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Reaching out, he took it.
Her smile grew.
I’d do anything to see that smile again.
Whipped? Yep. And I don’t care. That should have scared the hell out of him, too, but it didn’t.
She pointed at the chair in the corner and then placed his son in his arms. At first, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Then something inside of him shifted. Protectiveness, yes, but more gentle. A certainty and rightness that seemed to center him.
She grinned at him again, saying, “He’s a champion eater.”
After a large bottle and two burps, Finn had the pleasure of studying his son. He took the time to
note each dimple, ten toes, ten fingers, light eyes—like his own—and a strong grip. As Oscar drifted into a happy sleep, Finn accepted that something fundamental had changed.
He—and his wolf—felt purpose. He had every reason in the world to keep going, right here in this room. He’d never choose this life, but it no longer made sense to fight who and what he was.
Not with the Others tracking them.
Hollis said they were still sniffing around the Hill Country. Dante and Anders agreed. For now, they had an advantage. One they’d need. They had a long way to go today.
He stood, carried Oscar to the bed, and pressed a kiss on his soft cheek. “Sleep on,” he whispered, placing him on the bed. “I will protect you, no matter what.”
Jessa was combing through her hair with her fingers. He saw her wince and moved to her, lifting her hair aside to see the gash Thomas had left. His anger, the wolf’s anger, rose instantly. “Hurt?”
She shrugged. “Only when I touch it.” She turned, looking up at him.
“Did you get any sleep?” he asked.
She nodded. “Thank you for…that.”
“For what?” For doing what he wanted?
“For keeping me safe,” she finished.
“You are safe.” He drew in a deep breath. “What you did for Oscar, protecting him—”
“I had to,” she said softly.
“You had to put yourself in harm’s way to protect my son?” He shook his head. “You’re an amazing woman, Jessa. I can never, ever, repay you or thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.” His throat grew tight, it was all he could manage.
Her cheeks colored, the slight hitch of her breath intriguing him. “I know he’s not mine, but I love Oscar as if he were.” Her voice was a whisper. “You don’t need a nanny. You have me. No matter how scared I am, leaving him would kill me.”
“Don’t leave. Stay with him. Stay with me.” He tilted her chin back. “Please. I will keep you safe.”
She swallowed, her green eyes holding his. “With you, nothing’s safe.”
“I would never hurt you, Jessa. You protected my son with your life, risked everything for him—for us.” He ground the words out, the pain of her doubt all but crippling. “You know what I am. My wolf and I will make sure nothing like this ever happens again. You are family now. My family. Do you believe me?”
Her eyes widened, but then she leaned into his hand, her nod slight.
His resistance almost crumbled. He ached to tug her close and kiss her lips. His wolf paced, craving a bond with her. His thumb traced the edge of her lower lip before he could stop himself. It was a mistake, an-oh-so-sweet mistake.
He stepped away from her, his control on the brink. He didn’t want to leave her, but staying here was too great a temptation for his wolf. He slipped into his jeans and stepped into his boots, tugging on his white undershirt as he opened the door. “Getting breakfast,” he said before he left the room.
…
She pulled on the jersey dress and frowned. Mr. Brown had already thrown away their old clothes, including her bra. Every trace of their route had to be destroyed, wiped out, to keep the Others off their tracks. Jessa understood, but now she had no bra and an indecently tight dress to wear. There was nothing she could do about it. According to Mr. Brown, they were leaving in five minutes.
