“Fuck, not in a million years,” he says.
“How is that fair?” She widens her eyes.
“You are my mate. Rylee isn’t.”
“That’s your answer?” She stares at him.
“Yes.” He trails his fingers underneath her jaw. “Do you want to fight?”
“No,” she snaps, and Heath lifts his brows. “Whatever.” She rolls her eyes and sits straight.
Heath leans close, his mouth at her ear. “Just wait,” he whispers, and Juliana shifts in her seat.
“Are you done?” Ezra nods at my plate.
“Yes.”
“Dance with me,” he says softly, and stands.
“Okay,” I breathe, and place my hand in his.
He walks in front of me, weaving between the tables until we reach the area that was cleared out for dancing. Pulling me close, Issy begins another slow song. I gaze at my mate, and he holds my stare.
“We are in this together,” he whispers, holding my hand under his against his chest. “Your family does it their way, and we will do it ours. I don’t want you to stop doing something you lovejust to please me. Yes, I might not react well to seeing you get violent with someone. Not because I don’t think you can handle yourself. I need to protect you, and even though you willingly sign up for it, my animal thinks we aren’t doing our job.”
“Making you uncomfortable is the last thing I want to do,” I say softly.
“Do you want to continue?” he asks.
“I enjoy the challenge of it.” I’ve been wrapped up in Ezra and haven’t really thought about what I want in the future. “I’ve used it for an outlet. My anger over the injustice that happened to me has fueled my need to do it. I was grateful that Heath wanted to teach me how to defend myself. I don’t feel the helplessness I did before.”
“This is new,” he rumbles, tightening his arm around my waist. “There is no pressure. We can take it day by day. We don’t have to plan everything. If you want to keep your matches, do it. I’ll deal with it.”
“I didn’t expect you.” I lift my hand from his shoulder and caress the back of his neck. He closes his eyes, and I smell the pleasure in his scent. “I want to keep you.”
“I’m not going anywhere, baby,” he rasps, opening his eyes. “Even if you denied me, I would stalk you until you changed your mind.”
“Oh, yeah?” I ask, smiling.
“You would get sick of me interfering in your life so that you would give in,” he smirks.
“Probably.” I tilt my head. “No need for stalking unless we want to have fun with it. I’m here. With you.”
“Yeah, you are,” he murmurs and kisses my forehead.
I drop my head, and lay my cheek on his shoulder. Ezra doesn’t expect me to act like anyone but myself. I don’t have to hide or pretend I’m okay. He wants the real me, complicated andmessy. He makes me feel safe. I can talk about all the hard shit, and he sympathizes, yet doesn’t treat me like I’m broken.
He’s been patient. Kind. Open and honest. He listened to my experience as a teenager and planned a night to celebrate the woman I am now and the progress I’ve made. I never thought I would crave the touch of a man so badly. My sexuality has been a work in progress. Years ago, I couldn’t imagine being in a relationship. I’ve avoided emotional attachments. The mating heat is getting stronger and harder to ignore. Being this close to him just reinforces my need. Every hour, every minute, it’s grown. We aren’t bonded yet, but I can’t imagine turning him away.
I want to have sex with him. Desperately. I’m warm and already ready for him. I’ve wanted to take it slow. Not only because of what I’ve been through, but I don’t want to mess it up. It’s time to take the leap.
Into love. Into his arms.
I believe to my core, he will always be there to catch me.
Chapter Fifteen
Ezra
