A Second Past Midnight (The Sentinels)

by Melinda Hunter

  “I’m such an idiot,” he said to himself. Arrigo let out a sigh and moved to look for the whiskey bottle that he typically used to drown out his mind, only it was empty.

  “Fuck.” He mumbled to himself a few other unintelligible things and without bothering to undress, he rolled over to go to sleep.

  Chapter 7.

  Arrigo moaned as Sana rubbed the bulge in his pants. He had dreamed of her touching him again a thousand times, but each time he woke up to find the disappointment of it having been a dream. Now he wished more than ever that it was real, but if it wasn’t, he never wanted to wake.

  Opening his eyes, he couldn’t see anything in the darkness. He could only feel her body pressed against his and while he wanted to see her, he would accept her touch for now. He couldn’t believe that she had come to him like this. There were questions that he wanted to ask, but his scattered thoughts kept coming back to the moment at hand and he could only revel in it.

  Sana released the button to his jeans and reached inside. The feel of her thin fingers against his cock almost made him come.

  “Mmmm,” he moaned. She continued to stroke him and then her lips found his. The exquisite taste of her hadn’t changed one bit.

  Without warning, his cheek stung. She had slapped him.

  “Sana!” he shouted. He sat up in the bed only to realize it had been a dream. Again. He lay alone in the darkness.

  Moments later the door to his room flew open and the light from the hallway illuminated the silhouette of an angel. Her long hair wrapped around her shoulders and he could see the curves of her body.

  “Arrigo?” she asked softly.

  “I woke you?” He had shouted out her name aloud and didn’t know it at first.

  Suddenly, blinded by the overhead light that Sana flipped on, he slammed his eyelids shut.

  “You could say that. I thought you were in the same room as loud as you yelled. Are you alright?” Sana walked toward him and as she approached, his breathing became ragged.

  “It’s nothing.” Arrigo shielded his eyes for a moment as they adjusted to the light.

  “Obviously it was something.” Sana dropped to her knees beside him and cupped his scarred cheek. The gentle touch that he felt was much different from that of the slap that he had just dreamed.

  Now able to see clearly, he saw her beautiful face and her mussed up hair. She looked perfect to him.

  “Were you dreaming?” She caressed his cheek and he could not control his desire for her any longer. Every nerve ending in his body ached for her and he needed to be sated.

  Arrigo pulled her into a scorching kiss. Their tongues danced as he held her against him. Damn, she tasted so good, but Sana started to push against his chest. He didn’t want to let go of her, but she punched one fist against his chest and he knew the moment had ended.

  “Arrigo, please,” she pleaded.

  Releasing her, he scooted away and tensed. He guessed she would slap him and he deserved it.

  “Go ahead and hit me. I deserve it.” He turned his head away from her, bracing for the impact of her punishment.

  “Why would I hit you?”

  He opened his eyes and looked at her. “I deserve it for what I did to you.”

  “What you did to me? No, please don’t say that.” Sana scooted closer to him on the bed as she reached for him, but he flinched. What had happened to her fearless man? He had always been the one to comfort her and lead her. This seemed so strange to her to see him cower away. That must have been one hell of a bad dream.

  Sana pulled her hand back only to realize that he truly expected her to unleash on him. Had she been that cruel to him? She remembered that she told him to leave, but only because she couldn’t understand how he would want to stay with her after the miscarriage.

  Not a day went by that Sana didn’t think of the baby. The baby meant the world to her even though she was only twenty-one weeks along. She had just left a doctor’s appointment when the pains began and she blacked out.

  By the time she woke up in the hospital, the baby had died and she couldn’t face Arrigo. She couldn’t think of telling him that the baby was a girl because it was hard enough for her to think of their daughter.

  Pushing him away was the only way she knew to deal with it. She honestly wished she had died too so that she didn’t have the pain. Sana finally told him off, hoping he would leave her alone.

  It worked all too well, because he left on assignment and never returned.

