Page 87 of Waiting Game

I was in a mix of emotions.

Scared, for my life and over everything that had happened.

Sad, about leaving my life in Perth behind.

Happy, about being back with my family and the man that I loved.

Brave, for admitting to myself that I loved that man.

Nervous, for the future, and what it meant to be a part of The Family - my family.

Excited, for the adventure that Ren and I would take.

The reasoning behind the trip was a grim one, but it was hard to be mad at the fact that I had to run away with Ren. It was what I had always wanted. And now it would be a reality.

It was ten years too late, but that didn’t matter anymore. Finally, we were going to run away together.

Antoni and Rome left, leaving us alone in the tiny house.

Ren locked the door behind them, and then paced around the house, checking the rest of the doors and windows. I watched him, with a small smile on my face as he busied himself.

“What?” he chuckled, feeling my eyes on him.

“Nothing,” I shrugged.

He sighed and returned to my side, plopping down on the armchair next to me.

“Are you sure about all this, Val?”

I nodded, without hesitation.

“I would understand completely if you wanted to leave again.”

I shook my head, “no, Ren.”

He leaned in close, pressing his lips to mine softly.

“You realise,” he said against my lips, “that I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again?”

“Good,” I smiled, kissing him again in agreement.

“I mean it, Val. From this moment until the day I die, you are mine. Anyone who lays a hand on you from now on will suffer, any person to harm you will sign their own death warrant. I know this isn’t how you pictured your life, but I hope you know that I will protect you with everything that I have.”

“I trust you, Ren. I don’t care about what IthoughtI wanted, because I know what Idowant. And you know that it’s you. It’s always been you.”

He let out a shaky breath against my cheek, and took my face in his hands. His eyes searched mine for a moment before his lips were on mine again. It was urgent now, both his kiss and his wandering hands.

Ten years.

Ten years of not feeling his touch, his body, his kiss.

What a waste it had all been.

None of it mattered with his lips on mine, I reached up and tangled my hands in his hair, pulling him closer. He drew me onto his lap so I was straddling his legs, and his fingertips wandered up my thighs, my back, my hips. Fingernails scratching their way inside my shirt, into my bare skin.

“Where are we going to go?” I asked, still distracted by the unanswered questions about our future. He chuckled, deep and husky against my skin.

“Baby girl, I can only think of one place I want to be right now. And that’s inside of you.”

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