Page 4 of Torin

One of the women near the fire smiles into her drink.

Across the room, Tasha catches my eye and raises her champagne glass.

Then the old man takes Cade by the wrist. “Do you claim her fully?”

“I do.” Cade says it easily, like he’s signing for a package.

The man joins our hands together. “The ceremony is complete. You are officially mated.”

My father raises his glass. “About damn time.”

The room surges around us. Men slap Cade on the shoulders and shove beers into his hands. Someone whistles. Someone else shouts, “Sheriff finally coughed up the goods, huh?”

Cade keeps one arm around my waist while everyone congratulates him.

Like he’s won something. Maybe he has.

“Wait till he claims her tonight,” somebody calls.

Laughter rolls through the room.

Cade bends toward me, his beard grazing my temple.

“You hear that?” he murmurs. “Whole room’s jealous of me tonight.”

Glasses rise around us.

A woman calls from beside the fire, “Try not to break her, Cade.”

More laughter.

“I’ll be gentle,” Cade says.

That gets the biggest laugh yet.

Then three men descend on Cade at once, demanding a toast.

And finally, his arm leaves my waist.

I stare at the flames.

Until now, tonight has been a point in the future. Something I could keep pushing away simply by getting through the present moment.

But not anymore.

Soon he’ll take me to that cabin. Pull off the dress he chose. Put his hands wherever he wants.

No.

All I need is one chance.

I step back.

Cade is laughing, completely at ease, accepting congratulations as if there has never been the slightest possibility that tonight might go differently from the way he planned.

I look at the drinks table. Then at him.

My heart beats faster.