Myheart thudded as tingles of anticipation danced inside my body.Irushed to my living room and looked outside the window.Sureenough,Valenpulled up in his car.
“You’rehere,”Iuttered with a sigh.
“I’mhere,” he said. “CanIcome in?”
“Yes.”Iended the call and set my phone on the end table.WhenIraised my hand to unlock the door, my fingers trembled.Icouldn’t believe he was here.HadImanifested this after thinking about him so much?
AfterIopened the door, my eyes locked with his.Heapproached on my front walkway, and my breath came quicker.
“Valen.”Ipushed the door open wider to give him room to enter.
“Hi,Cassandra.”
AfterIclosed the door, he turned to me. “Iknow you asked for space, butIcouldn’t stay away any longer.”Hisblue eyes fixed on mine with sincerity. “Iwant to be with you,Cassandra.Iwant to be here for you andPaigeand our baby.”Heplaced his hand on his chest. “Andif you don’t want me that way…”Hegulped, his expression turning pained. “I’llrespect your decision.”Thenhe raised his chin and continued, “ButI’mnotThorne.I’dnever abandon my family.Pleaselet me be a part of our child’s life.”
Tearsbrimmed in my eyes.Emotionsrushed through me with such force,Icouldn’t even keep up with the quick pace of them seizing a brief hold—excitement, relief, and pure and utter joy.
“Oh,Valen.”Irushed over and threw my arms around him.Inmy enthusiasm,Iknocked us off balance.Hetumbled backward onto the sofa with me landing on top of him.
Valenlaughed in a low rumble. “I’vefallen for you once again.”
Ichuckled. “Itlooks like we’ve fallen for each other.”
Aswe lay there, limbs tangled and my body still pressed onto his, we stared into each other’s eyes.
Thenhis widened. “Thebaby!Didyou get hurt?”
“No,Valen,”Iassured him with a gentle smile. “Thatwasn’t even a fall.Morelike me using you as a cushion.”
“Oh.”Heexhaled with relief. “Good.”Ina lower voice, he said, “Imissed you so much.”
“Imissed you too,”Iadmitted. “AndI’msorry for pushing you away.Ifit’s any consolation, it made me realize how muchIwanted to be with you again.”
Hereached up and pushed one of my curls behind my ear, but it tumbled onto my cheek again.
“Theycan’t be tamed,”Ijoked.
“Ilove them.”Hisfingers moved to my face and then traveled with a slow caress downward. “AndIhope this isn’t too much too soon, butIlove you too,Cassandra.”
Warmthspread through my body. “It’sexactly whatIwanted to hear,”Isaid. “BecauseI’vefallen in love with you.”
Hiseyes widened. “Youhave?”
Inodded. “Althoughit may take me some time to adjust,Iwant to be more than the mother of your child.Iwant to be your mate.”
Hiseyes sparkled and lips twitched before spreading into a luminous smile. “Youdon’t know how excited my wolf is to hear that.Almostas much as me.”
Ashe moved up to kiss me,Ileaned down, eager to feel his lips on mine.Inmy haste, our noses collided.
WhenIpulled back,Icovered my nose. “Whoops.Sorry.”
Hechuckled. “Let’stry that again.”Hiseyes gleamed with amusement.
Inodded with a grin. “Taketwo.”
Thistime, we moved more slowly, andIsavored that anticipation.Whenour lips met, the connection was tender.Ilost myself in the moment, relieved to haveValenback in my arms.Noway wouldIpush him away again.
“Mom?”
