A burst of laughter escaped her. “I never thought it possible, but I missed this about you.”
“Do you want me to go and get the lotion?”
“That sounds more like a hundredth date kind of thing,” she teased.
“Guess we’re going to have at least three dates a day then.” He placed his glass down and held his arms out to her. “Come here.”
She went eagerly to him. He enfolded her within his powerful embrace when she curled up against his chest. Serenity slid through her as she stared out at the town and desert. The monsters who had been hiding amongst their community and killing innocents were dead, but there were still bigger dangers out there. Coming for her.
Maybe she should feel fear about what was out there, but she found it impossible to do so in his arms. This kind of a relationship was the last thing she’d ever wanted in her life, but as his lips nuzzled her temple and her heart swelled, she came to realize she was falling in love with this man.
The words were on the tip of her tongue to utter, she found herself unable to speak them. Still raw from Angie’s death, she couldn’t expose herself in such a way right now. If he didn’t say it back, her already bruised heart would be trampled.
“Quinn,” he murmured against her ear.
“Hmm?”
“I’m not going to let anything hurt you. I’ll do everything it takes to keep you safe.”
She rested her hand upon his cheek when she turned toward him. This small bit of peace wouldn’t last, not for them, but for now the town was safe and they had each other. It was more than she’d ever hoped for in her shattered life.
“I know.”
Julian searched her striking eyes. He didn’t think she completely understood what he was saying to her, but she would. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to keep her out of danger.
He’d promised himself two years ago he’d never allow the monster within to take control of him again, but he would joyfully give in to his evil nature again in order to keep her alive. He was fully prepared to do so; he just hoped everyone else was prepared for it when the time came. If anyone could handle it, Quinn could.
She wasn’t malicious, but she understood sometimes they had to do things they didn’t want to; she’d proven that when she’d put Seanix out of his misery. She may not completely approve of it, but she accepted his more malevolent nature; she’d shown that when she hadn’t turned away from him after watching him take such pleasure in killing Drew. He had to make sure he didn’t go so far as to push her away in the end, but he would do that too if it meant keeping her on this earth.
Until then, he was going to enjoy every peaceful minute he could get with this woman. They wouldn’t get too many more quiet moments together. Brushing back a strand of her chocolate hair, he cupped her cheek and pulled her closer to him. He was beginning to suspect she may mean far more to him than he’d ever realized, but he wasn’t ready to delve into the possibility of her being his mate, not yet.
Her eyes closed as he tilted her head back and kissed her until she went limp in his arms and his control was beginning to unravel. He’d like nothing more than to lay her down on the blanket and lose himself in her, but she was still shaken from Angie’s death, and he knew she wasn’t ready for it. Reluctantly, he broke off the kiss, pulled her into his lap and cradled her within his arms. They didn’t speak as they watched the stars and listened to the sounds of the night.
The candles had burned out, dawn was approaching when her eyes drifted closed, and she fell asleep still curled within his arms. He stared down at the lashes brushing against her cheeks and the scars marring her porcelain skin.
Hard fought battle wounds, he thought as he brushed his fingers over them.
“I love you, Quinn,” he murmured.
It didn’t matter that she didn’t hear him, what mattered was he’d finally admitted it to himself. What mattered was he’d meant the words and that this woman could be his. For the first time in his lengthy life he was in love with someone he could give his heart to, and who was actually capable of loving him back.
No matter how hard she tried to hide it, he knew she cared for him too. He didn’t need his ability to know that. All he needed was the knowledge that with everything she knew about him, and had witnessed, she still trusted him enough to kiss him, touch him and to have fallen asleep right now.
His fingers paused on her lips. He bent his head to kiss her again before rising fluidly to his feet. Walking over to the stairs, he carried her inside as the sun’s rays started to rise on a new day. One he hoped remained peaceful, but he knew with each new day the threat against her loomed ever closer. When that day came, he would be standing beside this woman, and he would be prepared for it.
The End.
Arctic Fire (The Fire & Ice Series, Book 2)
is now available.
Arctic Fire on Amazon: http://bit.ly/ArFrAmz
If you haven’t read it yet, you can get more of Julian in The Kindred Series.
Kindred on Amazon: http://bit.ly/KinrdAm
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About the Author
Erica Stevens is the author of the Captive Series, Kindred Series, Fire & Ice Series, Ravening Series, and the Survivor Chronicles. She enjoys writing young adult, new adult, romance, horror, and science fiction. She also writes adult paranormal romance and historical romance under the pen name, Brenda K. Davies. When not out with friends and family, she is at home with her husband, dog, and horse.
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