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A laugh rips from my chest, and I smack Shaun playfully on his shoulder.
“Stop. That’s just weird.”
Shaun shrugs. “It’s probably true, though.” He leans down and presses his forehead to mine. “I miss you.”
My brows shoot up at his confession.
“Why? I’m right here.”
He shrugs. “It’s hard sharing you. Part of me wants the others to spend time with you, but I can’t help but want you all to myself. I fucking ache to fall asleep with you in my arms again.”
“Ache as in Thor? Does he ache to be inside me?”
Shaun frowns, “No, not Thor. My heart aches to hold you close, to have you near. All the fucking time.”
“It does?” My voice is quiet and lacking any real confidence.
“Yes, it does. I think I’m addicted to you, Kitten.”
Well shit. “I think I’m addicted to you too, Cass. Is it strange that I miss the Feast? I know what happened wasn’t good, but I miss it. It would normally be on tonight. I’d be getting ready now, painting my face in the barn and slipping into whatever outfit Master Hill chose for me. Do you think after what happened on Wednesday night that it’s still running tonight?”
“I get it, Kitten. We have a lot of fun at the Feast nights, so yeah, I miss that. I’m pretty sure it’s still happening. I got the message yesterday morning, even though I assumed I’d been taken off the guest list. Maybe they wanted me there to punishmethis time for trying to help you.”
I frown, “Those motherfuckers better not touch you, or I’ll chop their dicks off!”
Shaun throws his head back, laughing, “I’d pay to see that, Kitten.”
Grinning, I lay my head on Shaun’s chest and squeeze my arms, needing to feel him as close as possible. “I miss you too.”
Even though I whisper it, I can tell Shaun hears by the way his arms tighten around me. Glancing back up, I watch as he licks his lips before leaning down, and I meet him halfway, pressing mine against his. As we kiss, our tongues brush, and I melt into his hold, giving myself over to this moment. It’s slow, long and torturously good, and I realise it’s one of those special kisses that isn’t happening for sex. It’s happening because we care. It’s a carnal display of, dare I say it… love.
Even though I can feel how hard Shaun is, Thor straining between our bodies, and even though my Kitty is purring with need, we don’t act on it. We let the kiss linger and then slowly pull apart, our eyes wild with something other than lust as we fight to peer into each other’s souls.
“I heard you the other night when Derek told you he thought I loved you, and you said you were pretty sure you loved me, too.” Shaun takes a deep breath. “Did you mean it?”
Be honest, Rhys. That’s the only way this will work.
“I meant it, but I’m not sure that I understand it yet. I’m so messed up.” I shake my head and try to look down, but Shaun’s fingers come to rest under my chin, keeping me in place.
“I need you to know that Derek was right, Kitten. I know it hasn’t been long, and I know we are still getting to know each other, but I also know that I can’t live without you. You consume my every thought, and I have this obsessive need to know everything there is to know about you. I’ve never loved anyone before, but I’m pretty sure what I’m feeling is it. I’m in love with you, Kitten.”
I’m lost for words. I open and close my mouth but can’t form a single word. My hands are trembling, and my chest feels full and, dare I say, happy. Since I can’t speak, I use another language I’m good with, and I lean up, taking his lips in mine again.
Our kiss is hot and fevered this time, and I feel like I’m going to swallow him whole if I don’t get a grip. I understand what he means by obsessive and consuming. It’s how I feel about him too, and I show him with each stroke of my tongue and each nibble of my lips, all while fisting my hands into his dark curls and holding him tight.
Eventually, breaking our kiss, Shaun pulls back, smirking. “Uh, we should probably get back out there.”
I want to disagree, but I know he’s right. I need to go out there and show the guys who I am under the mask I’ve worn for years, so I nod, feeling flushed and thoroughly kissed.
After Shaun steps back from me, I stand awkwardly, not really sure if I’m prepared to face the guys again, but Shaun doesn’t let me think too much about it. He takes my hand in his and leads me from the safety of my tent.
The night air is cool, and it feels refreshing on my flushed cheeks as we walk over to the fire, the smell of sizzling barbequed meat wafting around us. Everyone is in some sort of conversation while the faint sound of music plays in the background. It sounds like Lexi’s music. One of the Archer 9 songs she loves so much. They’re a legit sick band. I’m kinda jelly that she got to meet them. She told me all about it today while we were lying in the sun. I hadn’t put two and two together until she mentioned that Archer 9 created the Archer Network, an organisation that finds homes for children in the foster care system who have had it tough. Connor and Archie found their way to Cynthia and Will through the Archer Network. It was lucky they were still young enough that their past didn’t change them too much. The Archer Network do great work, and now that I know Archer 9 are behind it, I’m even more intrigued.
I feel eyes on me as I sit on a camp chair by the fire while Shaun leaves me to grab us some drinks. Every time I look up to see whose eyes are lingering, I’m met with turned heads or cast down eyes.
Am I being paranoid?
Just as Shaun takes a seat next to me and hands me a can of Gordans Pink Gin, Garrett squats down in front of me, catching my eyes with his.
