Page 116 of Lamb

“Jealous?” I gasped. “Not likely.”

“Fine,” Lamb sighed, shifting away from me and letting the cold air seep between us. The covers pulled taut as he rolled to the other side of the bed. “Then I will cancel our date tomorrow.”

“What date?” Surprise pushed me up to sit, turning to look over my shoulder at the wide sulking back. “We did not plan a date.”

“It was supposed to be a surprise,” Lamb grumbled. “I was going to show you how I got my road name, but I guess you’re notthatcurious.”

“Are you”—I could not believe my eyes—“sulking?”

The robot was malfunctioning.

“No,” Lamb scoffed. “I’m sulking as much as you are jealous.”

“Then I guess you are not sulking,” I huffed, dropping back onto the bed to mirror his position.

We both lay there for a long, pregnant moment, our petulant words dancing on the dust in the air.

“This is childish,” I huffed, my patience already non-existent.

Two brown eyes stared back into mine. I had not heard him, but the ninja had long since turned to face me. There was no upset in his eyes, but rather a bemused twinkle.

“Date. Tomorrow.” Lamb smiled, reaching a hand over to my hips, fingers warm over my skin, tugging me gently back into the curve of his body.

I paused, my pathetic irritation melting in the warmth of his gaze. “Fine,” I sighed. “I guess I can squeeze you in.”

“Squeeze me in?” Lamb chuckled. “I didn’t realise you’re so busy.”

“I am. Very much so,” I said. “I am very popular; I will have you know.”

Lamb did not respond to that. Instead, he just gazed at me. I wondered if he would call me out on my blatant lie, but he did not.

“Just to let you know”—Lamb smiled—“it’s not because I’m a ‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’.”

It took a second to click, but when it did, my gaze narrowed on his smug, handsome face, my irritation rekindling.

“You have been spying on me?”

“So what if I have?” Lamb shamelessly shrugged, unabashed by my tone.

My fist tightened in the pillow, and I wondered how swiftly I could pull it from underneath my head and smack it around his.

“You could at least pretend to feel guilty,” I grumbled, the fight swallowed back down my throat as my brain barged in.

The fact he had been spying on me was unsurprising. As far as I was concerned, this was as much enemy territory as it was outside. Their goodwill only extended from their respect for Lamb, nothing more and nothing less. Lamb watching over me felt nice, curbing the weak and bitter emotions seeping underneath. I was weak and powerless without him.

I rolled away from him, my inferior feelings trampling on the soft moment.

Lamb’s body followed, his hips finding purchase against mine, one arm sliding under the pillow, the other draped over my waist. He nuzzled in against my neck, his new favourite place, and took a long, deep breath, his weight settling against me, comfortable and secure.

I turned back into him, wrapping my arms around his neck and sliding my fingers through his soft blond hair as I pulled myself tighter against him.

“I told you.” Lamb rubbed his cheek against mine, his lips brushing my ear. “You’ll never be able to hide from me. I’ll know where you are at every moment. No matter what you do, or think, or want, you’ll be right by my side.” His knee slid between mine, stopping an inch from touching my core and pinning me against the bed. “As practically as that can be arranged.”

I was aware of Lamb’s possessive side. I would be a blind fool to not see it at this point. That slightly warped, twisted obsession that had been brewing for me. The nature that allowed little leniency with the things that belonged to him. The darkness that took over the moment he had me in his grasp …

It did not surprise me anymore.

What did surprise me, however, was the knot that loosened in my chest. It was like taking a deep breath for the first time in years. That, for once, my lungs were filled, and oxygen flooded my starved veins. My heart pounded with a strength and a freedom it had never had before.

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