  “Just let me out and I’ll be fine on my own. I’ve hurt you too much to put you at risk.” She couldn’t keep the tears back and they flowed down her cheeks like rivers. Sana turned to get up, but Arrigo grabbed her arm.

  In an instant, she saw Arrigo’s expression change. His blue eyes entranced her as his brow furrowed.

  “Woman, you haven’t hurt me near enough,” Arrigo growled. Confusion clouded her mind as Arrigo pulled her toward him and when his lips touched hers, the chaotic thoughts left her. And just like that, her fearless knight had peered out from behind his shield. She wanted him to hold her again and to love her even if she didn’t understand everything right now.

  Arrigo pulled her on top of him and pressed her body against his. She could feel the bulge in his pants and the electricity in her body spiked with every skim of his hand across her skin. Arrigo rolled so that she lay beneath him, but he suddenly moved away.

  “Where are you going?” she whispered.

  “Our room.” Arrigo grasped her hand and pulled her up. Leading her out of the room, he took her back to the master bedroom.

  Sana had left the lamp on the side table on, so there was a soft glow to the room. Arrigo sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled Sana toward him so that she stood between his legs.

  “I want you to take your clothes off.” Arrigo’s deep voice echoed through her bones. She could feel her breasts tighten and moisture pool between her legs. She wanted him badly and she was willing to do anything that he wanted.

  Slowly, Sana pulled her sweater up over her head to reveal her bare breasts, but there hanging around her neck was his dog tag. His frozen and hardened heart skipped a beat. Could she still love him? He wanted to say so much to her right then, but where to start?

  Leaning to her, he pressed his head against her waist. Arrigo had lost her once. He didn’t know if he could bear her leaving again. Sana ran her fingers through his hair and when he heard her speak his heart thawed.

  “I need you,” she whispered.

  Arrigo let out a sigh and looked up to find her smiling at him. There would be time to talk later. He would make sure of that, but right now, he wanted to show her how much he was the one that needed her.

  “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. Her nipples hardened at the idea of his hands on them, but he didn’t touch her. “Now those jeans have to go.”

  Sana couldn’t help but note the half grin on his face as she pushed the denim down her legs and as she took one leg out Arrigo steadied her by holding her waist. Finally, his hands were touching her bare skin.

  First, his fingers lingered at the small scar from the gunshot wound she had lived through five years earlier. Sana still hated that she had been so stupid then. Focusing on the present and the fact that hours ago she had thought Arrigo was dead. Sana wanted to get lost in the moment and forget about the past.

  “Arrigo I need you inside of me.”

  He growled in response and then ran his hands over her hips and down her thighs. Slowly, he moved them back up so that his thumbs brushed over the small crisp hairs between her legs. She let out a moan of anticipation. It had been two years since he had touched her and she felt as if it wouldn’t take much for her to lose control.

  Sana had her hands on his shoulders and couldn’t stop herself from pulling on his shirt. She wanted to tear it off his body so that she could touch him. Forcefully, she tugged on the shirt until he stopped touching her long enough to help her remove it.

  She wanted hi
s pants off so she reached for the zipper, yet he had other ideas. Arrigo clutched her breasts in his hands and took one nipple into his mouth. His tongue swirled around the hardened bud and Sana threw her head back as a surge of energy shot through her body.

  As if that weren’t enough though, he slid one hand down between her legs and thrust a finger inside of her. Sana moaned from his touch and when Arrigo pulled his hand back and thrust it inside her again, she came. The orgasm rippled through her, leaving her body trembling and she had to lean against the bed to steady herself.

  Embarrassment blanketed her and she wanted to hide.

  “Has it been that long since you’ve been touched?” he whispered. He couldn’t imagine her going so long that merely a touch would have pushed her over the edge. She hid her face in her hands and he could see that she felt ashamed.

  “Baby, don’t hide from me. Please.” Arrigo pulled her to his lap. “How long has it been?” he asked.

