“Were you scared?” Lawson asks quietly.
“Yes,” I say just as quietly.
“Were you hoping we would come?” He studies his feet.
“I was,” I say honestly.
“I wish we had,” he says, focusing on my face.
“I know.” I smile tenderly. “Were you scared? Confronting Frank?”
“Yes,” he says gruffly.
“I wish I could have been there with you.”
“I know,” he says.
“Then we’re even.” I tilt my head. “I’m proud of you. It couldn’t have been easy.”
“I was afraid I would revert to that little boy who wanted to please him. Not because he was good, but because he was the only one I had.”
“You didn’t, though,” I assume.
“No.” He looks away, pauses, and then meets my eyes. “I killed him. Hunter found out he was taking in other young kids to convert to his twisted pack.”
“Good. You did the right thing.” His body relaxes. “I wasn’t sad that Rylee killed Jenica.”
“You shouldn’t be. She was on a mission. One of you would have died.” He caresses my cheek. “You don’t know how scared I was when I realized it could have been you.”
I lean into his touch. “I was terrified you guys would be hurt meeting Frank. I didn’t think I had any threat to my life. I was shocked at first, then terrified I would die before becoming a jaguar. The life you promised me is too tempting to miss out on.”
“I’ve never felt this way.” He drags his thumb across my bottom lip, staring at it. “I want to hide you away and not allow anyone to see or touch you. My heart beats increase when you walk into a room, or touch me.” My lips tremble, and he glances up. “I was a wild animal, barely tamed the day we met. I wanted to fuck you against the wall and keep you to myself. Itfeels much longer than it’s been since that day, but I’ve changed. My brothers have protected me from myself and catered to me, hoping to make up for lost time. You make me feel normal, less broken.”
“Because you aren’t broken,” I whisper, and he drops his hand.
“I felt that way for a long time,” he confesses, rubbing his jaw. “I couldn’t see through the shit Frank heaped upon me. I hadn’t been with him for years, yet his words were still rattling around in my head. You give me silence, because all I can think about is you.”
“Lawson,” I rasp, pressing my palm against his chest.
“I asked Hunter what love felt like,” he says, and I smile slightly. “You are the only woman I’ve ever loved. I want to be with you all the time, even if it’s sitting beside you while you eat. I want to hear your laughter, see you smile, and smell your scent. I never thought I could have a family.” He sits up, picks up the food, and places it behind him. “Come here.” I scoot across the seat until I’m pressed against his legs. “I want to be your family. I never want you to feel the fear of abuse or loneliness again. I’ll always be a little wild, but I will protect you and the bond fiercely. I love you.” He kisses me lightly. “I’ll always be here for all your needs.”
I tuck my legs underneath me, kneel, and thread my fingers in his hair.
“I love you,” I whisper, leaning forward. “You were never broken. I could see the sadness that first day, and I wanted to ease the hurt. I’ve felt a deep pull toward you, but I didn’t know why then. Our childhoods were vastly different, yet we were both searching for a place to belong. Your brothers would fight all your battles for you, and so would I. But you are strong and resilient. You didn’t need us to confront Frank. The power is inside you to do anything you want. I always knew you would never hurt me, and I wanted to turn your nightmaresinto dreams of us.” I touch my forehead to his. “From this day forward, we live our lives for us, for the bond, and to be happy. No matter what life brings, we can face it together. I love you. I shiver every time you look at me with your soulful eyes. I'm not the reason the sadness is gone; it’s you. Today you faced the demon that haunted you. He can’t hurt you anymore. Your heart is capable of so much love, and I’m honored to be the one who gets to live inside it.” I slide my hands to his shoulders, lift my leg, and move onto his lap. He holds my hips as I settle close. “I won’t ever leave you. Your brothers will never leave you. This home will be filled with love and respect. I don’t want to change you as you are the man I fell in love with.” I kiss him, folding my arms behind his neck. He takes over, sliding one hand up my back, underneath my hair, and palming the back of my neck.
I sink against him and enjoy the warmth of his body against mine. His other hand slides underneath my sweater and shirt, across the small of my back, and pulls me tight. His hands are rough, and the feel of them makes me whimper into his mouth. I miss his touch. It seems like forever since we were together, and I want him again.
He pulls back, tugs on my lip with his teeth, and kisses me again. I glide my fingers over his neck. I can’t control the movement of my hips as I feel how hard he is, so I roll against him. A rumble echoes from his chest, and he eases back.
“I want to fuck you,” he rasps, pushing his hips up. “But we have a house full of people.”
“Right,” I exhale.
“I love you,” he says, dropping his head. He kisses my neck.
“I love you, too,” I breathe, holding him tight.
I soak up the comfort of his arms around me, his body sheltering me, and the horror of the day eases.
