Lawson
Myjawclenchesasa lifetime of instinct pulls me two ways at once—toward the barn, toward my brother, toward my best friends and the ranch I’ve spent my entire life protecting.
And her.
And I know without a doubt that I made the right choice. Because it’s the same one I know they would have made.
Abigail’s breath comes out in ragged pants as the two of us stand chest to chest, but I’m careful not to make another move. Not until I’m sure it’s what she wants.
But god dammit, do I want it. I want it more than I’ve wanted anything in my entire life.
“The boys’ve got it handled,” I tell her plainly. “Nobody’s hurt. They’re safe. You’re safe.”
Her shoulders ease a fraction, but her chest still heaves.
“I’m stayin’,” I add. “I’m not leavin’ you alone tonight. Question is, Honey… where do you want me?”
She freezes for a moment, and just when I think she’s going to create some space between us, she rises on her toes, fists thefront of my shirt to lower me, until our lips are nothing more than a breath apart.
“Here. With me. I want you with me, Lawson.”
I lean forward, my lip grazing hers ever so slightly. “Is this okay?” I ask.
“Yes.”
That’s all I need.
The moment that one word leaves her lips, my mouth takes hers. My hands settle at her waist. Not tight but not tentative. I hold her in a way that’s certain. More certain of this moment than I’ve ever been about anything. I feel her exhale when I touch her, feel the way her body relaxes into the contact instead of away from it.
And it’s exactly what I want.
Because this is all on her.
Her choice.
I won’t take something else from her.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” I murmur between kisses.
“Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop,” she says breathlessly as her lips graze the scar along my jaw.
Something fierce coils in my chest.
I kiss her slowly. Not because I don’t want more, but because she deserves time. Patience. Lifting my hands to her jaw, I brush my thumb along her cheek, and she leans into it like she’s been waiting to be held exactly like this.
Every response she gives me matters. Every breath, every shift, every satisfied sigh. I lead, yes, but she decides how far we go.
I feel it in the way she clutches my shirt, the way her body presses impossibly tight against mine, the way her breath stutters when I murmur her name like a promise.
And for a moment, anger flashes through me. Not at her. Never her. But at the thought of anyone who ever made her feellike softness was unsafe. Like control had to be taken instead of given.
That’ll never happen again.
Resting my forehead against hers, I breathe her in, letting the moment stretch instead of rush. Letting the heat build without burning us both. “You’re safe,” I whisper against her lips. “I’ve got you.”
Her hands tighten their grip on me as those hazel eyes dance between mine. “I was broken once, Lawson. But I’m not anymore,” she says as she runs one hand through my hair. The scrape of her nails against my scalp sends shivers down my spine. “At least, I don’t want to be.”
“You’re not broken, Honey.”
