Page 163 of Blood & Betrayals

I laugh, kissing him again. “My, my, what kind of movies do you watch?”

Connor chuckles, gliding his hand down my back. “It happened in that show Alice likes last week.”

“I brought breakfast.”

“You did?” Connor frowns, glancing at my outfit. “You worked out already?”

I nod and reach for the note I left for him.

“My girl is such an early riser.”

I roll off him. “I’m going to shower before we eat. I’m all gross from the gym.”

Connor follows and steps into the shower with me. His presence in the shower lengthens the process. We barely make it five minutes before I’m hoisted against the wall, and he’s fucking me against the tile.

When we finally emerge, I wrap a towel around my body. I can feel eyes on me, but this is the gaze of someone who loves me, a feeling I’m still unused to. I glance over my shoulder and see Connor watching me, a bubblegum-colored towel slung low around his hips.

“You’re pretty.” He smiles, leaning against the shower door. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” The words come so easily. They slip out on a breath of truth, filling the air with such sincerity. Connor stands up straighter. His smile slowly melts away, but his skin glows faintly.

I expect to feel dread, regret, and panic, but all I feel is the lightness of my candor. Connor just gapes at me, and I grin at him before going back into my room to change and rebandage my thigh. After a long moment, he follows and steps in front of me, his large hand cupping my cheek. He tilts my head up until I meet his gaze.

“I didn’t think…” He pauses for a moment, just looking at me. “I didn’t think you’d ever say it.”

“I’m full of surprises.” I lift my chin, giving him a soft smile. Connor leans down, brushing his lips over mine.

“I will protect your heart, Summer Tuatha De Daanan.”

I nod. “I know.”

Connor smiles, pressing his forehead to mine, and I smile up at him.

“Hurry up!” Alice growls through the door.

My lips curve in a grin at the interruption. Connor laughs and pulls back to get dressed for the day. I walk to my closet, looking for my blush pink cardigan to wear over my shirt. I leaf through my clothes and frown when I notice that one of my dresses is missing, too. Maybe Alice borrowed them, though I seriously doubt Alice would be caught dead in a cashmere pink cardigan. Or a pastel green sundress, for that matter.

I grab one of the sweaters I procured from Connor instead and pull it on over my uniform. I love the way it fits. It feels like one of his hugs. His scent clings to it, giving the illusion of being surrounded by him and his warmth.

When we leave my bedroom, holding hands like some gross sappy couple, Alice is waiting by the door. She is loudly slurping the blood smoothie I brought home for her this morning.

“About time.”

I flip her off and reach into the bag, grabbing the two breakfast burritos. Handing one to Connor, I open mine as we leave the house. Connor squeezes my hand a little tighter and leans down for a bite of my burrito. I bring it to his lips, and he takes a happy bite.

“You have your own burrito, you know?”

“I know, but everything tastes so much better after you’ve taken a bite.”

I roll my eyes, but I grin.

“You guys are so gross,” Alice groans.

“I know.”

“We are not gross,” Connor protests at the same time as I concede.

“We’re pretty gross, big guy.” I take his burrito from him and take a bite before handing it back to him. He smiles like an idiot, but a slight tension buzzes around him.

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