Page 40 of Guarded By My Mate

My chest squeezes.God, I love this man.

He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear.“You tired?”

“A little.”

“Then come here.”

I laugh softly.“I am here.”

“Closer.”

I shift in the rocking chair as he stands, then crouches in front of me again, like he did earlier.Only this time, instead of arguing with me about work, he gently takes my hands and spreads them over my belly.Then he presses his forehead there.

For a second, I stop breathing.The sight of him like this, my huge, dangerous bear shifter bowed over me with such tenderness it hurts to look at, cracks something open inside me every single time.

His beard scratches softly against the fabric of my dress as he turns his head and kisses my stomach.“You takin’ care of my girl in there?”

“Daddy,” Rosie shouts from the yard.“The baby’s a boy.”

Logan glances up at me with a smirk.

I chuckle.“Apparently, that’s been decided.”

He kisses my belly again, then looks up at me, his eyes so full of love that I can barely stand it.

“Come on.I’ll make us something to eat and then rub your feet while you read.”

“Ah, my perfect evening,” I sigh.

He smiles.“Anything for my mate.”

He pulls me to my feet, and I push up on my tiptoes to kiss him slowly and sweetly.He bends to meet me halfway, one hand braced on the arm of the chair while the other settles on the back of my neck.

By the time we pull apart, I’m smiling.Something flashes in his eyes, something fierce and soft and wholly mine.Then he nods and heads over to the creek to get Rosie.

I watch as he gathers her up in his arms and carries her back to the house.He tickles her, and she giggles, squirming in his hold.

My heart melts in my chest as I watch my mate and my daughter.

The late afternoon sun glows warmly through the trees, painting the yard in honeyed light.The rocking chair moves softly beneath me, and for a while, I sit there with one hand on my belly and let gratitude wash over me.

Five years ago, I had nothing.No home, no safety, no plan or idea of the future I wanted.Now I have more than I ever knew to dream of.A mate who still watches me like I’m the center of his world.A daughter who fills every corner of this cabin with laughter.Another baby on the way.Friends who became family.A purpose that matters.And a place where people arrive broken and scared and leave knowing they aren’t alone.

Midnight Haven isn’t just where Logan found me.It’s what we built together after.It’s a refuge, a home, a promise.

I follow Logan and Rosie inside and pause as I stare at the photo from our wedding day hanging in the living room.I think about the woman I used to be.The girl who ran into these woods was terrified, bruised, and desperate for escape.

If she could see me now, I think she’d hardly believe it.

I smile, following my family into the kitchen.For the millionth time since Logan claimed me, I’m grateful that I decided to stay and give this a shot.If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have all this.The perfect partner, the perfect daughter, the perfect home, the best friends, and a job.All this is thanks to my guardian angel.

As if he can sense me thinking about him, Logan looks over at me.Our eyes meet and lock, and he gives me a slow smile, one that’s full of promises.

I eagerly return it, knowing that whatever he has planned will be perfect.

* * *