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Chapter 9
Icurled up under my covers with Cleo at my feet. She batted at my toes until I just couldn't take it anymore. She was playful, and I was exhausted after tonight. I got up and gently lifted her into my arms, scratching at her damaged ear as I carried her to the door. I knew once she was out of the room, she'd head immediately for one of the guys' rooms and I could finally get some sleep. I cracked the door and nearly stumbled back as a dark shadow stood before me. My scream was halfway up my throat before I realized who itwas.
Cleo leapt out of my arms, and I slapped Bellamy on the chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Ihissed.
He blinked as Cleo wound around his bare feet. Dressed in a pair of low slung pajama bottoms, his naked chest drew myeyes.
"Sorry," he said. "I was going toknock."
I huffed but stepped aside and gestured for him to enter. "What's up?" I asked as he moved past me. Cleo skidded out of the way of the closing door and headed into thehallway.
"I wanted to talk to you about tonight," Bellamy said, taking a seat on the bed. I moved closer to him and crawled onto the mattress as well, turning so that my back was pressed against the headboard. "Okay," I said slowly. "What do you want to talk aboutexactly?"
Bellamy's strong, molten brown eyes met my gaze. "I want you to be careful," he said. "I don't trust this woman. I think she's dangerous. I don't like the fact that she's had you followed. I don't like the fact that she seems willing to do whatever it takes to get her son back. Graysonis—"
I reached forward and took his hand, holding it firmly between mine. "Grayson is one of us now," Isaid.
"I know," he replied with a sigh, staring down at our intertwined hands. He turned his palm over and let his fingers fall into place alongside mine—like puzzle pieces fitting perfectlytogether.
"I know you haven't liked him before," I said quietly. "I know that you don't necessarily trusthim—"
"Marv is okay with him," Bellamy interrupted, "and I trustMarv."
"So, you're okay with him now?" I askedhesitantly.
Bellamy shook his head. "I'm learning to be. He seems to make you happy, yes?" I nodded, holding his gaze. "I just want you to be safe and happy, Sweetheart." My chest ached with the sweetness of hiswords.
Releasing his hand, I threw my arms around his shoulders and hugged him tight. "I am happy with you guys," I promised. "You mean the world to me. You're my family." The love I felt for him—for all of them—tightened in my chest, swelling to impossiblestandards.
Bellamy hugged me back. "I love you, Harlow," he whispered into my hair, pressing a light kiss against myneck.
I froze. That kiss reminded me of that time in Ms. Enders' Etiquette Camp—when he had climbed up into my windowand...
My cheeks flushed pink as I pulled back and looked athim.
"Harlow?"
My breath was stuck in my throat, but I opened my mouth and forced the words out anyway. "I love youtoo."
He shook his head, reaching up. Bellamy cupped my cheek in one hand and I leaned into the warmth. "You don't have to say it justbecause—"
"I'm not," I swore. "I said it because I mean it. I love you,Bellamy."
How could I prove that to him? How could I show him that I did care, that I did love him?My eyes drifted lower, landing on his full, masculine lips. Heat rose within me. I leanedforward.
"Sweetheart—" I cut off his next words with a kiss, pressing my lips against his and closing my eyes as I sank into the sensation. Little pops of heat cropped up under my flesh. I kissed Bellamy like he was my heart and soul, and in a lot of ways, he was. He was kind. He was funny. He was protective. He was Bellamy. He wasmine.
His hands came up, one cupping me around my waist as he pulled me forward to bend my chest towards him. The other hand found the back of my neck, keeping my head angled so that he could delve into my mouth even deeper, slipping his tongue between my lips. He teased my senses, twining his tongue with mine, drawing it out to play with his. I shivered as he staked his claim, rocking me down to my verycore.
I clutched Bellamy's arm with one hand and used the other to burrow my fingers into the mass of dark, shoulder length hair that he had left down. Untamed, his hair was like silk against my fingers, drawing me in. His beauty was something normal men didn't possess, and though I was sure he might find it embarrassing to hear me say it—I thought he wasbeautiful.
Finally, I had to pull away so that I could breathe—so that we both could. Our chests rose and fell as we opened our eyes and stared, our gazes clashing like wildfire. "You own me, Harlow," he whispered, his voice a raspy husk. "Body and soul. I love you and even if it means I have to share you, I want you in my lifeforever."
I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to respond to a declaration like that. It was so heartfelt and it made me melt on the inside. I knew my skin was flushed pink—with both embarrassment and attraction. I shivered as his fingers dug into my side, but he released me easily when I pulled away. His eyes were hooded as I slowly sank down to my knees. I’d heard about girls who did this for guys in high school. I’d heard guys talk about how some girls were better than others, how some couldn’t getenough.
With the blush staining across my cheeks, I reached for hiswaistband.
“Harlow?” He blinked down atme.
