Page 132 of Huntress

It took two trips with the supply cart and Saint carrying his cot to get everything they owned from their old room to the new one. Elsie rearranged the furniture to her liking, then put the cot against a wall.

“It’s too far away,” he complained, and she rolled her eyes.

“Like you’re actually going to use it?” she laughed. “It’s for show, anyway. The further away it is, the more believable our farce.”

Her books filled one of the four shelves, but she used one for the sewing patterns she’d created. Saint’s sword leaned against the shelf, his only contribution outside of his clothes and cot.

It didn’t take long to put everything away, and though the room appeared minimalist, it didn’t bother her. The empty spaces were an invitation to bring things home from their travels. Though she hoped they’d never have enough time to fill them.

As nice as the room was, she didn’t want to live in the compound, surrounded by demon hunters anymore. It was an itch that grew with each passing day, crawling under her skin and getting on her nerves.

“What now?” Saint asked when they’d finished.

Elsie grabbed the folder from her desk, then climbed into bed. Once she was comfortable, she patted the spot next to her. “Wanna read with me?”

He crawled over and sat in her lap, one leg on each side of hers. His forehead pressed to her shoulder, his wild curls blocking her view.

“What are you doing?” she laughed. “This is not what I meant, I can’t see a thing.”

“You’re always working,” he complained. “We don’t have to leave for two days. Can’t we stay here and enjoy it?”

“What do you propose we do?”

“Nothing. Not one damn thing. Let me keep you to myself for a while.”

Elsie tossed the folder to the floor, then wrapped her arm around his shoulder. “Laziness for the rest of today granted, but we have to be productive for part of tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Because I have to select my team before Roz comes up with another mission and snipes whoever happens to be here tomorrow. Once that’s done, I’m on team lie around and do nothing.”

“Good.”

“Ugh, you’re so heavy! Can you move over, please? You’re too big to be on top.”

He did as she asked without question, sitting with his back against the headrest like she was doing. As soon as he did, she reversed their positions, straddling his lap instead. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled in close, sighing with satisfaction when he pinned her in place.

“See? We fit better this way.” Her thumb brushed the back of his neck.

“Skin contact is okay now?” he asked.

“Today is an exception.” She sat back to see his face. “Because you were upset, and now you’re not. You needed this.”

“I’ll still need it tomorrow. And every day after.”

“Don’t push it.”

“How much is okay?” He leaned forward and kissed her. Brief. Testing.

“Saint,” she scolded softly. He did it again, lingering a few seconds longer. This time, when he pulled back, she followed. His lips parted slightly, and the kiss deepened. Elsie’s body reacted instinctively, fitting against him like a glove.

Saint found the hem of her shirt and slid his hand under it, fingers splayed across the small of her back. She clung to him, lips moving in a rhythm only they knew. His tongue ran across her bottom lip experimentally, and she gasped, breaking away to look into his eyes.

“Too far?” he whispered.

“Yes, but I don’t care.” Elsie knew this was a mistake that would make their daily lives more miserable, but she shoved those thoughts away. She was tired of fighting against her desire for him.

Their mouths clashed greedily, tongues teasing, teeth nipping. They ravaged each other, the intoxicating fire they shared building to an inferno. Elsie whimpered when she felt his hard length growing between her thighs. She pressed herself deeper into his lap, hating every layer of clothing between them.