Franco’s breath came in deep and heavy. He rolled them over, pressing Petty into the corner, lifting her chin as he claimed her mouth, sweeping his tongue against hers with unapologetic heat.
He didn’t let up, kissing her until her thoughts scattered.
Petty was left breathless, her mind wiped clean. She couldn’t even think. She could only give in and let Franco take control.
The hem of her shirt was pulled free of her waistband, leaving her skin tingling in the cool air.
“Ah…” She gasped, her whole body shivering at the sudden pain.
Franco paused, eyes dropping to her face, her brows drawn together. That had to be from last night, he realized, when he hadn’t held back.
He gently cradled her neck and leaned in again, kissing her until her lips were swollen, pink, and trembling. When he finally let go, he cupped the back of her head, pressing her cheek to his chest. His heartbeat pounded faster than usual beneath her ear, steady and real.
He tugged his army jacket up from where it had slipped and draped it over her shoulders, cocooning her in warmth.
Neither of them said a word. The only sounds were their shaky breaths and the wind screaming outside.
After a long silence, Franco finally spoke, his voice low and rough.
“Go to sleep.”
But how could Petty sleep now? Cuddled in his arms, all she could do was replay old memories, especially that ID photo from ten years ago. Frustration simmered just beneath her skin.
Franco stretched one leg out, bent the other, and gazed down at her. Her eyelashes flickered as she fought exhaustion. He leaned his head back against the wall. “If you’re not tired, we can always find something else to do until you are.”
There was no way she wasn’t tired. She wasn’t like Franco, who seemed to run on endless energy. After a whole night of his attention, her eyelids kept fluttering shut. If it weren’t for her empty stomach, she never would have woken up in the first place.
Soon enough, Franco could hear her slow, steady breathing as she finally drifted off, and the hint of a smile softened his lips. He let his own eyes fall closed, still holding her close.
The wind could scream itself raw outside—inside his arms, she finally slept.

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