He places his hand over mine, a light touch, careful not to trap me. “Come and visit me again. If you want to. Come back a hundred times until you’re certain about what you want. Or don’t come back if you don’t want to. Either way, I won’t ask for anything.”
My heart thuds in my chest at the way that his heart, his emotions, his thoughts, they’re all bare to me.
Heiswhat I see.
Calm. In control. With a fire inside him that will drive him, but never hurt me.
“Is it okay if I’ve seen enough?” I whisper, rising to my tiptoes, my lips so close to his that they will touch if he chooses to close the gap. “Is it okay if I’ve already seen everything I need to see?”
His answer is to lean forward.
My lips tingle as they connect with his.
I sense his stillness but also the hitch in his breathing, and it takes all of my willpower to pull back.
His arms rise, finally encircling my waist, slowly drawing me closer.
He drops a kiss on my forehead. A tentative touch. Then, another kiss on my cheek. Then, a third on the corner of my mouth, each touch light, making me tremble and my toes curl.
He dips his head to kiss my chin before returning to nuzzle my cheek with his, his hellhound’s favorite gesture.
When he pulls back, his eyes are alive with flames that promise to warm me, defend me, and shelter me for the rest of my life.
I smile as I read the question on his lips.
“Yes,” I whisper. “You may.”
His arms wrap fully around me, pulling me close, enfolding me in a hug, the best fucking hug.
It takes my breath away and fills my chest with his scent and my heart with all of the peace radiating out from him.
So much peace that, once I’ve soaked up his hug for the longest, most amazing minutes, I can’t help the wicked grin growing on my face.
Because maybe… very soon… when we’re both ready… I’d like him to not feel so peaceful.
I’d like him to let out his wants and his needs and all the heat I know he can give me.
All the desire entwined with all the care.
Soon.
Soon enough.
But for now, this is everything I need.
41. STRIKER DRAVEN
TWO MONTHS LATER
Sweat drips down my face and back as I push myself to run faster along the track beside the coastline. The ocean crashes on the cliffs beside me, drowning out the sound of my rapid breaths filling my chest with salty air.
In the distance, the sun rises, the first rays of daylight promising me a new day and all its possibilities.
A life that I won’t ever take for granted.
I slow my pace as I approach my home.
Peyton’s home.
