Exactly, I sign.Rip it and get it done.
Bran looks over at Damien.I’m going to stay here tonight at the cabin in case they need my help. Want to stay too?
Damien makes a fist and bobs it up and down like he’s knocking on a door, signingyesbefore adding,I want to be here too. I want to talk to her dad and brothers. They need to hear it from me. I want them to see that I’m telling the truth.
“Okay then,” my mom says. “One more night and then we lay it on them.”
With that settled, we help my mom clean up and then Bran says a quick bye before walking off to the cabin that Yuri and Misha often use. We hug my mom who makes us promise to stay on the property and text her if we need anything, and then I grabDamien’s hand and start walking down the gravel road. Nyx falls in step beside me while I tell Damien, “I hope you have room for some pie. I promised my grandma I’d bring you around.”
“I always have room for pie.”
We walk in silence for a few minutes until he stops and looks down at me. “I’m sorry this is so difficult. I hope you don’t regret it.”
I turn towards him and fist his shirt, pulling him closer. “I could never regret anything with you, and it’s not difficult. I just happen to have a very unique family who needs to be eased into this a little bit.”
“That’s a very kind description,” he says, making me laugh. “Like describing a rabid dog as being a little temperamental.”
I’m still smiling when I ask, “You ever going to tell me what happened today with Misha and Yuri?”
“It was nothing,” he says, and I don’t even try to hide the disbelieving look on my face, he hooks a finger under my chin and brushes his thumb along my skin. “They just wanted to try and scare me. It didn’t work, they were fine, and then we went through a drive-thru.”
I give a soft laugh at the image. “Are you making this up?”
“I’m not. We all got hamburgers and shakes. It was a very odd bonding moment.”
“What did they do to try and scare you?”
He leans in closer so his lips are near mine. “I don’t ever want to lie to you, Sitka, but I also refuse to answer this question. There are some things you don’t need to know, and I know it’s going to piss you off to hear that, but it’s the truth. Please trust me on this one. Everything is fine. I swear I’d tell you if it wasn’t.”
I think about what he’s said, and I know he’s right. Part of me wants to demand answers, but a bigger part of me is used to this. All the men in my family keep their mouths shut about anythingrelated to work. I’m not sure what all happened today, but I trust Damien. This relationship won’t work if I don’t, so instead of arguing and starting a fight when I know he’s just trying to do what’s best for me, I lace my fingers behind his neck and press my lips to his.
He opens for me instantly, deepening the kiss and wrapping an arm around me so he can press my body flush against his. Fingers fist my hair, tipping me further back as his tongue slides along mine. This man’s kisses should be outlawed. They’re too dangerous and they always end with me desperate for him and more in love than when I first felt his lips press against mine.
With his thumb under my chin and his fingers framing my face, holding me in a tight grip, he sucks on my top lip and then nips it hard enough to send a quick jolt of pleasure through every part of me.
“You’re perfect,” he whispers against my lips.
“Because I’m letting you keep your man secrets?” I tease, still feeling a bit loopy from that kiss.
He grins down at me. “No, because you’re you. I am glad you’re letting me keep my man secrets though.”
“I probably don’t want to know what you’re hiding from me anyway,” I say, and when he neither confirms nor denies, I reach up and drag my finger along his lips. “Man, you really are a vault.”
He kisses the pad of my finger and says, “You could get it out of me if you wanted. I think you could get me to do just about anything.”
My fingers drag along the short stubble that’s grown in since this morning. “I’ll try not to use my powers for evil.” I drag my hand lower, grazing his chest and abs. “Although,” I start to say, but he grabs my hand before I can drift lower.
“I really love your filthy mind,besyonok,but I can’t sit down with your grandma and eat pie if all I can think about is sliding into her sexy granddaughter.”
I laugh at the image, watching him bring my hand up so he can kiss it. “Yeah, might be best if we put this on hold for a bit.”
“Agreed.” Sliding his fingers between mine, he reaches down to give Nyx a pet and some praise which she eats up like she’s starved for it instead of the pampered pooch I know she is.
We walk towards my grandma’s cabin, and when Nyx realizes where we’re headed, she gives a happy bark and takes off running, My grandma hears her and opens the door with a laugh, dog treat already in hand. Nyx sits, tail wagging a mile a minute against the porch while she waits for her treat. Once she has it, she walks to the edge of the porch and plops down so she can chew it in peace.
“I’m glad you two were able to come,” my grandma says before pulling me in for a hug. She grabs Damien next, giving him a full hug that he returns with a smile.
“It’s good to see you again, ma’am,” Damien says, making my grandma laugh.
