Page 24 of Beautiful Heart

“I’m fine. I’m just not sure what to do now,” the woman said, her sightless eyes staring over Gerri’s shoulder.

“Who’s this?” Jefferson stepped up beside Livingston.

“This is a Tessa Dubois,” Gerri made quick introductions. “Tessa, this is Jefferson Carstairs. He’s … um—”

“I’m a friend.” Jefferson cut her off. He gently pulled the woman, who had been imitating a stone statue, toward his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “And you’re safe with me, sweetness.”

Gerri watched as Jefferson dropped his head and pulled in a deep breath. In the next moment, fangs poked out between his lips and he looked fierce before his expression changed and he looked enamored.

At the same time, Tessa took a deep breath. She dropped her head to his chest and relaxed deeper into his hold.

“Mate?” Livingston whispered.

Jefferson nodded before looking at Gerri. “Go with your man, Princess. I’ll take care of Miss Tessa. Livingston, we’ll meet at your place in an hour?”

Gerri turned her head just in time to see her man nod before he swept her up into his arms again. He rushed off the stage without another word. The supernatural men who had rescued them quickly stepped out of his way as he carried her through the hangar and outside. Quinlan stood beside the limo, his gaze sweeping the area around the hangar, always on guard.

He opened the door and after Livingston climbed in, still carrying her, he closed it then hurried around to the driver’s seat. Livingston settled on the seat but did not release his mate. The evening’s events made it hard to let her get even an inch away from him.

In just a few moments they had left the hangar and airport far behind.

“What’s going on in an hour?” Gerri lifted her head from his chest.

“We’re finalizing our mating in an hour. Jefferson, Kingsley, and Dickinson will be coming to the penthouse to act as our witnesses.”

If he’d had his way, they would have mated in the car just outside the hangar with the men standing outside, but he had a feeling Gerri would never have agreed to that.

When she didn’t answer right away, Livingston tilted his head to look into her face. She was looking thoughtful, and he knew it was time to open his heart and confess everything he felt for her. “Gerri? I love you and I need to tie you to me in every way possible, which means finalizing the mating ceremony as soon as supernaturally possible. Is that all right with you?”

Chapter Thirteen

Gerri did not have to think a moment before she lifted her head from where it rested on Livingston’s chest. Looking at him, she smiled. “That sounds wonderful to me, but do they have to be in the room with us?”

“Absolutely not. No one sees this beautiful body except me,” Livingston said as he began to run a hand up and down her side. When she flinched as he stroked over her hip, he frowned. “What’s wrong? You are hurt, aren’t you? Do we need to go to the hospital?”

“No. It’s just a tender spot where my hip slammed against the floor of the van,” she said, trying to downplay the pain.

We’ll get you into a hot tub when we get home and I’ll make sure you don’t have any other marks that need a doctor.”

“What will happen to the men who were at the auction?” Gerri asked, though she wasn’t sure she really wanted to know.

She had learned that supernatural law was so much harsher than human, or bland law would ever be. Especially these days where a man might get a slap on the wrist for kidnapping and selling women in her old world.

Livingston didn’t answer right away. Instead, he buried his face in her neck and just breathed in her scent. “You don’t need to worry about them anymore. For tonight, all you have to do is say yes at the appropriate times and remember that you love me.”

Gerri rested her head back against his shoulder. “I can do that. But tomorrow night, I want to see Tessa and make sure she’s all right. She said something about how she got to the warehouse that bothered me and I want to make sure she’s well taken care of.”

“Don’t worry, my sweet, caring mate. Jefferson will take good care of her.”

Livingston lifted a hand to the back of her head and tilted it back. He kissed her and all further discussions were tabled for the rest of the night.

When they arrived back at the car park under their building a few minutes later, Livingston insisted on carrying her from the car to the elevator. Once they were in the lift, he still did not put her down. Instead, he moved close enough to the control panel for her to activate the elevator by placing her thumb on the scanner.

“You do know you’re going to have to put me down sometime,” she said as the elevator quickly moved up to their apartment on the top floor.

“Maybe. Or maybe I’ll just carry you everywhere for the rest of our lives so I won’t ever lose you again.”

Stepping out of the elevator, he carried her through their home to the master bathroom where he finally set her on the counter by the sink. She watched, bemused, as he turned his attention to the bathtub. He turned on the water and made sure the temperature was perfect before adding her favorite bath salts.

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