Rebirth - Book 1 Rogues Shifter Series

by Gayle Parness

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  A perfect gentleman, Garrett held the door of his lovely home open for me and I stepped inside. A fire was already burning in the fireplace, and the shadows dancing around the room reminded me of the way the embers had reflected on the cabin walls the first night I’d spoken to him on the island.

  He took my hand and my backpack. “C’mon.” He led me into the kitchen and showed me he’d had the refrigerator and cupboards stocked with food. I looked around surprised to see the mess I’d left from dinner was cleaned up. The place was spotless. “Elves,” he teased, and we laughed.

  Tonight he looked his twenty years, carefree and excited and so hot I almost jumped him right there, but I figured we had all night to get serious. Because of our emotional connection, he could feel my heat too. He looked at me with an amused expression, then shook his head and started walking. “This way.” I followed him down the hallway toward his room, only instead, he turned me into the room across from his, another bedroom.

  The queen-sized bed was a four-poster, draped with a lovely blue fabric that coordinated with the custom window blinds. The light teal sheets matched the fluffy down comforter, a very feminine and inviting combination. The furniture was a light oak and my bare feet sank comfortably into the rich cream carpeting. It was quite lovely, but definitely not what I’d planned on for this evening.

  Irritation colored my tone when I turned to him and said, “Garrett, I thought you wanted … I thought we’d be sleeping together.”

  “We’ve talked about this.” He sounded irritated himself as he dropped my backpack on the bed and ran his hand through his hair. Because of our emotional connection, I could sense his desire for me. Here we were in my bedroom, so wicked woman that I was, I sauntered over and pressed myself against him, leaning in to kiss him.

  He grabbed my shoulders a little too tightly and held me away at arm’s length, forcing me to face him. “Let me be clear.” He spoke softly but I could feel tension and frustration rolling off of him. “If you continue to throw yourself at me, I’ll eventually cave. I may have lived over two hundred years, but physically, I’m a healthy young male.”

  Who didn’t want me, no matter what his body was telling him. His words bit into my heart and I began to tremble, humiliated and horribly embarrassed. He pulled me closer to stroke my hair, trying to be reassuring. “You’ve gone through a lot of crap, some of it sexual abuse. You need time to heal, my love.”

  “You’ve healed me.” A tear ran down my cheek and he caught it with his finger as if it was something precious. “You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted to touch me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever want to be touched again after....” I looked away from him, shamed by my confession.

  “Come into the living room and sit with me.” He took my hand and I followed him reluctantly. Some of my old uncertainty had started spinning around in my mind. It was clear he didn’t want me the way I wanted him. I’d practically thrown myself at him and he’d refused. What did I expect? I wasn’t a virgin. He probably thought I was damaged beyond repair. Maybe I was. But then why did he say he loved me and why did he invite me to stay with him?

  A few more tears raced each other down my cheeks. We sat in front of the fire and he put both of his arms around me and spoke softly into my hair. “I’m not rejecting you. Please don’t take it that way.” His voice vibrated through my body, calming me. “I love you and I want you to trust me.” He turned my face so I was forced to look at him. “You’re so beautiful and strong—incredible in so many ways.” He stroked his knuckles along my jaw, moving them gently over my lips. “I only want us to wait until you’re ready—until what happened in your past no longer affects the choices you make.” He nuzzled my ear and ran his lips down my neck. “You’re worth waiting for.”

  With a moan, I hugged him, burying my head against his chest. Tears were flowing more freely now, my anxiety pouring out in streams. Garrett wrapped me in strong, consoling arms, whispering words of love and encouragement. I didn’t know exactly why I was crying, only that I felt safe doing it with him. I didn’t feel like a loser or a freak when I opened my heart to Garrett.

  We held each other in front of the fire and after some prodding from Garrett, I finally felt able to talk about the foster father who’d beaten me and his seventeen-year-old son who’d raped me. I talked about it more calmly than I thought possible, but Garrett could feel my past terror and guilt as if they were his own. Rage built in him once more.

  I reached out with my mind. “If you kill these men to avenge me, I’ll feel responsible for their deaths. They aren’t fostering children anymore.”

  His emotions spun between fury and concern. He sighed and pulled me into his lap, turning my face toward his and leaning his forehead against mine. I tried to turn away, knowing my eyes looked red and puffy and my hair was an ugly tangle, but I couldn’t twist out of his firm grip. “I cried all over your silk shirt. I probably ruined it.” I wiped my face with the tissue he’d handed me.

  “It’s just a shirt.” Long fingers combed through my hair, passing over to my shoulder and down my bare arm, finally grasping my hand in his and kissing my palm. “Mon joli guépard, my lovely cheetah. I love you when your eyes are red and your hair is messy and you’re too stubborn to listen to my excellent advice.” He kissed my nose. “But I especially love you when you trust me enough to speak from your heart and cry on my shirt.” I clutched at the soggy shirt and pulled him toward me, the taste of my tears mingling with his delicious lips. I opened my mouth, needing the tangible reassurance of his love and he responded with passion.

  When we pulled apart, I spent a moment enjoying the aftershocks. This kiss was…. Well, how do you describe physical seismic upheaval? After opening my heart and talking about my most painful experiences, our emotional connection seemed to have strengthened, allowing me to feel every solid wave of his love for me. At first it covered me gently like a soft warm blanket but when the electricity got plugged in, I was on fire everywhere. Maybe my heart was never going to slow down again.

  Garrett played with my hand and smiled his sexy smile. I was probably broadcasting my emotions out to Mars. “What happened with those men really doesn’t matter to you? You still love me?” After the rape, I’d believed I was never going to find someone who could love me, damaged the way I was.

  “For all time, my love.” He smiled, whispering, “It’s almost dawn.” He got up gracefully and led me to my room.

  “So where do you sleep?” I looked down at the floor, thinking there must be a windowless basement in the house.

  “In my bed; no coffin required.” He laughed at his silly joke. “The windows have metal shades that seal. My door is strong and locks automatically so no one can get in. I’m quite secure. The house is fireproof as well. There’s a key to the house in the top drawer of my desk, but you should never leave my property unless you have permission from Rob or me. I should be up around three. I’ll drive you to Maya.” He hugged and kissed me gently and I melted against him.

  “Will Maya be tough on me?”

  He smiled a sly smile. “I can handle Maya.”

  After he’d gone to his room, I undressed and crawled under the covers of my comfy new bed, feeling safe and loved. I sent out a wish into the universe that I might spend every night of my long life with this incredible male —not sleeping separately of course—but curled up together the way mates should. I grinned into my pillow. His cheetah wasn’t going to be able to hold out for long.