That’s all it takes.I kiss her hard, like I’ve been holding back for too damn long… because I have.
My bear surges forward, his low growl rumbling in my chest as I lift her effortlessly and carry her from the bathroom to the bedroom.
She laughs softly against my mouth, her fingers threading through my hair, holding me close.“I love you,” she breathes.
The words hit me like a punch to the chest in the best way.
“I love you too,” I answer instantly, no hesitation, no doubt, because it’s the easiest truth I’ve ever spoken.
I lay her down gently, my hands roaming over her, memorizing every inch of her, reminding myself that she’s real.She’s here.She chose me.
Her fingers trace over my shoulders, chest, and scars.Her touch holds no hesitation, no fear.Only trust, only love, and that undoes me more than anything else.
I press my forehead to hers, breathing her in.“My mate.”
“Your mate,” she agrees softly.
The bond between us hums, warm and steady, wrapping around us like something alive.
Unbreakable.
I kiss her again, slower this time, deeper.I savor her, savor this moment.There’s no rush now.We have forever.
Her body relaxes into mine as I pull her over me.I press a kiss to her hair and hold her tighter.She sighs, completely relaxed, completely safe, completely mine.
“Knox?”she murmurs huskily.
My cock grinds against her as she moves her hips.“Yeah, little one?”
“I need you,” she moans.
My chest tightens, emotion thick in my throat.“You have me.I’m yours.All yours.”
She smiles against my chest, gripping my shoulders as she angles her hips and sinks down on my length.We both hold our breath.
As she takes me an inch at a time, I realize something.
For the first time since I came back to Night Grove Falls, I’m not alone.
I have her, I have a home, I have a future.And I’ll spend every damn day making sure she never doubts that she belongs here.
With me.
Forever.
TWELVE
Daisy
Five Years Later…
I knowsomething is off the second I wake up.
It’s not bad, just… different.Subtle.A strange flutter low in my stomach.A heaviness in my limbs that has me lingering in bed longer than usual, even though I can already hear the chaos downstairs.Little feet pounding across the hardwood.A shriek of laughter.
“Daddy!No!”
Knox’s deep rumble follows, playful and warm.“You started it, troublemaker.”
