Page 82 of Just a Friend for the Lion
Because she is my home.
The metal stairs creak under our steps, her heels clicking softly. My chest tightens with every sound, like each one is hammering home the truth.
This woman is walking into my life, my home, changing everything and making it better.
The loft is exactly what you’d expect from me—steel beams, wood floors, leather furniture.
Expensive, sleek, masculine.
Big open windows, high ceilings, a kitchen I barely use, and a bed that suddenly feels far too small for what I want with her.
And yet—if she wants it gutted, redone, painted pink and covered in glitter, I’ll do it.
I’ll tear the place down to the studs if it means making her happy.
I turn to face her, my throat tight.
“I meant every word, MJ,” I say, voice rough with all the emotions clawing at me.
“I know I was reluctant when I signed up for Date to Mate. I mean, it was more or less on a dare. I just wasn’t expecting you,” I confess.
“You just wanted a friend,” she whispers.
“I thought I did, but now that I met you,I know you are it for me. And I’m sorry it took me so long tocome around to admitting it. But I mean it when I say I love you,” I tell her, willing her to believe.
“You do?”
“I do, Kitten. So fucking much. You’re my mate. My Lion knows it. I know it. And that night, when I bit you, fuck, it wasn’t supposed to be like that. I didn’t mean to just claim you. I wanted toask youfirst.”
I’m tripping over the words, too fast, too desperate.
My palms are sweating.
My chest is tight.
But then—she smiles.
That gorgeous, devastating, life-altering smile.
“I think I understand now, Carter,” she says softly, her eyes shining. “And I love you too. Now show me how much you love me.”
And just like that—everything inside me breaks.
“Thank fuck. I love you so much, Kitten.”
Our lips crash together, a collision course of passion and desperation.
My hands are already everywhere—tangling in her curls, sliding down her back, gripping her ass to haul her tight against me.
Her body presses into mine, soft andperfect, and I’m hardly aware of anything else as I strip us bare in a frenzy of claws and tearing fabric.
All I know is the feel of her warm skin against mine, the way her moan vibrates through my mouth, the way my Lion roars in triumph because she said it—she loves me.
And now, I’m going to show her exactly what that means.
Chapter 29
MJ
