Page 46 of Raptor

"Right, brother, I'm goin' to let you go talk to your woman and let her know that Mallory is okay. She's sleepin'. I'll have her call her in the mornin'." I end the call and take a deep breath. Fuck, today has been a fucking day.

I have my woman and my son, and right now that's all I'm focusing on. It's been a long time fucking coming, but tonight, I get to hold my woman in my arms.

Chapter 19

Mallory

Iblink awake as light shines into the room. I bite back the groan of pain as I try to move. My gaze moves to the crib beside me, and I see Shay fast asleep. His little sigh as he breathes is one of the cutest things ever.

I feel a heavy arm around my waist and the heat of Shane's breath on my neck. I had no idea he had climbed into bed beside me during the night. I want to sink back against him, but I don't want to wake him.

I stay stock still and continue to watch Shay sleep. This is something I tend to do a lot when I can't sleep. I love watching him. It's a comfort to me.

"Darlin', you doin' okay?" Shane says, his voice low. "You haven't taken any pain pills. You need any?"

I gingerly turn so that I'm facing him. He looks so handsome, his eyes filled with sleep. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't," he assures me. "You didn't answer. Do you need a pain pill?"

"No," I whisper. "I'm good. I'm still tender, but I'm not as sore as I was yesterday."

He slides his hand into my hair while looking into my eyes. It's intense but I love it. "You're so fucking beautiful," he says thickly.

I laugh softly. "Yeah, with the all the bruising I'm sure I look fabulous."

His hand tightens in my hair and he pulls me closer to him. "You're fucking beautiful," he growls. "You've always been beautiful."

"Shane," I whimper. He's killing me. He's actually killing me.

His gaze softens as he leans in to press a gentle kiss against my lips, the tenderness of the gesture contrasting with the raw desire burning in his eyes. I can feel his heart beating steadily against my chest as he holds me close. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of our little family, I know we can overcome any obstacle together.

Breaking the kiss, Shane murmurs against my lips, "You’re mine, Mallory. Never fuckin’ doubt that."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes at his words. I’m overwhelmed by the depth of emotion in his voice. "I want that," I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.

He brushes away a stray tear from my cheek and pulls me into his embrace, holding me as if he never wants to let go. "You know, I'm not lettin' you go, Mal. Bein' without you for over nine months was the worst nine months of my fuckin' life."

I close my eyes. God, he's the sweetest guy ever. You'd never imagine that with how he looks. He's over six foot, muscular, and has a few tattoos. He's got the death stare down to a T, but never with me. He's never been anything but utterly fucking amazing with me.

"I hated not talking to you," I confess. "Not texting you or calling you was the hardest thing ever, but I knew if I continued, I'd have told you about Shay and I didn't want to ruin your life."

He tilts my chin up gently, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes search mine, as if trying to figure me out. "Mal, baby, there’s no fuckin’ way you could ever ruin my life." His voice is filled with sincerity, his words wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. "I ain't goin' anywhere. You hear me? You and Shay are my fuckin’ life."

I nod, feeling the weight of his promise settle deep within my soul. For so long, I carried the burden of my secret alone, afraid of the consequences it might bring. But I know now that I should have been upfront from the beginning. "Keep going, Shane, and you’ll have me falling in love with you.”

His smile lights up his rugged features. “That’s good, darlin’, ‘cause it’ll mean you’re catchin’ up.”

My breath catches at his words. Holy shit. "Shane honey," I whisper, unable to even think clearly right now. I've always had a connection to Shane. There's always been more than just us hooking up. But I've never been in love. I've never felt that emotion before. But the more I'm with Shane, the more I'm coming to realize just how close to it I am.

His lips press against mine. He's so gentle. I know he's trying not to cause me any pain. Even though it's soft, it's toe-curling. I cling to him, a whimper escaping my lips as I press closer to him.

He pulls back, pressing a small kiss to my lips. "I wish we could explore, baby, but our son's probably going to wake up any moment and he'll be wantin' to be fed."

I smile. He's right, Shay's going to wake up any time now and he'll need his bottle. "I'll go make him one," I say as I go to get up.

"I'll do it. You stay in bed."

I grin. "You can change his nappy while I get his bottle ready, and if you want, you can feed him?" I ask, knowing that doing so is a great way to bond with him. My little boy likes to be cuddled and feeding is one of the best ways to snuggle with him.

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