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In a blink, I was cradled in his arms as he walked to our bedroom.
“I would have walked,” I said softly.“Eventually.”
“This is better,” he said.
I didn’t ask him what he meant by that.With the way he was looking at me, it was pretty clear he liked carrying me.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us.Making them keep their word.The donations.Putting up with the lies and manipulation.I know it isn’t easy.”I considered him for a minute.“But you were brilliant today, mentioning the volunteers to the crowd.There’s no way for Waurlyn to go back on what she said.Not without causing more trouble.”
“She will keep her word.To her, she is sacrificing a few to help the many by thinning the number of people who will be beating at the fence with their anger and fear.Patrick and the general were unwilling to sacrifice anyone.”
I’d never thought of it that way.And when I did, I saw that Waurlyn might be even more dangerous than the general.Yet, I didn’t doubt for a second that she would be honest with the volunteers, regarding the risks.Just like those in my original group and those who stepped up for the vaccine trials, there were people who were willing to risk anything to save the person they loved.
“I’m suitably impressed by your perception of her and the situation.You obviously don’t need my help anymore.”I had no intention of leaving him yet but wanted to see how he’d react to the possibility.
His expression hardened, and he released my legs slowly, letting my body slide against his.
“I need you, Andie.”
I could feel exactly how he needed me, and with my hands on his shoulders, I debated wrapping my legs around his waist and testing that hunger.In the end, I played it safe and stepped away when my feet hit the ground.
“Then, don’t mistake Patrick and Tom’s stubbornness in giving an inch for compassion.They all want to save as many people as possible.Waurlyn is just using her eyes and willing to bend a little more.”
“Explain.”
“You’ve won the loyalty of the people in this house.You’re training us and others to survive whatever we find when we finally have to go back out there.You ask for very little for yourself and ask for more for others.Because of all of that, she sees you as more than a vaccine.Just like we do.
“And I truly believe she wants to save as many people as possible.As you pointed out, there are too many people on this side of the mountain range.We’re going to start running low on resources, and people will get more desperate when that happens.People will die.Sending some of them with you when we leave is a way to possibly save a few more from whatever fate overpopulation might bring here.”
“It’s also a way for them to send people to monitor my brothers and me and see how many of us there are.”
“It is.Is that a chance you’re willing to take?”
He brushed his fingers over my cheek.“When I left them, I thought I was willing to risk anything to give my brothers a chance at the joy I saw between Mya and Drav.But I see things are not so clear and understand that I risk destroying one brother’s happiness to give it to others.”
I understood that he was talking about Mya’s immunity.
“Is that why you mentioned building more safe havens?So your brothers could come and go and no one would know how many of you there are?”
His lips quirked.
“What’s funny?”I asked.
“You bring me joy.The way you think.Your trust in me.The way you look at me.”He slid his fingers from my jaw to the back of my neck, holding me still to rest his forehead against mine.“I find it difficult to focus when I am with you.I want to hold you and listen to your thoughts.”His fingers gripped my hair tighter.“I want to taste you, Andie.I want it more than I’ve wanted anything else in my existence.”
My insides were liquefied by his admission and the intensity behind it.It would be so easy to tilt my head and give in to the curiosity and need I felt.
“I’m afraid that once you’ve had your taste, you won’t let go,” I whispered.
“I already won’t let go, Andie.You’re mine.”
Gripping my hair, he gently forced my head back.My lips parted as I stared at the raw need in his expression.
He growled low and dipped his head, pausing only an inch away from my mouth.
“Stop me,” he said softly.
“Stop you?”I gave a breathless laugh.“Can anything stop you?”
