LUCY & KANE
LUCY.
My heart hammered against my ribs as the car glided to a stop in front of the house.
I… I…I couldn't move.
My hands remained frozen on my lap. At some point during the drive, I’d knit my fingers together and they’d stayed interlocked, unable to separate. The wound across my abdomen seemed to pulse with each heartbeat. The throbbing was a nonstop reminder.You were hurt. You were in the hospital. You’ve been away for weeks. This house might still be a place of hurt, not a home.
It can’t all be fake, I told myself for the million time, countering my spiraling worries.Remember how they’ve treated you lately. Remember the feel of Xander’s arm wrapped protectively around you. Remember the kinship you felt with Asher. Remember the fierce longing in Fallon’s eyes. Remember how Nitro’s sharpness has softened. Remember Kane’s gentle touch when he placed the pillow.
I held onto these small memories like they could solve everything.
“Home again, home again.” Kane’s voice was pitched softly. I didn’t look over at him. My eyes were glued to the house, roving over inch of it.
I didn’t know what I expected, other than I believed there should be something different about the place. Everything else had shifted. Yet, here this building was, unaffected. The windows. The stonework. The columns and steps. All the same. And the door too. How long had it been since I first walked through it wearing the protective suit? Why did it seem like seconds and years ago simultaneously?
Fallon exited the driver's side, pressing the door closed behind him with a soft click. Kane got out roughly, slamming his door with enough force to make the sedan tremble. Neither seemed to notice I hadn't moved.
I was alone in the car now, but Kane’s words echoed like they had a life of their own.Home again. Home again. Home…Did I truly want that? Did I truly want them? Was it just my Omega recognizing acceptable mates?
No, it wasn’t that they wereenoughof a match to tempt my inner nature. They were theonlymatch. Setting aside Eros’s claim that our six unique scents were miraculously compatible, I could honestly say that these men spoke to every part of me, beyond a glandular level. They spoke to my heart, my soul, my mind. They spoke to the isolated child. The teen losing hope. The woman waiting to die.
I jumped in my seat, sending an ache through my belly, when Kane appeared at my window. He must have seen my reaction, because he frowned and opened the door slowly before squatting down next to the car. His dark eyes found mine immediately.
“Did I scare you?” His eyes tightened, his expression pained.
“No, it’s okay.” My fingers finally released one another. I flattened one palm against the pillow, pressing its plushness against the stitches. The pressure helped the pain subside.
“I didn’t scare you, but it’s okay?” He quirked an eyebrow, a smile teasing his lips.
I smiled at him, blushing. “Okay, you scared me a little. And, yes, it’s okay.”
I’ve no idea what made me do it, but I reached out and cupped my small hand against his face. Kane froze for a heartbeat, then leaned into my touch, his lovely brown eyes closing.
"You plannin’ on sleeping in the car tonight?" he murmured, his tone carrying a gentle quality that made my heart ache.
“Maybe,” I replied softly, never wanting to pull my hand away. We could just stay like this forever.
Kane’s lashes fluttered apart, his gaze searching my face. Slowly, managing to keep his cheek pressed against my warm hand, he reached to unfasten the buckle. I moved my other hand, pressing it against his chiseled chest. The small, colorful pillow fell to the floorboard. Up close, his scent engulfed me. Touching his face and his chest made my skin tingle and sent ribbons of need stretching through every part of me. It touched corners and shadows I didn’t know existed. I moaned involuntarily, my inner Omega hungrily stretching, and not caring one bit that I was still healing.
Kane pulled away, breaking our physical contact. His gaze was dark now, full of unchecked desire. He seemed to give himself a full body shake before standing up and offering me his hands.
"Come on, Princess," he murmured. "Let's get you inside."
I placed my palms against his, allowing him to help me from the car. The moment I stood, a wave of dizziness swept overme. My legs trembled beneath me, and Kane's arm immediately circled my waist, steadying me against his solid frame.
"I'm fine," I murmured, embarrassment heating my cheeks. "Really, I can walk."
But when I tried to take a step, my body betrayed me. I swayed dangerously, and Kane's grip tightened.
"Sure, you can," he said, his voice a low rumble beside my ear. "But not today."
Before I could protest further, he bent and swept me into his arms in one fluid motion. I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck to steady myself. My stomach protested the sudden movement, the healing wound pulling.
"Did I hurt you?" Kane asked, freezing in place, his eyes scanning my face for signs of pain. “Shit. First I scare you, then I’m too rough.”
I shook my head. "Just a twinge. I'm okay."
