Page 160 of Fight or Flight
“Yup. Well, I told her about a guy, and she figured out it was you because moms are annoyingly intuitive that way.”
I laugh. “They are. I swear my mom is clairvoyant half the time when she puts things together and figures shit out about me.”
“It’s annoying, but what can you do?”
“What about the other thing you said? About how you really feel about me?”
He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his throat works. “That I might love you?”
I nod.
“I think I do.” He pulls in a deep breath. “I think I’ve always known deep down that there’s something real between us, but you were right when you said I didn’t understand what it was, and it confused the fuck out of me. So I lashed out at you because it was easier than acknowledging the truth.”
“Something happened when we were on the mission,” I confess. “When I was checking in on you through the cams while Jax was getting the drive.”
“What?” he asks tentatively.
“I think I was jealous. I saw you dancing with those girls, and I got jealous. The same when you texted me at The Crypt and mentioned all the hot girls.”
“You were jealous?” he asks, almost hopefully.
I nod. “I’ve never been jealous of anything or anyone. Not once in my entire life. I didn’t even think it was possible, but I was. And that night when I brought you home, you asked me to get into bed with you.”
“I did?” His eyes widen with surprise.
“You woke up from a nightmare and grabbed my arm when I went to check on you. You wouldn’t let go until I promised to get into bed with you, so I did.”
I can practically see him holding his breath as he waits for me to continue.
“It was the first time I’ve ever been comfortable having someone in my space.” I lean back in my chair. “Not just the first time I’ve slept with someone, but the first time I’ve slept in the same room as someone who isn’t family. And it was one of the best nights’ sleep I’ve ever had.” I study him again. “I don’t know what that means, but it means something. And I decided that night that you’re mine,” I tell him.
“You did?” he squeaks.
“I did. And I still think that.”
“You do?”
I nod. “I think I love you too. And I honestly think that’s the only reason I didn’t kill you when I realized you stole my card, and why I let you look through my stuff instead of ending you the second you walked through that door. And it’s definitely the only reason I hesitated. A part of me was still here, and that part of me didn’t want to let you go even though I thought you’d betrayed me.”
“So what does this mean?” he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
“It means you’re mine, Shane.” I lean forward and grip his chin in my hand to hold him in place. “Do you have an issue with that?”
“No,” he says quickly. “So are we together, or…?”
“We’re together,” I tell him. “And I will obliterate anyone who touches you, do you understand that? No one gets to share any piece of you from this moment onward. You’re mine, and I don’t share.”
He smiles, and the usual spark is back in his eyes. “Good, because I don’t share either. And you’re not the only one who’ll destroy anyone who dares to touchyou.”
I grin and let go of his chin. “I like you all jealous.”
“Well, get used to it, because I’m a jealous asshole when it comes to you.”
“And only me?”
“Only you,” he confirms.
Slowly, I lean in, and Shane freezes as I gently press my lips to his in a soft kiss.
