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“I know you're not him,” she said softly. “I trust you more than I've ever trusted anyone before. It's one of the reasons I love you, but believing in this, what we have”—she waved a hand between us— “trusting that it won’t go the same way.. it’s hard.”
A single tear tracked down her cheek. I thumbed it away, marveling at the trust she was placing in me. “Take all the time you need, sweetheart,” I murmured. “I've got nothing if not patience. And I'll be right here, waiting for you, for as long as it takes.” I flashed her a teasing grin. “I know that might surprise you coming from me after what we just did, how desperate I was for you.”
That drew a watery laugh from her. “You’re one of a kind, Emmett Furbane.” The warmth and affection in her voice made my heart swell.
I waggled my eyebrows. “All part of my charm, Wildflower.”
She laughed again, the bright, unguarded sound I loved so much, and I knew at that moment that I would move heaven and earth to keep her by my side for as long as she would have me.
I kissed her then, pouring every ounce of my love and devotion into the press of my lips against hers. She melted into me, hands fisting in my hair as she returned the kiss with equal fervor.
We made love again as the sun set outside the windows, the golden light painting our skin. It was slower this time, less urgent, but no less passionate. Every touch, every kiss was a vow, a promise of forever.
As we lay in the afterglow, Amber's head pillowed on my chest, a sense of rightness settled deep in my bones. This was where I belonged. With Amber. Everything else—the portals, the threat, the uncertainty of the future—faded into the background. At least for now.
“Thank you,” Amber murmured drowsily, her fingers tracing the skin over my heart.
“For what?” I asked, nuzzling her neck.
“For being patient with me. For understanding.”
I growled, tipping her chin up to meet my gaze. “You’re worth it. Never doubt that.”
We drifted off like that, wrapped around each other, our breaths syncing and our hearts beating as one. I knew the reprieve was temporary, that danger lurked on the horizon.
As I slipped into sleep, my last thought was a vow, a sacred oath whispered into the dark.
“I will always protect you,” I breathed against Amber's skin. “Always.”
Chapter 14
Amber
“Back to reality,” I muttered to myself as I stared at Emmett's name in the missed call log on my phone.
It was amazing how our relationship had grown in the last week, and I wanted nothing more than to continue building on the trust and understanding we had established.
My leg was still a little sore—particularly after the vigorous bedroom “workouts” Emmett had been putting me through—but it was healing nicely.
“Hey, Amber, it's me again. I was hoping we could grab dinner or something this week, but I understand if you're busy with work. Let me know when you're free, okay? I miss you.”
He missed me. A warm feeling spread through my chest at his words. I missed him too, and it had only been four hours since he’d left my bed.
I twirled a strand of my long red hair around my finger, a habit I'd developed whenever I thought of Emmett. He had burrowed his way into my heart so quickly, making me crave his presence like a physical ache.
Shaking my head, I forced myself to focus on the task at hand, burying myself in paperwork and reports as a distraction from the tumultuous emotions swirling within me.
It didn’t work.
My handsome, protective man consumed my every thought.
Being with Emmett meant embracing him and his entire world—a world filled with magic, bear shifters, and ancient responsibilities. It was a lot to take in.
Although I wanted to be part of his life, I needed to ensure what Emmett and I had was real before I let myself fall any deeper. Easier said than done when all I could think about was his warm brown eyes and muscular arms around me.
I loved him—I had no doubt about that—but I still carried the scars and insecurities from my relationship with Derek. That relationship had started well, too, although, if I were being honest, Derek and I never had the connection Emmett and I shared, which went far beyond the mating bond. I would’ve fallen for him, regardless.
Derek had never considered my wants and needs like Emmett did, but Emmett had made me a priority right from the start.
