Page 116 of Priest

Her brow lifted. “That’s very… evolved of you.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

A corner of her mouth curved, and I took that small smile for the opening it was.

“I was thinking,” I continued carefully, “while I’m in town, I could stay close. Not in your way. Just close.”

“Close like next door?” she teased.

“Close like if you need something at two in the morning, I’m not two towns away.”

She studied me, her expression caught somewhere between suspicion and softness. “And if I don’t need anything?”

“Then I’ll still be nearby.”

Her foot nudged lightly against my ribs, her mouth curving like she could see straight through me. “You’re being very casual for a man who sounds like he’s hoping I’ll invite him to stay.”

I kept my hands on her foot, thumbs moving slow. “I got the motel so you wouldn’t feel cornered.”

“That wasn’t a denial.”

“No,” I admitted. “It wasn’t.”

Her eyes narrowed with playful suspicion, but there was warmth tucked behind it now. “That’s not very romantic.”

“I didn’t say I was aiming for romantic.”

Her foot pressed harder, pushing at me. “You’re infuriating.”

I caught her ankle before she could kick again and tugged gently, pulling her toward me just enough that she had to climb into my lap, bracing her hands on my shoulders to steady herself.

The air between us changed—charged, electric—as if someone had flipped a switch.

Blue froze, her eyes locking with mine. Whatever playful challenge had been there melted away, leaving something deeper, more vulnerable. Her lips parted just a little, her breathing quickening. I felt the rise and fall of her chest, pressing into me with every inhale.

The shift hit me like a wave. I could feel her warmth through the thin fabric of her shirt, the faint citrusy-clean scent of her shampoo filling my head. My hands went to her waist without thinking, steadying her—holding, but not trapping.

"Blue…" My voice came out rougher than I meant.

She didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned in closer, her rounded belly pressing gently between us—a barrier and a bridge all at once. I felt clumsy for a second, suddenly hyperaware of how much space she took up in my arms, how much I wanted to get this right for her, for us.

Blue looked at me, eyes soft, her mouth curving just slightly. “You always gonna stare like that?” she murmured.

“Always goin’ to want to remember every detail,” I said, letting my hand slide up her side, slow and careful. “Feels like I missed a whole lifetime.”

Her smile softened. She touched my face lightly. “Then start making up for lost time.”

I kissed her—gentle at first, letting her set the pace. She tasted like hope, like home. I let my hands learn her again, tracing the new lines of her body, the stretch of skin over her belly. I moved slow, watching her face for any sign to stop. She only held my gaze, steady, certain, her breaths turning shallow as she tangled her fingers in my hair.

We made our way to her bedroom, the air charged with laughter and heat. When she turned to face me, I caught her by the hips, backing her gently toward the bed. She grinned, eyes daring me to follow through, and I didn’t hesitate—claiming her mouth with mine as we crossed the threshold, making it clear exactly who she belonged to tonight.

I broke the kiss just long enough to watch her sink onto the edge of the bed, her hair falling loose, her eyes bright and hungry. I knelt between her knees, hands braced on her thighs, feeling the strength there, the softness. My gaze dropped to her belly—so damn beautiful and undeniably mine—and something hot and protective twisted inside me.

“You’re stunning,” I muttered, voice thick. I let my hands roam up her sides, under her shirt, savoring every new curve, every inch of skin I’d been aching for.

She tugged me closer, impatience in the curl of her fingers at my collar. “Priest…I need you”

I grinned, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Patience Bluebell, I have all night to enjoy you.” I kissed her again—deeper this time, all my longing and promise pressed into her mouth.