Page 70 of Tears of Gold

He snorts, but a wide smile spreads across his face. “We are Faircloughs. Of course we are at war.”

“Hmm.”

“Ready? Now I know it’s not the same as the studio at the Mews but it’s a start until I can get something built out back.” He pushes open the door and I look inside, my mouth dropping open.

“How the hell did you get this done without me knowing?”

“I’ll never reveal my secrets.”

I step around him. The walls and ceilings are bright with a simple white coat of paint. A large tilting design desk has been placed under one of the skylights. “Hold on, there weren’t spotlights in here the other day.” I stare up above me in confusion. The ceiling is spotted with embedded spotlights.

“Simple really, just a dropped ceiling and wiring.”

“Thank you.” Tears prickle my eyes. When exactly am I going to stop crying? I hope it’s bloody soon.

Eli steps closer until we are toe to toe and his fingers tilt my chin. “Maybe it will inspire something.”

“I hope so.”

“You’re blocked again, aren’t you?”

I nod, the damn tears building. “I hate it.”

“You’ve been through a lot, Faith. The last few weeks haven’t been easy on any of us.”

I shoot him a small smile. “I’m waiting for us to catch a break.”

His hand slides down my stomach, palming my skin. “We just did.”

“When are you going to paint again? You haven’t touched a paintbrush for months. I don’t want you to lose your fire, either.”

“I haven’t.” Leaning forward, he brushes his lips against mine. “Now Melanie has received justice I can breathe.”

“I’m so proud of you.”

“That means everything.”

His lips find mine again, hungry and hot. My fingers work their way to my favourite place at the back of his hair in the little groove at the top of his neck where his hairline curls slightly. The kiss deepens and a familiar kindle of warmth flourishes in the pit of my tummy.

“Hold on,” he mumbles against my mouth. “I have something else for you.”

“I know what I want.” Heat is pooling between my legs and I know I won’t be satisfied until he gives me the release I need, until I can lose myself in him, deep and hard.

Breaking the kiss, he heads to the desk where a black box is sat on one corner. “This is so you know your life from Brighton is never over.”

I meet his gaze as he places the box in my hands.

I know what it is even before I open it. A tattoo kit. “Eli, thank you, but I don’t want to do this anymore.”

“I want you to ink me again.”

“Eli.”

“Please. Brand me with today, with us, with what we will be, Faith.”

A tear splatters onto the box. “You have too much belief in me.”

“I have enough for the both of us, because you are the one who gave me the faith I needed.”