  “Since you left,” she whispered. Sana hadn’t touched herself let alone a man all this time. She didn’t feel like she deserved it.

  “You’re stronger than I am,” Arrigo whispered back. “You shouldn’t feel ashamed. You’re not the one that did it yourself the last two years.”

  Sana perked up and looked into his eyes. “You mean you haven’t been with anyone else?”

  Shaking his head, he smiled. “No and trust me my arm isn’t nearly as fun as you.”

  Arrigo stared up at her. “All better now?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to go. I—”

  “Shhh. Not now, Sana. I want to make you scream first. Then I will beg for forgiveness.” Arrigo didn’t want to talk about the past. It was gone and nothing could be done about their mistakes. Only the present mattered.

  Tasting every square inch of her body, he savored her. Her skin was sweet as ever and he couldn’t wait to sink his cock into her. Arrigo moved over her nipping at her fingers and toes, bringing out squeals from her that he had longed to hear. She begged for him to stop, but when he did she asked for more. He laughed at her indecision and forced her legs wide apart.

  “Let me see you.” Arrigo rubbed his hand over her cleft and she cried out as his fingertip touched her most intimate spot. “That’s it, baby. I want you to come for me.”

  And with that, he sank his tongue deep inside her. Damn, she tasted good. Her body wanted this and he would not deny it. Running his tongue the length of her opening he licked and teased her more. She cried out as she came again and he continued the onslaught of attention to her body.

  “Please!” Sana tugged at his shoulders with her fingertips.

  He couldn’t even respond as his cock pressed so hard against his zipper that it hurt. Finally, he couldn‘t take it any longer and rose to push off his pants.

  “Now it’s my turn,” Sana said seductively. Sitting on her knees, she reached up to grasp him. Arrigo sucked in a sharp breath as her hand encircled the girth of him. Gently, she stroked the length of him up and down.

  The feeling exhilarated him and it was definitely better than when he had to masturbate. Arrigo let his head fall back to his shoulders as she continued, and then he felt the heat of her mouth surrounding him.

  Quickly, he looked down to see her take him into her mouth. The sight made him strain to keep control. He had waited years for her to want him again and for her to express her desire like this made his pulse rapid.

  “You. Have. To. Stop.” He growled. When she pulled free of him, he almost collapsed. The fact that her mouth was so wicked that she could bring him to his knees only pleased him.

  Arrigo pushed her back onto the bed and crawled on top of her, but he realized he didn’t have any condoms.

  “Shit.” Arrigo dropped his head.

  “What!” Sana lifted his head so their gaze met.

  “I don’t have any condoms,” Arrigo muttered.

  Sana smiled and bit her lower lip. It reminded her of the first time they were together. He didn’t have any then either.

  “You’re my husband aren’t you?” she asked.

  Arching one brow, he replied. “Yes I am.” He didn’t take his eyes off her as he reached between her legs and drove two fingers inside of her.

  “Oh!” she cried.

  Sana reached up and dug her nails into his shoulders as he fucked her with his fingers. Arrigo wasn’t going to have her coming again just yet, though. Pressing against her, he slowly pushed himself inside of her. The warmth that surrounded amazed him.

  “You are so tight and hot,” he said. It felt like the first time with her all over again.

  “Arrigo, please don’t stop,” she begged. He rocked against her body and it didn’t take long before he could tell that Sana would come again. This time he would join her.

  Once she reached her jumping off point again and cried out, it only took a final thrust and Arrigo came with a roar. Collapsing, he tried to keep some of his weight off her, but he knew his strength was gone so he rolled to the side.

  Arrigo gathered Sana into his arms and cradled her there against his body. She nestled up against him and he could feel every curve of her body. The moment was indescribable. His heart felt whole again.

  ****

  Sana woke to the feeling of Arrigo’s hand rubbing her back. She couldn’t believe that fate had brought them together again. She only hoped that they could stay together this time.

