“Yes,” she said at once. “Absolutely, I do.”
My heart soared even as worry tightened my chest. Because wanting to be with me and actually staying were two different things. And tomorrow, Henry would arrive.
“You have to be absolutely certain,” I said. “If you need more time?—”
“I don’t.” She stepped into me and placed her hands on my chest, and something vulnerable and intense flashed in her eyes. “I don’t need more time, Beck. I just need to know this is real.”
For a second, I could only stare at her, waiting for her to clarify. Because I’d clearly misheard. She couldn’t possibly doubt my love…
But she’d lost her parents young. Then she’d been raised in a home that didn’t truly have space for her. She’d been more or less on her own since she was fourteen.
For all her intelligence and resilience, Charlotte had never really had a place of her own. Now, she needed to know the place I offered was trulyhers.
I pulled her against me. “It’s real,” I rasped, kissing her forehead. “I swear it. And I’m not going anywhere. You’re mine, and I’m yours. That will never change, ever.”
She rose on tiptoe and kissed me, her tongue hot and sweet against mine. Her scent thickened, and I groaned as I poured all my hope and desperation into my kiss. I had to keep her safe. I had to break Henry’s hold and make sure the vampire met the sun. And then I had to claim Charlotte Mills and never let her forget she was mine.
When I finally broke off the kiss, I was hard and aching. I tucked her against me and pressed my lips to the top of her head, inhaling tuberoses and the essence that was hers alone.
“I love you, Charlotte,” I said.
She eased back, tears swimming in her eyes. “I love you, too.”
It was enough. Ithadto be. Because I’d be damned if I let anyone, vampire or otherwise, take her from me.
Chapter
Fifteen
CHARLOTTE
The Anchorage airport hummed with activity. Travelers in rumpled clothes tugged wheeled suitcases from the baggage carousel. A woman argued into her phone about a rental car. Children shrieked and chased each other around a bank of plastic chairs bolted to the floor.
I stood beside Beck, my hand tucked in his as we waited for Dr. Henry to appear.
Contentment spread through me in a warm current. I’d made the right decision staying in Bear Cove. Whatever the future held, Beck and I would face it together. I wasn’t alone in the world. Not anymore.
I’d spent another restful night in his arms, followed by an easy day at the bed and breakfast. He’d slipped into his office to tend clan business while I caught up on reading. Then he’d prepared lunch while I peppered him with questions about Bear Cove’s plant life.
We’d talked over hot chocolate and a batch of scones that melted in my mouth. When I declared myself too full to move, Beck had tugged me upstairs and into the shower, where he knelt on the tile, propped my foot on his shoulder, and workedhis tongue between my thighs until I was a trembling, gasping mess.
He’d kept his fingers laced with mine the whole drive to the airport, the silence between us as easy and natural as our conversations.
But some of the easiness had faded when we entered the baggage claim. Beck’s hand was loose in mine, but his shoulders were rigid, and his jaw beneath his beard was a tight line.
“Are you okay?” I asked quietly.
He looked down at me, his silver eyes shadowed. “Fine. Just…be careful, Charlotte.”
Before I could ask what he meant, movement caught my eye.
Dr. Henry emerged from a corridor, a leather messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He never seemed to age, his calm blue eyes and distinguished-looking features the same as when I first met him. His thick dark hair showed hints of gray at the temples, giving him an air of authority. Unlike a lot of other professors, he was also notoriously fashionable. The crease of his dress pants looked sharp enough to cut glass, but his charcoal-colored sweater softened the harsh lines.
Affection rising, I started forward, but Beck tightened his grip on my hand.
Dr. Henry caught sight of us, and a smile spread over his face as he approached. “There you are, Charlotte.” He flicked his gaze to Beck, then gave me an expectant look.
“Dr. Henry,” I said. “Thank you for coming all this way. This is my…” My face heated as I disentangled my hand from Beck’s. “This is Beck Antonovich,” I finished weakly.
