Page 201 of Quinlan

She’s being gentle as she curls her fingers around Damien’s wrist and brings his hand toward her.

Damien rubs his free hand over her naked thigh, down her knee. He lets her know it’s okay. That he’s not triggered by the knife she puts to his skin. She leans in to his lips for a kiss, then goes on to cut the shape of a half wedding band on the base of his finger.

His blood trickles onto her thigh, but he’s relaxed. I can swear it’s the most relaxed I’ve seen him in years.

“Thank you.” His hands cover her cheek after she puts the knife aside. He kisses her forehead, sucking a breath, inhaling her. “Thank you.”

He starts moving out of the way. She catches him, wrapping her lips around his finger. The three of us don’t breathe, captivated by how she’s taking him in, sucking on his blood.

“Always here.” She flattens her palm on her heart. Damien covers hers, nods once and walks off to the first aid kit we have in one of the cupboards. It’s not urgent. But it’s a lot for him to be here with his feelings.

And it’s okay. We don’t call him out on it. We wait for him, the three of us.

“Come here, Liam.” Her lips are full and soft, and her smile is the bright light at the end of the tunnel I never thought I’d get to see.

He goes over there, never hesitating when he offers her his hand. Her warmth, attention and use of the knife bring my friend so much happiness and he can’t hide it. He smiles wide.

“Beautiful.” She kisses the bloodied band, swiping her tongue on him.

For a second, he groans, pushing her head down on him. Then he lets out a harsh breath, taking a step back.

“You’re beautiful.” The kiss to her forehead is the last one before he moves out of the way.

“Rome.” Tears line her eyes, her voice breaking near the end. “Would you like to—”

“Sweetheart.” I’m right there, in front of her, shoving my right hand between us. My left hand goes around her wrist, pinning the blade to my finger. “You’re asking all of a sudden?”

She gazes at me, her eyes like the sky after the storm. “I thought about it. Maybe you don’t want to do this today. It’s okay.”

“I do. I’m okay. Everything’s better with you here.” My lips press together, my heart hammering. “Everything. Including today.”

“But—”

“I’ll be very fucking offended if you don’t cut me. Right the fuck now.” I press the knife harder into my skin. “Is that what you’re doing here? Trying to hurt my feelings?”

“No.” Quinlan shakes her head, the slightest movement releasing one tear drop. It rolls down her cheek. “You’re so strong. You’re going to be amazing today. It’ll be okay.”

“It already is.” My teeth graze her plump bottom lip, tug and release. “Do it.”

The knife breaks my skin, and this pain is unlike any other I’ve ever felt. This pain reaches into my soul, and it doesn’t take off the edge. It carries me home. Once she starts, she doesn’t stop until she’s done.

Clink. The cut is complete. I’m aware my friends are here, and I don’t—can’t—care. I shove my finger into her mouth.

“So good, sucking my blood.” Damien and Liam stand next to us, and I keep praising her. “You’re so good, sweetheart. So perfect. That’s it.”

We take her upstairs after that, run a bath. Clean her.

Love her.

We’re hers and she’s ours.

Always.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Rome

Ten minutes after wewere done bathing Quinlan and dressing her in a black shirt and a black pair of jeans, my phone lit up with a message from Anne.

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