  “That feels so good,” she whispered. Sana reached behind her to touch Arrigo only to find him fully clothed.

  Turning toward him, she saw he wore black pants and a long sleeve black shirt. Sticking out her lower lip, she pouted.

  “That’s not fair. I can’t touch you,” she whined.

  “Trust me I’d rather be naked and bending you like a pretzel right now, but I have to go to work.” Arrigo’s brown hair hung loose around his face and slightly covered the scar on his cheek, yet he looked so delectable right then. It was a shame that he had to go, but she knew that he must.

  “What time is it?”

  “Six. You’ve only been asleep a few hours so you can go back to bed. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but it might be a while. I have to escort Hess to a meeting and its downtown.” Arrigo rubbed one of his hands over her exposed breast and Sana arched her back in response.

  “You don’t mind if I stay?” Sana pulled the covers over her body and could tell that Arrigo didn’t really like that by his furrowed brow.

  He slid one hand under the covers and pulled her closer. “I would rather you stay. You’ll be safe here and besides I think we have some catching up to do when I get back.”

  “Okay. Do you promise to come back?”

  “I absolutely will come home later. I sort of live here, most days anyway.” Arrigo let out a sigh, but before Sana could ask what troubled him he rose.

  “I have to go, but you have free reign of the house. I will secure the locks and alarm. There’s plenty of food in the kitchen. You know I can’t live without lots of food so you should be able to find anything that you could want. I’ll let Williams know that you aren’t coming to work today, but I won’t be able to call you until I’ve left Tecktar premises so don’t worry, okay?” Arrigo turned and started toward the door.

  “Arrigo!” Sana blurted with a crackled voice. She stopped there because she feared that a fountain of emotions would bubble over and completely ruin the moment.

  He darted back to her side and pulled her into a kiss the likes of which she had never known. Their mouths were entangled for what seemed to be an eternity. Finally, Arrigo pulled away.

  Leaning to her ear, he whispered. “I love you. I always have and always will. I need you.”

  Sana swallowed hard at his declaration. He swiftly left the room, so she couldn’t verbally respond, but her heart on the other hand, raced. What kind of love must that be? She didn’t know how he could still love her but she planned on sticking around to find out what made her so lucky.

  Rolling back over
on her pillow, she recalled the first time he had told her he loved her and it made her smile for two reasons. First, he had been furious with her and second, because he had asked her to marry him.

  An uncontrollable yawn came upon her and she realized that even with the recent adrenaline rush she needed to sleep.

  Chapter 8.

  Arrigo didn’t want to leave the house today, but he had to. The agency had worked too long to bust Tecktar’s various crimes against humanity. He had played a crucial part in that work too. He had successfully infiltrated the security of the company as a hired gun. There were things that he had seen and done while undercover that made his stomach churn, but he knew it was all for the greater good.

  Right now, though, none of it mattered. Sana mattered to him and he wanted to walk into Tecktar and just kill them all. Admittedly, it would be simpler, yet he wouldn’t be any better than they were.

  Arrigo drove on to pick Hess up at his estate and escort him to the meeting in downtown New York. A day like this had become the norm for Arrigo. Meetings, searches, and constantly looking behind his back were just a few of the things that he had come to know on a daily basis.

  Today’s meeting simply consisted of Arrigo being a guard dog. Upon arrival at the Bank of America Tower in Times Square Arrigo couldn’t manage to focus his thoughts on the task at hand. Instead, his mind wandered, remembering how Sana had felt in his arms last night. It seemed to have erased the pain of loneliness away, but he feared that she would push him away again. Even so, just getting to spend a little time with her would be worth the heartache.

  Arrigo escorted Hess to the seventeenth floor of the Tower and went into a conference room with him. There were half a dozen suits in the room and Arrigo could tell by the attendees that this was would be a boring business meeting. That only meant he would have the entire day to think of Sana which would drive him crazy.