Page 113

With my lips brushing against hers, I admit, “I’m so fucking obsessed with you. You are my entire world. My every breath and heartbeat. I would wage wars for you and burn down everything that’s a threat.” I stare so deep into her eyes that I see how each word reaches her heart, making her emotional. “You are my beginning and end, the hill I choose to die on.”

“Rowan.” The word is nothing more than an awe-filled breath against my mouth, and I inhale it. “My wolf, all death and darkness to others, but so gentle with me.” Lifting her hand, she trails her fingers through my hair, her eyes moving lovingly over my face.

I watch as her throat strains and tears well in her eyes, then she sucks in a quivering breath and says, “I realized I didn’t lose my old life when I chose you. I found the one that was always waiting for me.”

Tears roll down the sides of her temples, and I brush them away with my thumbs as I absorb every word she tells me.

“You’re not just my forever. You’re the only place that’s ever felt like home,” she continues. “If the world comes for us tomorrow, if everything falls apart, I will run with you. Every time.”

Christ, my heart.

Her eyebrows draw together in the way that I love so much, and I clench my jaw.

“I love the man you are when the world isn’t watching, the one who lets down his guard when he’s alone with me. I want a lifetime of quiet moments that belong only to us.” More tears spill from her eyes. “I didn’t fall in love with the safe parts of you, Rowan. I fell for the darkness, your strength, and your endurance. I fell for the man who looks at me like I’m the only thing worth fighting for, and I’ll spend every tomorrow loving you just as fiercely.”

“Christ, Annie,” I groan, her words wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

I take her mouth, wanting to taste those words, and as I kiss her with reverence, I begin to thrust deep and hard, keeping the pace slow. With every brush of my tongue and slow plunge of my cock, I worship Annie and show her how much I love her.

She answers my groans with soft moans, and when she comes again, I grip her tightly to me and find heaven in her body.

“Mine.” It’s nothing but a low rumble of possessiveness. “All fucking mine.”

“Only yours,” she whispers into my mouth, her hands caressing my shoulders and back. “And you mine.” Her lips curve up. “My big bad wolf.”

Annie

After we got settled in a hotel, I went with Rowan to meet a man who specializes in creating new identities and arranging all the paperwork that goes with it.

It didn’t cross my mind that there would be photos taken, so my new ID is probably going to look like I was posing for a mug shot.

Standing at the window in our hotel room, I stare down at the street, where a festival is in full swing, women dressed in colorful outfits dance while people stand on the sides, laughing, singing, and having fun.

It’s quite the change of scenery after the past couple of weeks.

Rowan comes to stand beside me, his arm brushing against mine. “Would you like to go?”

My gaze snaps to his, surprise rippling through me. “Can we?”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “Yes. We’re home free, Ana. We can do anything we want.”

Ana.

An excited smile spreads over my face. “I’d love to.”

He leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead, then smacks my butt and says, “Let’s go.”

“Wait.” I rush to the luggage we brought with us from the yacht. “I want to change into something more festival-worthy.”

Rowan . . . Reid takes a seat on the side of the bed and watches as I dig through the bags. I decide on a flowy bohemian-style dress. Blue with light brown patterns and wide sleeves.

“Perfect.” I search for a pair of sandals, and finding what I’m looking for, I quickly change.

“You don’t have to rush,” he says.

While I pull the dress over my head, I mention, “It’s going to take some getting used to calling you Reid. What if I slip up?”

“You did well switching from Owen to Rowan.”