I opened the porch door.
“You should be in bed,” she said.
“I needed to stretch my legs,” I replied, noticing how much easier it was to speak.
I walked over, lowering myself slowly to sit beside her.
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“Better,” I answered.
“Why did you do it?” she asked me.
Words caught in my throat.
I didn’t really have an answer. Not one that was good enough. I wanted her to mark me. I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving her and not having any part of her with me.
“Because I’m selfish,” I answered.
I felt Cole turn and look at me.
“You should have waited for me to return,” she said, and I looked to her, realising I was answering the wrong question. “Weshift together from now on. No running off on your own. You’re safer with me,” she instructed.
I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat.
“Okay.”
