Page 115 of Twisted Needs

“Pet’ka.” I slide my hand up his cheek and give him a comforting look. “Frankenstein hated his Monster,” I murmur. “He abandoned him.”

“Oh.” He says it flatly, but I can tell his mind is racing.

Looking up at him, I press a kiss to his chin, kissing my way up to his lips. “Pet’ka.”

“Mm.” He pecks me once on the lips. “Anders.”

My chest hurts. Just from feeling too much all at once. Before I can talk myself out of it, I sit up and tug Parker with me, wrapping my arms around him. A genuine hug. The kind that means more than a kiss ever could.

I could cry of happiness when he hugs me back, nuzzling his neck into the nape of my shoulder. It just…after everything, this is why I fought so hard. Because of this exact feeling. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted.

“Oh, Parker,” I sigh, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck. “You have no idea how good this makes me feel.”

“Sure?” I feel his lips brush over my shoulder, his breath tickling my skin. “This makes you happy?”

I thread my fingers through the hair, holding him by the back of his head. “You’re my happy.”

He kisses me long and hard on my temple, running his fingers over the back of my neck. My hair sticks up, goosebumps prickling my skin all over. “Good.” He leans back and brushes his nose over mine. “You’re my happy, too.”

My throat tightens. It’s ridiculous. I’ve spent years imagining what it would feel like to hear him say something like that. Somehow, reality is worse.

“Happy, happy, happy…” I chant beneath my breath, almost absentmindedly.

Parker brushes his thumb along my jaw.

No—this is better. So much fucking better than I could have ever imagined. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and nuzzle my face into the crook of his neck.

His hand settles on the back of my head as he holds me close.

“Parker,” I whisper. “I like you.”

He lets out an amused grunt, dragging his hand up and down my back. “I like you too,” he whispers back.

My mouth curls into a grin. “How much?” I look up at him and bat my lashes.

“So much…” Parker whispers even lower. “It has me questioning …everything.”

“Don’t,” I frown. “I told you⁠—”

“It has me wondering what I did to deserve you.” My breathing stops. I can hear my heart beat from every corner of my body. He swipes his thumb across my cheek.

“You don’t have to wonder,” I murmur. “Just learn to enjoy it.”

CHAPTER 30

A HOSTAGE SITUATION

PARKER

The first thing I hear when I wake up is my phone vibrating against the nightstand. For one blissful second, I forget what happened last night. Then Anders shifts beside me with a sleepy little sound, his bare legs tangled with mine beneath the sheets, and it all comes crashing back. My stomach drops so hard it almost feels good.

I reach for the phone before it wakes him fully and squint at the screen.

Luca. Of fucking course.

I drag a hand down my face before answering. “You’re calling pretty early.” Beside me, Anders curls closer automatically, still half asleep. His forehead brushes against my ribs.

“I just heard some very interesting news,” Luca says. There’s already a grin in his voice. Instigating little shit.