AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shrugged, kissed my cheek, and walked away, giving Seff a fatherly pat on the shoulder as he passed. “I’m afraid my son needs to have his ass handed to him every once in a while,” Dad said.
Seff replied with a chin lift and a grin before turning toward me. He was flushed from his physical exertion, and his eyes still held heat. As he stalked forward, I took a step back...then another...and another until he was inside my yurt, closing the door behind him. His gaze was hot on my skin, like a scorching touch. Either that or I was simply perspiring inside my parka. His rich, masculine scent filled the space and made my pulse race. Seff had defended me against a male who should’ve been the first to love and accept me no matter what. That hurt. Still, my brother probably relished every bit of pain Seff had inflicted.
“If you really loved me, you’d...”
The memory slammed into me, making me take another step back. I closed my eyes and forced Tillman’s voice from my head.
“Des?” Seff’s voice brought me back, anchored me to the present.
“I’m...sorry.” The words came out in a whisper. Two words I’d spoken to Tillman more times than I could count, though I had nothing to be sorry for.
Opening my eyes, I started again. “I’m...”
What? I’m damaged? I’m ashamed? I’m not worthy of feeling this connection we share?
No matter how many times Tillman had thrown that“if you really loved me...”statement at me, followed by whatever his demand had been, I had given in instead of arguing the point.
I could’ve walked away.
I should’ve walked away.
I’d spent months trying to prove how much I’d cared for someone who hadn’t loved me at all. Till had used me until he thought I was broken.
But I hadn’t been.
When I’d had enough, when I’d found the will to walk away, I’d done it fast, and I hadn’t looked back. I hadn’t wasted one more day waiting for the good to come to me. I was free. My choices were mine. I didn’t ask for anyone’s permission to do what made me happy.
Yes, I was grieving, and yes, I accepted that the gods had blessed me with Seff, a male willing to comfort me through the process. And yes, dammit, I would take all the comfort he had to give.
The days ahead were not promised or guaranteed in any way. I’d take my dad’s advice and enjoy every bittersweet moment. These days would get better. The grief would ease, and I wouldn’t need to hold it so close to keep it from overwhelming me.
I licked my lips and watched Seff’s gaze fall to my mouth. My blood heated all over again.
“Kiss me, Seff.”
His rough hand came up and cupped my cheek. A calloused thumb drifted softly, slowly, over my bottom lip. The golden stars amid the brown of his eyes disappeared as his pupils dilated. A sweet smile creased his cheeks. He stepped in close, the warmth of his body seeping into mine.
“Darlin’, you’re not ready for the kind of kiss I want to lay on your lips.”
“Not ready?” I raised an eyebrow and cocked my head. “But...you dowantto kiss me?”
Seff leaned in closer. His mouth brushed against my ear. The heat coming off him made me feel as though I stood within inches of my wood-burning stove. The vibration of a low rumbling growl made my wolf’s blood sing.
“When you’re ready, I want to do more than kiss you.” He nipped at my earlobe and made me shiver with anticipation.
“Whenyou’reready,” I whispered, “I want you to mark me.”
His head shot up, and he stared into my eyes. His mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. I’d shocked him speechless.
“Youwantto mark me, don’t you?”Don’t say no.
“Oh, hell yeah!” A big grin spread across his face, along with a bright pink blush. “I mean, yes. Absolutely. But, damn, Des, I think I’m supposed to be asking all the questions, making all the moves. Isn’t that the male’s job in a relationship?”
“Seff,” I sighed. “How many relationships have you been in?”
His grin slipped away before he answered. “None.”
“Are you saying you’re a virgin?” I held my breath, waiting for something. Maybe a lie?
