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Araneae
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WITH THE FRENCH DOORS open and the sound of the ocean below, I turned off the bedroom lights as I walked toward the big bed. The dark stare of the man waiting for me was upon me even if I couldn’t quite see it in the darkness. Beyond the balcony, the moon reflected off the waves. Lower still, the swimming pool waited, its water glowing with different colors of lights. It was where I’d spent most of the day with Goldie and everyone else.
We’d had our beach day and would be here for more before heading back to Chicago.
“This was a great idea,” I said, placing one knee on the bed and climbing in.
Sterling’s large hand reached for mine, lifting my knuckles to his lips. “I’ve listened to the recording of your meeting with Walsh a couple of times. He was wrong, you know.”
Lying back on the soft pillows, I looked up at the ceiling, trying to recall all that was said. “I don’t remember.”
Sterling moved closer, his body and warmth beside me. “I trust you, Araneae. I trust you with my life, the life of our family, friends, associates. I trust you with the city. You are my queen.”
A smile came to my lips as I turned and faced him, our noses almost touching. “I trust you too, Sterling.”
“It might seem...” he said. “The people around you...the reason they were there...”
I lifted my finger to his lips.
“They were there for my protection, for my safety. It wasn’t about trust. I knew that. Neither Walsh nor anyone else can make me doubt you. From the first day we met, you’ve been a tad overprotective.”
I saw his smile in the moonlight.
“Yes,” I said, “overprotective. More than a tad. That doesn’t mean you don’t trust me. It means you love me because I’m yours and you’re mine.”
Sterling rolled us until he was over me, his legs between mine, our sparse clothing the only barrier between my core and his growing erection. “You are mine.”
I nodded.
Our lips came together as the heat between us built. Our tongues found one another as our hands roamed. I couldn’t get enough as my touch went over his wide shoulders, toned chest, firm abdomen, and tight ass. I wasn’t the only one with wandering hands.
Our clothing disappeared.
In some ways this had become a ritual.
Fires and dangers would come in our world.
It was what it was.
They would come and they would go.
Once we could look at them from the other side, it was our turn to ensure the health and safety of the other. That’s what we were doing.
Touching.
Assuring.
Loving.
Our lovemaking was slow and steady.
We both climbed mountains and dove to the depths of the sea. Our bodies were familiar with one another in a way that made our hearts pound and breath stutter. Our flesh covered with perspiration, and yet we continued our primitive dance until we were both too tired to move.
Lying in his arms, I looked at Sterling as he asked, “Do you ever think back to the first time we met?”
I nodded against his chest. “I was thinking about it on my way to meet Walsh.” I sat up, staring down into his sexy dark gaze. “I was thinking that you’ve shown me the truth behind the secrets and lies. We’ve made each other promises and said vows... and...”
“And?”
“And I wouldn’t change a minute. I will always be here for you. I only ask one thing.”
“Anything, sunshine.”
“Never leave me and Goldie.”
“That is a deal I can agree to.”
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THE END of VOWS
“A Web of Sin Novella”
I hope you enjoyed VOWS. If you already knew Sterling and Araneae, I hope you’ve experienced the same feelings I did while writing—smiles at returning to the tower, the love of a reunion, and the joy at a homecoming.
If this is your first experience with Sterling Sparrow, you can binge the entire series, all four trilogies. Begin today with Web of Sin, book one, SECRETS—free on all sales platforms.
Sparrow trilogies include:
Web of Sin – SECRETS, LIES, and PROMISES (Sterling and Araneae’s story)
Tangled Web – TWISTED, OBSESSED, and BOUND (Mason and Dr. Laurel’s story)
Web of Desire – SPARK, FLAME, and ASHES (Patrick and Madeline’s story)
AND
Dangerous Web – (prequel- “Danger’s First Kiss” – free) DUSK, DARK, and DAWN (Reid and Lorna’s story)
All complete. All ready to binge. Start today!
For a complete listing of all of Aleatha’s published novels, including her newest series, The Sin Series, check out her website.