Page 27 of Awakened By the Guardian

“Yes. And yes, I’ll put the serum there.”

Though unspoken, Gary felt the beta’s warning. “I’m anxious, not reckless,” he said. Then he glanced at Margaret. “And I keep my promises.”

Vic looked amused. “I’m usually reckless and not anxious, so it’s good to have you on board. Now get some rest. We’ll figure out your legs in a bit.”

He turned for the elevator, while Gary’s father flashed his cell phone. “Text me when you wake. I’ll be downstairs.”

“Will do, Dad,” Gary said. Then he and Margaret watched as the two got back in the elevator and left.

They stood there in silence, listening to the rumble of the elevator. Then Margaret turned to him, her shoulders tight and her expression fierce. “All right, give. What do you want from me?”

So damn much.

He didn’t say that. Instead, he took the time to study her. It wasn’t a hardship. Even flushed and frazzled, she was beautiful. Tight, curvy body, muscular legs, and all perfectly packaged in dark jeans and a light pink tee.

“Why are you so afraid?” he asked.

She blew out a breath. “Why aren’t you?”

He shrugged. This was the best chance he’d ever have to get his legs back. He thought about their life together the way it could be, with him a whole man⁠—

She pointed. “Yeah. That’s why I’m tense. Right there.”

He frowned. “What?”

“You’re looking at this like some secret stock-buying opportunity.”

“This is a whole lot different,” he countered. It’s a whole lot better.

“Yeah,” she agreed, not knowing his thoughts. “It is different. Because it’s not just your money on the line. It’s everything.” She stepped forward, her expression firm. “You need to be a lot more careful than you are when you’re trading. You take risks there that would destroy me.”

He touched her hand. “You don’t see it, but I am careful. I research everything. I discard a thousand companies for every one I invest in.”

She sighed and looked at the ground, biting her lower lip. “I know. And yet I can’t help but think this might be the one time you’re wrong. And that would kill me.”

He flashed her a grin. “I changed into a bear, Margaret. And I’ve known you. I’ve already lived more than most people ever can.”

“Gary…” She swallowed, her eyes sheening over. “You have a good life. Why would you risk it?”

He stared at her, not sure how to explain. His final answer was simple: “I need more, Margaret.”

“More?”

“If I can’t have you, then I might as well take the shot at getting my legs back.”

She drew back, her brows tight and her eyes flashing. “The one has nothing to do with the other!”

Really? He wasn’t so sure. Sometimes people weren’t conscious of their prejudices. Maybe she didn’t realize her problem with him was because he was in a wheelchair and she was too nice to admit it to anyone, including herself. Maybe this whole non-sexual thing was really that she just couldn’t imagine herself with a paralyzed guy.

Except, she repeated it: “I’m not a sexual person, Gary. That’s my problem, not yours.”

“It’s my problem if it’s stopping you from being with me.”

She blew out a breath, exasperated. “You want sex. I know you do. Even if you didn’t now, you would eventually—especially if you got your legs back. You want a woman who’ll ooh and ahh in your arms and mean it. Hell, I would want that if I was normal, but I’m not. You need someone who can give you what you want.”

He stared at her, surprised. She had a point. He did want to do all sorts of naughty things with her, and he wanted her to enjoy them. But she was wrong, too. He would love her just the same if they never did more than sit on the couch together and watch TV. As long as he knew that she loved him equally in return.

“Can you tell me how this happened?” he asked.