Page 20 of Austin's Answer
“He shouldn’t. Like you keep telling me, Vince’s actions are his own.” She squeezed my hand. “Mason will talk to everyone in his own time.”
“Maybe.” We got on the elevator, and as the doors slid closed, I pulled her into my arms. “I don’t want to talk about that anymore. I want to enjoy finally being able to hold my mate.”
She hummed, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head against my chest. “I approve.”
We stood in an embrace until the ding of the doors opening forced us apart. I reluctantly let her go and led her down the hall to her dad’s room. I knocked on the open door. “We’re here.”
Emily rushed to her dad’s bedside and hugged him. His arms came up slowly, patting her back. “Dad. You’re looking so much better.”
I came and stood behind Emily, resting my hand on her shoulder as she sat in the chair next to the bed. She reached up, laying her palm on the back of my hand, and smiled at me. I caught her dad watching us, his eyes considering. He spoke, his speech halting. “You… and… Austin?”
She nodded. “Me and Austin. We worked things out.”
“I promise to take care of her, sir. Not that she needs it. She’s definitely capable on her own. But I’ll always be there, by her side.” I met her dad’s gaze and held it, trying to convey my sincerity.
“Good. Always… knew… you two.”
Emily laughed. “Well, then you knew more than we did.” She switched subjects. “The doctor said he expects you to make a full recovery in time. For now, Austin and I will stay at our ranch. We’ll handle the running of it until we can train a new manager, and you can supervise.”
He nodded. “Thank… you.”
We stayed a little longer until it became obvious he was fighting sleep. The drive to her family’s ranch was quiet. Then, about halfway there, she asked, “Were you ever planning to tell me about marking?”
I swerved, swearing as I righted the truck. I shot a glance over at her. “Where did you hear about that?”
“Sierra. She visited me the other day and filled me in on a lot about shifters that I didn’t know.” She bit her lip, pausing before continuing, “Do you not want to do it?”
I hit the brakes, wrenching the wheel and pulling over onto the shoulder of the highway. “Why would you think that?”
“Well, you haven’t said anything.”
“You’ve been in the hospital.”
“You could have told me about it.” She twisted in her seat to face me. “At least Sierra warned me you would probably want to bite me.”
I cursed under my breath. “I didn’t want to put too much on you too soon. I absolutely want to mark you. My tiger’s been going crazy every day that I haven’t.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I cupped her face with my palm. “Emily, you’re my everything. The answer to what I’ve been searching for the last eight years. I’d mark you right now if you let me.”
She studied me, searching my face for the answer to her own question. She gave a slow nod. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Wait. You mean now?” My tiger leaped inside me, growling and clawing at me to do it.
“Why not?” She gave me a slow smile. “I don’t want to waste any more time. I want to be yours. Officially.”
I leaned down and kissed her, fighting, and failing, to keep it brief. My fingers dove into her hair, holding her close and allowing me to plunder her mouth. Her hands slid over my chest, skimming down to slide beneath my shirt, and her fingers danced across my bare skin. I growled against her mouth, deepening the kiss even more, and reached out to pull her onto my lap. The resistance of the seat belt cut through the drive to claim her. I shook my head. “Nope. I’m not marking you in atruck on the side of the highway where anyone could drive by. We’re doing this properly. Now, hold on.”
I put the truck in gear and pushed the gas pedal to the floor. Tires squealed as I tore down the highway toward the ranch. Emily’s breathless laughter filled the truck, and I gave her a grin and a wink.
Emily
Austin braked at the last minute, getting us as close to the house as possible. We scrambled to undo our seatbelts, but mine was stuck. He ran around the truck and opened my door, reaching in to remove the belt, cursing when it still wouldn’t come undone.
“Screw it.” He tore the seat belt out, showing off his shifter strength. His hands circled my waist, and I expected him to lower me to the ground. Instead, he tossed me over his shoulder and slammed the truck door before his long strides ate up the distance to the house. He opened the door and stepped through. “Which way is your room?”
“Upstairs and to the left. First door on the right.” I thought about objecting to being carried this way, but it gave me a magnificent view of his backside, which fit perfectly in his worn jeans.
