Masters at Arms (Rescue Me Saga, #0.5)(28)

“Can’t your family help?”

“No.” She turned toward him and brushed a lock of hair off his forehead. “Don’t ask. It’s complicated.”

But why wouldn’t her family help her make a better life? Damián had come from a supportive, loving family. They didn’t have two nickels to rub together, but Mama had made sure they had food in their bellies, even if they had to eat tamales twice a day. Mama and Papa had both worked themselves into early graves, making money for the rich bastards in Rancho.

He decided to let it go.

Damián wondered if he’d ever see her again. Doubtful. They were worlds apart. But their bodies sure spoke the same language. Was there any chance they could date?

Yeah, right.

But he still had her with him now. Pulling Savannah into the curve of his body, he held her. She molded herself against him. Soon, he felt her breathing slow down and become more steady. She’d been through a lot in the last twenty-four hours. Her body needed sleep. He hadn’t gotten much sleep either, but was too wired to give in.

He’d have to get her back home soon. But what awaited her there? Did she even want to go back? She seemed in no hurry, that’s for sure.

Then what? He lifted a lock of hair from her bare shoulder, rubbing its silk between his thumb and forefinger. He’d never dated a blonde before. And he wouldn’t be dating this one either. Too different.

Just a few more hours and she’d be out of his life. His head grew heavy and he laid it down on the towel, pressing his forehead against the side of her head. So right. Would he ever hold something so perfect again? He wished….

Fuck! Damián jerked up. He’d fallen asleep. He looked outside the opening of the cave and saw the sun making its descent to the horizon. It would be dark within an hour. He needed to get her home.

Savannah stirred next to him, then looked up with sleep-filled eyes and smiled. His dick hardened. Damn. He couldn’t get enough of her. She reached up and placed her hand at the back of his head and pulled him toward her.

His lips met hers and tenderness soon turned to flames. She opened to him and he reached for her breast, kneading her soft flesh. What he really wanted was to sink himself inside her again.

Half an hour later, both of them breathing hard and sated, Damián sighed. He stood and reached down to pull her to her feet. She winced again and he remembered how bruised and sore she was after the beating. He hated the thought of anyone hurting her like that again. She reached out and brushed sand off his side.

He turned his finger in a circular motion. “Turn around.”

She did so and he brushed the sand off her, as well. Luckily, there wasn’t much there. “I think the water might be a little too cold for us to wash more of this off.”

“I’m fine.”

“The ride back might be a little uncomfortable.” He worried about her legs, but at least the welts were still covered with the bandages.

“I said I’m fine.” Her voice had taken on an edge.

Damián shrugged. Fine then. He picked up her underwear and dress, shook them out, and handed them to her. “Come on. Get dressed. We have to go before the tide comes in.”

He couldn’t help but notice the disappointment in her eyes. She didn’t seem any more anxious to end their time together than he did. No sense prolonging the inevitable, though. They dressed in silence, then he reached for her hand and she tucked it inside his. As he led her toward the entrance, he thought how right her hand felt in his.

Framed by the opening of the cave, the sun touched the top of the ocean on the horizon.

“Wait,” she whispered. He looked down at her and saw her skin softened to a pale pink by the glowing sun. Her face was filled with wonder, as if she’d never seen a more beautiful sunset. Well, neither had he. Watching it on her face.

When the glowing globe was but a memory, he turned her toward him. Tears again? Savannah broke his heart. He brushed the tears away with his thumbs, then cupped her face and lowered his mouth to meet hers. Feeling the quiver in her lips sent his dick throbbing again.

He kissed her sweetly, knowing they couldn’t stay. The tide would begin to roll in soon. When he pulled away, she smiled up at him. “Thank you for showing me your special place Damián.”

Uncomfortable, he grinned. “I have a new special place now. Wherever you are.”

She smiled back, a bittersweet smile. Somehow Damián knew this was goodbye. He lowered his lips to hers, needing one more taste of her before he took her back to her safe gated world.

Then he lifted her and carried her across the rocks to the beach. When he got to the steps, she protested his continuing to carry her, but she didn’t realize how often he had used these steps as his own personal gym. He could have carried her up and down them all day, especially the way he felt after their lovemaking.

“We should stop and get something to eat.” Some date he was! Hadn’t even thought about food all day.

“I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m not.” She was way too thin anyway.

Soon they sat over platters of enchiladas, rice, and beans. Savannah remained silent and barely made a dent in the food. She’d already begun to pull away from him. But he couldn’t take her back to a life as an escort, especially one who had so little regard for her own safety.

“You going to be okay at home?”