Page 44 of Worth Risking It

He gulped loudly, his hands slapping to my thighs. “I know.”

Pursing my lips and arching my brows, I sat up straight, gazing down at him. “But I love you so damn much, I’m willing to die to have these moments with you.”

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Sitting up, he held the sides of my face and whispered, “Then let’s make sure we take advantage of these times.” His lips on mine, he sank into the mattress, urging me to ride him.

Moaning, his hands on my body, I fell into a trance, feeling this man’s love touching my soul. How had I not noticed it before? Now that I knew, I could look back and see he’d felt this way for a while, probably longer than I loved him.

My palms on his pecs, I sat up just enough to gaze into his eyes as we climbed the peak together. Choking on a gasp, I tensed, a tremor undulating my spine as we came in unison, never breaking the stare.

Yes, I loved this man. Yes, I loved Milo.

And yes, I would die to be with either of them.

Chapter 18

Wyatt Shaw

The movie was winding down, coming to the so-called dramatic climax. Slouching low on my sofa, my ankles crossed and propped on the coffee table, I had a bowl of popcorn on one side, and my kitten curled up on my other. I wasn’t surprised she was sleeping. Though she had insisted she was interested in the film, I could tell she was just trying to appease my interests.

Tossing a couple pieces into my mouth, I gazed at her upturned face, combing my fingers through her bangs. The tip of her nose twitched and bounced like a bunny, the nostrils flaring in and out for a few seconds. Well, that had to be the cutest goddamn thing I had ever seen.

I swallowed the food, my smile falling, my heart swelling. I had never been with a woman where we enjoyed one another’s company doing simple things as much as we enjoyed having sex. Usually, whenever Milo left town for a few days, within a couple hours after he left, we were going at it like wild animals.

Once we were satiated, the next couple days, we just spent time together. We went on walks across the street at the lake, we went to the city to go shopping, we snuggled on the couch watching television. It wasn’t all about the sex with her, and I think that’s what I loved most about Chastity.

Then again, I had never been friends with a woman before I became intimate with her. Usually, my relationships started on instant attraction and went from there.

Chastity had started out with me detesting her very presence. I was appalled at her appearance, her attitude, and everything about her.

Over time, she helped me shed one layer after another of ignorance until I suddenly found myself looking at the most amazing human being I had ever had the privilege of meeting.

A constriction blocked my throat. Why her? Why the one woman in the world I couldn’t have, turned out to be the one my soul needed most?

Because I wasn’t meant for that kind of life. I was born for one purpose only; protect Milo and have sons to protect his kids one day.

Finding my soulmate, the love of my life, living happily ever after wasn’t part of the plan for my destiny. I was a Shaw, Shaw’s didn’t get those advantages. We were protectors, nothing more.

Her face scrunched, her bottom lip puckering. Rolling her head, she grew restless, moaning under her breath. Snapping her head toward my chest, an arm flew out, her legs moving. Her lips curled around her teeth, and she whimpered, curling into the fetal position. With a high-pitched squeal, her knees pulled to her chest, her arms folding over her head, a muted scream catching her throat.

My brows furrowed, my insides slowing down. “Kitten.”

Chastity shrieked and woke up sobbing, flipping to her belly, her hands folded behind her head, her face in my lap. “No!”

Jolted, my heart sank, my breaths shallowing. Pushing the bowl aside, I laid my hand to the center of her back, whispering her name.

Screeching, she thrashed, wailing frantically. “No!”

I gulped, throwing my palms in the air, gawking at her falling apart from a nightmare I could only assume was terrifying by her reaction.

“Chazzy,” I called gently, gradually lowering my touch to her bicep.

She whimpered and tensed, shaking her head.

“Hey, hey. Chazzy.”

Her muscles locked, a breath catching her throat. Bit by bit, she uncurled and tipped her face toward me, her wet lashes batting the tears from her velvety eyes. The second her sight locked on mine, they rolled with a heavy exhale, her face dropping back to my lap.

“Jesus, kitten,” I muttered, petting her back. “You okay?”