I followed him, leaning against the counter as he poured steaming coffee into our mugs.“Practical things,” I repeated, testing the words.After running, being in survival mode, practical felt like an unexpected luxury.“Like what?”
He handed me my refilled mug, our fingers brushing in the exchange.“Like what you want to do here.With the space.With your time.”His eyes met mine over the rim of his cup.“With your life.”
The question should have overwhelmed me.Instead, I felt a flutter of excitement -- possibilities opening rather than closing.I turned, gesturing toward the living room.“I was thinking curtains, for one thing.Those windows let in beautiful light, but the blinds are…”
“Hideous,” he supplied with a slight smile.“Been meaning to replace them for years.”
“And maybe some more bookshelves along that wall,” I continued, warming to the subject as we moved back into the living room.“I had to leave my books behind when I ran, but I could start collecting again.”
“You think everything is gone?”he asked.
“Probably.At least, anything I would consider important.Davis wasn’t the sort to leave that stuff where I could easily get to it.He’d want to use it as leverage, or as a way to punish me.”
Samson nodded, his eyes tracking where I pointed, already visualizing the changes.“I can build more shelves, then we can go shopping to buy whatever books you want.”
We moved through the cabin’s main room toward the small hallway leading to the bedroom and bathroom.My hand trailed along the wall, mind racing with possibilities I’d never allowed myself to consider during my first days here.
“The space behind the cabin gets good morning sun,” I said hesitantly.“I thought maybe a small garden.Herbs, at least.Maybe vegetables if there’s time before the first frost.”
Samson smiled a little.“I like hearing you talk about plans.Reminds me I’m not alone anymore.And with Chief Davis out of the picture, we can build a life together.”His hand came up to cup my cheek, calloused palm gentle against my skin.I leaned into his touch.
The words settled something restless in my chest.I turned my face slightly, pressing a kiss to his palm before continuing down the hallway.We paused at the bedroom doorway, looking into the space.The king-size bed dominated the room, its dark wood frame sturdy and masculine.My few belongings had gradually migrated from bags to dresser drawers, my hairbrush finding permanent residence on the nightstand, my borrowed clothes hanging beside his in the closet.
“What about in the compound?”I asked, pivoting to another aspect of our future.“Is there a place for me here beyond being your…” I hesitated, uncertain what term applied now.
“My woman,” he supplied.“My old lady, in club terms.But that doesn’t define what you do or who you are.”
I nodded, appreciating the distinction.“I’m good with numbers.Organization.Before…” I swallowed hard, pushing past memories of my interrupted life.“Before Davis, I was studying business administration.I’d finished three years of a four-year degree.”
Something sparked in Samson’s eyes -- interest, not surprise.“The club has legitimate businesses that could use those skills.The garage books are a mess.The property management company Beast set up needs someone detail-oriented.”
“I could help with that,” I said, excitement building at the thought of using my mind again, of contributing something beyond gratitude for protection.“And maybe, someday, finish my degree.”
I watched his face carefully, testing, probing for any resistance to the idea of me having connections beyond the compound.Instead, his expression opened, a smile spreading across his features.
“State university’s not too bad of a drive.I told you before you could go back to school if you wanted.It’s definitely doable.But it’s also your decision.”
The casual acceptance, the immediate support without hesitation, confirmed everything I’d come to believe about this man.He wanted me safe but not confined.Protected, but not controlled.
“Let’s not rush.”I smiled to soften the words.“I need time to settle in, to be sure before jumping back into that world.But knowing it’s possible…” I stepped closer, my hands finding his waist.“Thank you for understanding.”
His arms encircled me, pulling me gently against his chest.“There’s something I want to show you.”He released me after a moment and moved toward the dresser against the far wall.
I watched as he opened the top drawer and withdrew a small wooden box, its surface polished to a soft gleam.He turned, holding it carefully, the gesture suggesting its contents meant a great deal to him.
“I got this after the courthouse,” he explained, returning to stand before me.“Was waiting for the right moment.”
He extended the box toward me, and I took it with suddenly trembling hands.The wood felt smooth beneath my fingers as I lifted the hinged lid.Inside, nestled on a bed of dark blue velvet, lay a delicate silver bracelet.Not flashy or weighed down with club symbols as I might have expected, but elegantly simple -- a slender band of twisted silver strands catching the light like water.
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, running a finger along its curves.
“It’s not a claim token,” Samson said, his voice dropping lower as he watched my reaction.“Not a brand or a mark of ownership.”He took the bracelet from the box, holding it between his fingers.“I want you to have this not because you’re mine, but because we chose each other.Equal ground.Equal choice.”
Tears blurred my vision as he fastened the bracelet around my wrist, just below where the zip tie scars were fading.The contrast wasn’t lost on me -- marks of control replaced by a symbol of choice.I blinked rapidly, clearing my eyes to watch as he secured the clasp.
“I never thought I’d find this,” I admitted, my voice catching slightly as I lifted my wrist, watching the silver catch the morning light.“Someone who sees me.Not as something to possess or control, but as a person to stand beside.”
Samson’s hands came up to frame my face, thumbs wiping away the tears escaping despite my efforts.“All I want,” he said, voice rough with emotion, “is to stand beside you and face whatever comes together.”
