Page 75 of Tempted By the Alpha Outlaw

His eyes soften, but that flicker of guilt lingers in the bond, faint but undeniable. He nods, his lips brushing mine in a kiss so tender it feels like a promise and an apology all at once.

“Get some rest, angel,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough, as if he’s trying to keep it from breaking. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”

And I want to believe him. I do. But as I close my eyes, wrapped in his warmth, that faint shadow lingers at the edges of my mind—a reminder that, for all the love between us, there are still things unsaid.

Secrets that could shatter everything.

26

COLT

The morning sun crests over the horizon, casting a pale, golden glow across the den. Magnolia’s still tucked against me, her breathing soft and even, her hair a wild halo of curls spread across my chest. I could stay like this forever, soaking in the warmth of her, the scent of her—wildflowers and honey, all mine—but the world doesn’t stop spinning just because I want it to.

Her hand slides up my chest, fingers tracing lazy circles over my skin, and it takes everything in me not to melt under her touch. Her smile grows softer, a little dreamy, and she tilts her face up toward mine. "You didn’t wake me up for something important, did you?”

I chuckle, the sound low and rough from sleep. “Just wanted to look at you.”

Her cheeks flush, and she burrows closer, resting her head against my shoulder. “You’re such a liar,” she teases, her voice light. “You can’t even see me with my face smushed against you like this.”

“I don’t need to see you,” I say, my fingers trailing up and down her back, marveling at the soft warmth of her skin. “I can feel you. I can smell you. I know you’re here.” I pause, brushing another kiss over her hair. “That’s enough.”

She hums contentedly, her body relaxed against mine, and I can feel her smile against my chest. “You’re getting good at this sweet-talking thing, Colt.”

“Only for you,” I murmur, meaning it.

Her hand comes up to rest over my heart, and she tilts her head back to look at me, her expression soft but searching. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“Of course I mean it.” I meet her gaze. “I don’t say things I don’t mean, Magnolia. Not to you.”

Her fingers toy with the mark on my neck, her touch gentle, reverent. “This feels…real,” she whispers. “Like it’s too good to be true. Like it can’t last.”

“It’s real,” I say firmly, cupping her face in my hand so she has to look at me. “And it’s gonna last. You’re mine now, angel. I don’t let go of what’s mine.”

Her lips curve into a small, hesitant smile, and she leans into my touch. “You’re mine, too,” she murmurs. “I don’t want to let you go either.”

“You won’t,” I promise, my voice softening. “I’m not going anywhere, Magnolia. Not now. Not ever.”

She studies me for a moment, her eyes flicking over my face like she’s trying to memorize every detail. Then she sighs, a sound so full of quiet happiness it makes my chest ache. “You’re dangerous, you know that?” she says, her tone teasing but her eyes warm. “You’ve got me completely wrapped around your finger.”

“Good,” I say, pulling her closer until our foreheads touch. “’Cause you’ve had me wrapped around yours since the moment I saw you.”

She lets out a soft laugh, her breath mingling with mine, and her hands slide up to frame my face. “God, you’re really trying to ruin me, aren’t you?”

“Not ruin,” I say, kissing the tip of her nose, then her cheek. “Just make you mine in every way.”

Her laugh fades into a sigh, her eyes drifting closed as I kiss her again, soft and lingering. When I pull back, she’s looking at me like I’ve hung the moon, and for once, I don’t feel like I have to hide how much she means to me.

“I love you,” she whispers, the words a quiet confession that feels like it was always meant to be.

The air leaves my lungs in a rush, and all I can do is pull her close, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that I hope tells her everything I can’t say. When we finally part, I rest my forehead against hers, my voice low and rough.

“I love you too, Magnolia. More than you’ll ever know.”

We stretch the goodbye out as long as we can, kisses traded like secrets, her fingers tracing idle patterns over my skin. When she finally leaves, her scent clinging to my shirt, I feel the absence of her like a missing limb. The bond between us thrums faintly, a comfort and a reminder.

She’s mine now.

I’m hers.

---