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“I will have you know that—don’t grab me,” I ordered him as he tried to take hold of my arm and pull me down. “Do you know who I am?”

“Yes,” he murmured before he stood up, shoved me down on the couch, and climbed into my lap. “You’re mine.”

I grunted.

“This playing hard to get when I know you want me is very hot.”

I tried scowling at him.

“So adorable.”

“People have thrown up, pissed themselves, and even passed out when I’ve looked at them like this.”

“I’m so stupid,” he murmured as he wrapped his arms around my neck. “I could have had you with me this whole time if I hadn’t run like a scared rabbit.”

“I worked very hard to keep you safe and away from me.” I pushed his hair back from his face. “You didn’t know me, so it only makes sense that you responded to⁠—”

“No. All I needed to do was get closer to you. I needed to show you that you belonged to me, target be damned, fear be damned. You could protect me. You were just scared too. Didn’t want to lose me.”

“I couldn’t,” I muttered, staring at him.

“Your tea is probably cold, and it steeped too long.”

“I don’t care about the tea,” I said honestly. I sat there, holding his gaze, and I’d never held eye contact that long with anyone. It should have felt weird, but it seemed normal, like us. “May I ask you a favor?”

“Of course.”

“Would you pack a bag, go to Graeme’s with me so I can grab my stuff, and then spend the night with me at my place?”

“Your place?”

“I will not attack you. I’ll sleep on the couch and you can have my bed, but after everything, I would like to be close to make sure you’re safe.”

“I’ll be safe. I have police officers in front of my house.”

“That’s right, I forgot,” I muttered irritably. “You have law enforcement.”

He smiled at me. “Perhaps you could stay here tonight, and in the morning we could go collect your things from Graeme’s, have breakfast, then go to your apartment.”

“And pack some things so I can stay with you until this stuff with River Wilkes gets sorted out.”

“We could stay at your place if you prefer.”

“No, your police officers are here, as you said, and my apartment came furnished. Nothing there is mine but my clothes, my watches, and my jewelry. Here is better.”

He squinted. “What?”

“You look so confused, and worried.” I had to lean in and kiss his forehead.

“I’m a bit—your home sounds terrible.”

“Your place, this is a home. Mine is not.”

“Did you not want one?”

“Not without my mate,” I told him. “What would be the point?”

“You’re breaking my heart.”