Page 168 of Heart of Frost and Scars

“Then he shouldn’t fucking watch,” I say, pointing out the obvious.

“Leo.”

“Frankie.”

“I told him we’re not going to do that to him again.”

A growl hangs in my throat.

“He’s not the bad guy,” she says. “He loves us and—”

“Do you love him?”

“I did. I loved the man I married. But he’s not that man anymore. He’s…”

“He’s what?”

“Better.”

“Do you love him?” I ask again.

She releases a trembling breath. “I love him the way I loved Wolf. But that’s not exactly right. We…”

“You have history,” Kody says. “Romantic history, sexual history, complicated history.”

“Yes. All that and more. But I need you to listen. Are you listening?”

We both nod.

“I will never choose him over you. I love you. Not because you’re gorgeous and built and sexy as fuck. I mean, you’re all those things, but the real reason is because of the kind of men you are. Caring. Protective. Reliable. You don’t seek power by trying to control me but by supporting and uplifting me. Before I met you, I didn’t believe in soul mates. But I always hoped that if they were real, mine would be someone like you. Your imperfect love fits perfectly with mine, and now that we’re no longer trapped in hell and free to pursue wistful things like love, you’re the ones for me. So as much as I loved watching you pump iron with your shirts off, you don’t ever need to prove your worth to me. You survived Hoss. That makes you more worthy than any man alive. You’re mine.”

Every word hits my veins like warm honey. “And Monty? Where does he fit in?”

“I don’t know.” She sighs. “What I do know is that it’s not fair to him if we continue having sex under his roof.”

“Did he put you up to this?” Anger flares inside me.

“No. This is my decision. I want to move past all this fear and pain. I want to return to work, stop being dependent on him, and begin my life with you and Kody. Until then, we’re going to be respectful.”

Her resolution cuts deep, but I know she’s right.

He’s been supportive and kind to us despite his obsessive love for her. He’ll never stop pursuing her, and if he knows we’re not fucking her, he’ll use that opportunity to wriggle his way back in.

“I’d rather die first.” Lips curling back in a snarl, I bare my teeth.

“What are you going to do? Force me?”

“I don’t have to force you, love. I only need to touch you, and wetness seeps from your body and down your legs, covering both of us with your scent.” I advance on her. “Shall I demonstrate?”

“No.” She retreats, her pupils dilating as she drinks in my shirtless torso. “Please, don’t.”

“All right.” I plant my feet. “Go ahead. Draw a line between us.” Lowering my chin, I glare at her through my lashes. “It’ll be fun watching you cross it.”

“You won’t even be here. You’re going out of town for God knows how long.”

She’s right. Fuck.

Arching a brow, she looks at Kody.

---