Mine

The words still filled him with a twinge of frustration, but he needed her to know nothing about their relationship—and that’s what it was—would be once and done. Some issues would take time and nurturing. Sometimes she’d need to be patient and let him come around. “Making a go of us means talking stuff through.”

“I tried.”

“We should probably give each other more than one shot before we throw up our hands and give up.”

She placed two fingers against his lips and rested her forehead against his. “You’re right.”

“Then don’t leave me.” The harsh whisper tore out of him.

She lifted her head and her gaze traveled over his face. “Gabe.”

“Any chance you’re falling for me, too?” He had to know hope at least lingered there. He didn’t need much to keep the spark going, but he could not do this alone.

Her hands traveled the whole way up to his shoulders. “Yes.”

He didn’t dare jump in. Not when he could have heard her wrong or might have misunderstood. “Say it.”

“I am falling for you.” Her fingers played at the base of his neck. Slipped into his hair. “Already have.”

Every word freed him. They washed over him like a cleansing shower, drowning out the doubts and pain. But he sensed she held something back. “And?”

“It scares the crap out of me.”

He didn’t fight off the lightness flowing through him now, because that made two of them. “Trust comes hard to both of us, but I do trust you.”

She winced. “Even after the DNA test.”

This time Gabe didn’t hesitate. He understood why she did it, that she was the type of person who would do it because she solved problems. Over time the shock of all of it would fade. “Even after that.”

“I never meant to hurt you.” She caressed his cheek.

He caught her hand and placed a soothing kiss in the center of her palm. “I know.”

“And I didn’t want to leave.”

He knew admitting that meant a lot coming from her. She wouldn’t throw the words around. Neither would he. “Then come back to me.”

She shook her head as a smile broke over her mouth. “Yes.”

“Yes?” She held her tight against him, not wanting one inch of air to separate their bodies. “No more ru

She practically jumped into his arms. “You’re stuck with me.”

“Most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.” Andy shook his head. “Now get back in Gabe’s car before I shoot you both.”

“Your brother is a killjoy,” she said between kisses.

“Don’t worry. I’m not inviting him back to the house with us.”

TWENTY-NINE

Natalie couldn’t keep her body still for one more second. She lifted up and then sank back down on the impressive length of his cock. Her legs shook on the mattress on either side of his thighs from the force of holding back her orgasm. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as her body rocked back and forth.

She wanted to milk every ounce of feeling and stretch out the last few minutes. After a week of rolling around in the sheets, exploring every acre of his property and every inch of his house, so few secrets remained between them. Neither held back any information about how they liked to be touched and what they liked during lovemaking. He knew this was her favorite position and rolled over so she could be on top pretty often.

His mouth continued its gentle assault on her breasts. He licked and caressed. The joint pressure from him being inside her and around her, touching and tasting her, sent the last of her control crashing. She couldn’t wait another second. She came with her head tilted back and her hair slipping over her shoulders.

His body shook under hers and she squeezed those tiny internal muscles together one more time. His groan broke through the sensual haze winding around her. She tried to say something but gave into the exhaustion pulling at her muscles after the shaking stopped. Her shoulders fell forward, and he caught her against his chest.

Her body pulsed in the aftermath as his orgasm overtook him. His hands shook and his breath rushed out of him. When the vibrations finally stopped, he settled back into the stack of pillows behind him and took her with him.

In the darkness of the cool room, she took stock. Every minute of the last few days had buzzed along with her love for him getting bigger and brighter. They’d talked with Brandon and she’d checked in with Bast and Eli. It looked as if the bulk of the danger had passed, but Gabe still watched over her as if she were a precious commodity someone might try to steal.

He made her feel powerful and beautiful even as he protected and nagged and otherwise acted like the Gabe she’d known from the begi

Her hand snaked up his body to wrap around his neck. She couldn’t find the strength or will to sit up, so she settled against his shoulder and let her mouth linger over his throat.

“I love you.” The words eased out of her as if they’d been sitting on her tongue just waiting to tumble out.

Her eyes popped open and she felt her spine go stiff. Maybe he’d fallen asleep or not heard or . . .

“That’s a big word,” he said in a rich, deep voice.

The words vibrated through her because he spoke right by her ear. She thought about hiding in the crook of his neck but decided there was no reason. She could say it, take the risk. If he wasn’t ready, she would wait. For the first time in her life, she’d step out on the emotional limb and hope he’d eventually join her.

“Hey.” He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “Any chance you’d be willing to say that again. I’m thinking a lot louder and while I’m looking at you.”

The courage turned out to be inside her all along. She didn’t need to dig to find it. Of course the big smile on his face and in his voice didn’t hurt.

“I love you.” This time she said it in a full voice, dipping down to her soul and letting the words ring out.

He closed his eyes. “Oh, thank God,” he said in a whisper.

She slid a hand over the back of his head and leaned in to kiss his forehead. “I never expected it, certainly didn’t plan on it, but you crashed into my life and turned it upside down.”

He winked at her. “In a good way.”

“In the very best way.”

“That’s good since I am so stupid in love with you I can barely see straight.” His fingertips danced over her cheek then down to her lips. “I didn’t even know love could be like this, so overwhelming and bright and healing.”

Every word touched her. He wasn’t the type to break out in poetry or make big grand gestures, but he’d proven from the start that he would make concessions for her. He’d bend the rules and change his life around.

His love humbled her. She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve it but she refused to push it away. “Gabe.”

“I don’t care how many days have passed or how much more we need to discover about each other. That future together, the one we hinted at and almost blew, I want it.” He repeated the words he said to her every night. “Stay with me.”

This time instead of saying she would, she went with the answer that played over and over in her head. “Always.”

He kissed her then. Not one of those sweet ones and not one that spiked her temperature. This one rumbled in the middle and held a promise. One she could feel and taste. This man had staying power. He would not break her. Would not walk away.

She lifted her head and stared at him. Even a few days ago she wouldn’t have broached this subject. She would have enjoyed what they had and not rocked their calm world. But she felt empowered. “We need to talk about something.”