“Come on, baby.” I took Killian’s hand and headed toward Sorcha’s quarters, still trying to contain myself.
Mal followed us, looking increasingly confused and frustrated.
“Why does Papa look mad?” Killian asked, glancing back at his father.
“Papa’s being silly.”
“Papa’s always silly,” Killian agreed.
“I am not silly,” Mal protested.
We dropped Killian off with Sorcha, who took one look at our faces and wisely asked no questions. Then I walked, very deliberately, to one of the more deserted corridors in the castle. The old wing that was mostly used for storage.
The moment we were alone, I rounded on him.
“What was that?”
“I do not like other men looking at you. He was smiling at you.”
“Because I was being nice! That’s what people do, they smile when someone is nice to them. You can’t get jealous of every single men in this castle.”
“Oh, I can. He was smiling too much.”
I sighed, the laugh from before already forgotten. “Are you serious right now?”
“Yes! Iamjealous of everyone!” The words burst out of him like he couldn’t hold them in anymore.
“Really?”
“Especially the fucking guards. Torin and anyone who makes you smile!”
“This is insane.”
“Ifeelinsane.” He grunted, then, in a lower voice, he added: “I feel like I am losing you.”
That stopped me cold. “What?”
“Even though we reconciled. Even though I am back in your bed and we made love recently.” His voice cracked slightly. “I feel like you are slipping away and I cannot stop it.”
I looked at him, really looked at him, and saw the genuine fear in his eyes, felt it pulsing through our bond. This wasn’t possessive alpha bullshit. This wasrealfear. And I felt like shit for not realizing before.
“Mal,” I said softly, but he shook his head.
“I am terrified of losing you. Of you realizing you deserve better than a jealous fool who cannot even control himself around guards who are just accepting cookies-”
“Stop. Stop right there. You’re being an idiot.” I stepped closer, putting my hands on his chest. “I loveyou, with all my heart and my might. I am yours, just as much as you are mine. We’re two halves of the same soul, Mal. And I’m not going anywhere.”
“You are certain?”
“Yes. We belong together, even if sometimes I get mad because you piss me off, even if you get jealous of every male in here. Even ifIpiss you off. We’re Mal and Wen, forever. That’s it. End of discussion.”
“I love you,” he said. “So much. It consumes me. And I would never get pissed at you. You’re always right, even when you aren’t.”
I snorted. “I know. Now kiss me before I change my mind about finding your jealousy endearing instead of annoying.”
He kissed me, hungry and intense, his tongue plunging deep into my mouth, tasting of desperation, as if he couldn’t get enough of my flavor. His grip found my waist, fingers clamping down like vices, pulling me flush against him until there was no space left between us. I could feel exactly how much he wanted me, the hard length of his cock pressing against my stomach through our clothes, rigid and pulsing. Oh, gods. Have mercy.
“Here?” I rasped against my mouth, my lips swollen from the assault, breath coming in short bursts. We were literally in a hallway.
