Page 29 of Understanding Fate

“I thought I wasn’t sweet enough for that nickname,” he says, a sly smile forming on his face as he steps into me, hishands landing on my hips. His closeness forces me to tilt my head back, and I realize exactly how close his lips are to mine.

I lick my bottom lip in anticipation and lock eyes with him.

“I’d say saving me from a psycho with a knife would qualify as sweet,” I reply, the words coming out breathy.

The door to the bar opens, and a man walks out, breaking the moment's tension and pulling Cain’s attention. He drops a key fob into Cain’s hand before heading back inside.

“I will always save you, Firefly. Always,” he says, sincerity in his tone.

Every fiber of my being pulls me to him, and I stop fighting it. Lifting up onto my toes, I place my lips on his. The kiss is slow, sweet, and timid at first. My arms loop his neck, and he pulls my body flush to his. His tongue teases, and my lips part, allowing him entry.

His kiss is an apology, a promise, a vow, and I’m transported back to the day at the packhouse in the garden—all of the emotions rising within me.

His hand slides up, cupping my cheek and tipping my chin to give him more access. The sound of my moan is lost as he breaks from my lips and begins trailing kisses down my neck and then up my jaw and onto my cheeks.

It’s only then I realize I’m crying. Emotions spilling out of me that I’ve held in for too many weeks.

He pulls back, holding my face in his hands with nothing but understanding in his eyes.

“Let’s get you out of this cold,” he says before placing one more kiss on the tip of my nose and turning me down the sidewalk toward the car.

I don’t know if I’m ready to make all these life-changing decisions tonight, but I know how I feel, and whether I want to or not, I love Cain.

Chapter 12

Cain

My heart’s racing, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have left to stop kissing her. My thumbs wipe away the streams of tears from her cheeks as her eyes, lit with their orange flames, stare at me with a million questions behind them. I wish I could answer every one of them. The uncertainty she feels is only slightly covered by the trust I see hiding within them.

I won’t hurt you, Firefly. Never again.

The words don’t come, and I hope she can read my mind; see the peace holding her brings me. My wolf hasn’t been this calm since the last time I was inside her, and I plan to remind her of that very moment just as soon as we get out of this weather. Her nose is pink, and her breath comes out in small puffs.

“Let’s get you out of this cold,” I say as I kiss the top of her freckled nose, causing her to scrunch it in the most adorable way.

Her hand laces with mine as we find our way to the rental. Neither of us speaks as we fall into a comfortable stroll. It’s as if any words spoken would pop the bubble this moment sits in. The idea that she wants to hold onto this feeling as much as I do brings a smile to my face.

I pull open her door and help her inside before walking around to the driver's side. Once the engine is on, I crank the heat to its maximum setting in an attempt to get her warmed up. As we drive back to my hotel, her eyes scan the city with a hint of awe that puts the slightest doubt in my stomach.

She loves it here.

Instead of focusing on it, I stuff the feeling deep down into the worry about it later category and pull into a parking spot.

“Wait here for just a second. I want to make sure we weren’t followed,” I say as she grabs her door handle.

“Oh, yeah. Okay,” she responds, her jaw clenching as I see her remember the predicament she’s in.

“Firefly,” I say, placing my hand on her thigh and pulling her eyes to mine. “You're safe with me. Always,” I finish, squeezing my hold before jumping out of the car.

Once outside, I lean into my wolf senses: listening, scenting the air, even scanning the lot for anything out of place.Once it’s clear, I circle to Bri’s side, pulling my phone out to text Carter.

Back at the hotel, no sign of trouble. The car’s on the east side lot.

Got it. We will be back within the hour.

Then I text Jess.

Report.

---