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Two people like us.
I stand when she doesn’t move from the doorway. “You okay?” I ask, moving toward her.
“Yeah.” She nibbles her lip. “Yeah, I think I am.”
“You think? Or you know?” I stop in front of her, aching to touch her. So I do, stroking her hair back and tracing her cheek.
“I’m pretty sure. I had a tiny moment earlier when Casey arrived. She startled me. But I just thought about you, and it went away. I think I can handle this, Barrett.”
“I’m really glad to hear that. It means you could be past the worst of it. I’m not surprised. You’re so strong.”
Her beautiful lips curl into a smile, and I want to taste them. I lean down and brush my mouth over hers. She sighs.
“I’ve been wanting to do this all day,” I say against her lips. Her arms curl around my neck.
“Funny you should say that because—” The rest of her words are swallowed by my mouth. When I lift my head, her cheeks are flushed. She licks her lips. “What…what did your Alpha want?”
She doesn’t need to know.
“Just a security issue,” I hedge. “You were great today. I thought you’d struggle with everyone around you.”
“I was worried, too, but I kept it together. And then, after you arrived, everything was better.”
“It was, huh?” I graze another kiss over her sweet mouth.
“Yeah.” She’s breathless. “So much better.” She pulls back a bit. “I like it when you’re near, Barrett. I like it a lot.”
“I like it a lot, too.”
“That’s because you think I’m your mate?” Her expression has shifted slightly.
“I know you’re my mate, Cedara.” I cup her jaw, tilting her head up so I can hold her gaze. “I’ve never been more certain of anything.”
She licks her lips again. “Well, I… I think I feel it too.”
My heart clenches so tightly that I feel like I may never breathe again. “You do?” I finally manage to say. I can’t remember hearing anything that made me feel better.
“I do.” Her eyes are still locked with mine. “Barrett…” She pulls in a deep breath, then launches on, “Will you mark me? Like I did to you?” Her eyes drop to my throat where I can feel her bite tingling.
I pause. “You want to seal the mate bond?” It’s amazing to me that my voice can sound so calm when my heart is galloping like a mustang.
“Yes. Yes, I want to seal the mate bond.” Her eyes are earnest.
“You’re sure?” God, if she’s not sure, my chest will implode.
“I’m sure, Barrett. I want this. I want you.”
“Because you can control your wolf when I’m around?” I need to know this.
“No. Because I can’t imagine a life without you in it anymore. I know it’s only been days, but I can’t remember what it felt like before you.”
“That’s because they had you in a daze, Cedara.” My thumb traces along her jawline.
“Actually, I think I was in a daze before they ever took me. I think maybe I spent my whole life just waiting for this…this connection.”
I can’t argue with her because that’s what it feels like for me, too. “If you’re sure…”
“I’m so sure, Barrett. Being with you today…seeing how we could be when things aren’t messed up. That’s what I want.”
