His hand slides down my thigh, stopping just above my knee. Not crossing lines. But close.
“I will protect you,” he says.
“I don’t need protection.”
“You’ll get it anyway.” The possessiveness in his tone makes my stomach flip.
“You’re not my nanny anymore,” he continues.
“Is that official?”
“Official.”
“And what am I?”
His thumb presses into my thigh, grounding. “You’re mine.”
The words send heat straight through me.
“Say it again,” I whisper.
He leans in, mouth brushing my ear. “You’re mine.”
A shiver runs through me.
“And I’m yours,” he adds. “If you’ll have me.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I already do.”
The storm outside rattles faintly against the windows. The world feels suspended.
“You still sure this isn’t wrong?” he murmurs against my mouth.
“If loving someone who makes me feel like this is wrong,” I whisper back, “I don’t want right.”
He studies me one last time. Then he nods once. Decision made.
He kisses me again, slower now, deeper, not frantic but consuming in a way that makes my pulse thrum. His hands roam carefully, reverently, mapping without rushing.
When he finally pulls back, he rests his forehead against mine. “I should’ve done this sooner.”
Chapter 14
Sawyer
“You’re staring,” she finally breaks the tension humming between us.
“I know.” I say as she stands in my kitchen barefoot, eyes shining like she hasn’t just rearranged my entire life.
Her mouth curves. “Should I be worried?”
“Yes.”
She laughs softly. “Why?”
“Because I’ve been holding back since you walked through my door.”
Her pulse flickers in her throat.
