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“Safe.” I gasp against his feverish mouth. “I’m safe.”
“I’ll do everything in my power to keep you that way.”
“Why?” My head spins, and I wonder if his kisses are screwing with my equilibrium. “At the risk of sounding ungrateful, why are you doing this? I’ve done an okay job protecting myself.”
“You’re right. You’re so fierce and strong, you don’t need protection. But you deserve it.”
A wet sting blooms behind my eyes, and no amount of blinking will stop it. My gaze flickers away.
“Frankie.”
I glance back at him, hoping I can stow my spiraling feelings out of sight. I’ll evaluate my mental state later, when I’m not face-to-face with chocolate eyes and pouty lips.
He’s so beautiful. So unexpected. I press my thumb to the whiskered cleft of his chin, indulging in the freedom to touch him.
I stroke the severe angles of his face, the bristles on his cheeks, and at last, the thick hair on his head. Cold and damp with snow, the coarse black strands curl around my fingers.
Just like the coat of a black bear.
I know this because Monty paid a flashy amount of money at a charity auction for a black bear skin rug.
He loved to fuck me on that thing, and the memory stings.
“What’s wrong?” Kody turns his head and bites the exposed skin on my wrist.
“Nothing.” I won’t give my cheating husband another inch of space in my thoughts.
He narrows his eyes. “We need to go. I don’t have the energy to kick Leo’s ass again, which will happen if he comes looking for us.”
Agreeing, I slide off his lap and immediately miss his warmth.
“Hey.” Standing, he tugs me back against him. “Denver will not touch you.”
“Of course, he will. He’ll come for me and—”
“One of us will be there.”
“Every second of every day?”
“Exactly. You won’t be alone again.”
“That’s impossible. What about when I shower? Or when I use the toilet?”
“If a separation is made between you and us, no one is safe. Remember that.”
“But—”
“No buts. You’ll have eyes on you at all times. Tell me you understand.”
I sigh, too tired to argue. “I understand.”
“No more running alone.” Grabbing my pack, he dusts off the snow and straps it onto my back.
“Got it.”
“And no more drinking.”
I laugh. “That’s rich coming from the guy who makes vodka. Also, it’s a hard no.”
“A compromise, then.” He plucks my gloves from my pockets. “Less drinking. More eating.”
The gentle way he slides the gloves onto my frozen hands pairs so fucking well with his dominant side. I can’t help but stare up at him with affection in my eyes.
Until he delivers his next command.
“If you sleep with my brothers, do it for you and no one else.”
“I’m sorry…what?”
“You heard me.” He paces off in the direction of the cabin, leaving me glaring at the crossbow and quiver on his back.
What just happened?
Reeling, I run to catch up.
“How can you kiss me like that…?” I gesture at the outcrop behind us. “Like…”
“Like what?” He wings up a brow without slowing his long-legged gait.
“Like…”
Like it means something? Like he’s staking his claim? Like…
What am I saying? He’s never been with a woman, and he was enthusiastic. It was just lust. He very clearly said he doesn’t love me. But still…
“You kissed me like you wanted me, but you’re fine with me fucking your brothers?”
“I’m finding that…” He pauses, studies the dark trail, and lifts his bottomless eyes to mine. “I deeply care about your happiness. If my brothers make you happy…”
“What about your happiness?”
“Let me worry about that.” He resumes his pace, stalking away.
I watch him as he goes, each footfall intentionally placed, stomping down the snow to make the path easier for me to follow.
Because he’s a good man, protective and thoughtful and dependable. The sort of man who doesn’t feel powerful by controlling a woman but rather by lifting her up.
If there’s a soul mate out there for me, if such a thing exists, I always imagined mine would be like that.
He would give me the window seat on the plane because it’s the best seat. He would sleep in the wet spot without complaint. He would save me the last cookie, massage my back when I’m upset, and encourage me to pursue my career or whatever makes me happy, even if it steals time away from him.
I will know he’s the one when his imperfect love fits together perfectly with mine.
Maybe if we weren’t trapped in hell, if we were free to pursue wistful things like love, Kody could be the one for me. Or Leo. Or Wolf.
Can a girl have more than one soul mate?
Don’t go there, you greedy bitch. You’re done with love, remember?
I slap away the senseless musings and hurry after him.
Miles from the cabin, we set a steady pace. A brisk jog that vaporizes our breaths into white clouds. His silent company gives me time to rebuild my walls and fortify my headspace in preparation for what awaits at the cabin.
