Nash held him close. “What’s wrong, baby? Talk to me. Don’t make me keep guessing.”
“I should be asking you that. You’re the one who is overreacting.”
“I’m reacting to you based on what you’re feeling. Something’s bothering you. I can feel it, baby.”
Abi sighed. Well, there was something. “I’m worried about something happening to you. And I really don’t want you to have to go in there and face Mallor. Like, at all. Someone else should.”
“You’re worried about me?” Nash raised his eyebrows.
“I know. It’s new to me too.” Abi pressed his forehead to Nash’s. “Turns out I’m in love with you. It’s not at all a comfortable feeling.”
“Because you’re worried about me.”
“Because you’re walking into the lion’s den, as you so eloquently shouted at me.”
“I’m sorry for yelling, baby. You’re right. I overreacted.”
“Next time you call me dramatic, you probably should reevaluate that.” Abi cupped Nash’s cheek. “I know I shouldn’t talk you out of facing him, but I really don’t want you to.”
“It’s a good plan. He wants me, and I’m serving myself up to him.” Nash rubbed Abi’s back in long strokes, going all the way to his ass and then back up again. “You’ll be there the whole time. And the family is already in place, waiting. I’m as safe as I can be.”
“I know the plan. I get the plan, and yes, I can make myself small enough to stay hidden.” The plan was solid. Abi understood that. “The plan is not the problem.”
“Then what has you so worried?”
Abi sighed. “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
Nash didn’t respond for the longest time. Instead, he studied Abi’s expression. “Show me your mating mark.”
Abi pulled his shirt collar away from the mark and tilted his head without hesitation.
Nash held Abi’s collar and kissed the mark before biting down, breaking the skin.
Abi’s cock grew hard. The need was instantaneous and hit him hard. “Please, Daddy.”
You’ll have to wait until the job is done. When you know for sure that I’m okay. Then, I’ll let you do whatever you want. You get to choose everything.
Abi whimpered. Holy shit, that sounded like the best plan.
Nash ended the bite and licked it. When he finished, he met Abi’s gaze.
Abi panted, trying to come down from the sudden and intense pleasure.
The car stopped.
“We’re here,” Cat said.
“So let me get this straight. I tell you, I’m worried about you, and you’re rewarding me for it. Am I getting that right?”
Nash laughed. Actually laughed at Abi. The jerk. “Not at all.”
Abi huffed and rolled his eyes.
When Nash came down, he grew serious. “We’ll both make it through the next few hours in one piece.”
“I love your confidence.” Abi really did. It didn’t lessen Abi’s anxiety, but maybe saying it aloud would make that version of the ending come true. It certainly couldn’t hurt.
“We’ll be right where we want to be. Safe. With each other. In love. And more importantly, naked.”
