Page 79 of Shelter (The Wanderers 4)

CHAPTER25

Haley was too stunned for words. She wrapped her arms around Rush and held him tight. “Thank you. There’s no way we’ll ever be able to repay you.”

Rush smoothed his hands up her back. “No repayment needed, love. You helped me escape. I’m indebted to you.” He took a step back, releasing her. “I’ll let you all get settled in.” He pointed toward the bathroom. “You can shower. I’m sure someone left clothes in the bedrooms. There are only three, but I bet you can figure out something that works for you. Eat, shower, sleep. I’ll come check on you later.”

Haley’s eyes widened and she reached out for Rush as he set his hand on the doorknob. “Where are you going?”

“To the apartment I’ve been staying in to shower, eat, and sleep, same as you.”

She couldn’t believe him and she wasn’t having it. She slid behind him, stepping in front of the door. “You’re not seriously leaving us?”

He reached out and cupped her face. “Just for a while, love.”

She shook her head. “No. Not for a while. Why would you do that?”

“Because you need your space and some time to be with your family and figure out what you want your lives to look like.”

She shook her head again. “You’re a member of my family too, Rush. With equal representation. Don’t you dare walk out this door like you don’t belong with us.”

He sighed. “You’re exhausted and you haven’t known me long. You can’t possibly be sure you want me permanently in your lives.”

She planted her hands on her hips and stared him down. “Look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t feel connected to us. Tell me you have another family in this compound and you’d rather be with them. Look at me and tell me you don’t feel the love I feel for you.”

“Hales…”

Her chest tightened when he used that nickname for her. Almost as tight as she felt when he called her love.

“Don’t act like I don’t know my mind. I may have lived a very strange, sheltered life, but I know how I feel. I love you. All of you. Equally. And I know you feel the same way about me. Don’t lie to me and walk out this door, martyring yourself as if you don’t belong. You’ll hurt my feelings.”

“She’s right,” Braylon said behind her.

“She is,” Riggs added.

Storm stepped up and set a hand on Rush’s shoulder. “Don’t go. Don’t ever go.”

Rush stared at each of them, one at a time, before returning his gaze to Haley. “You are the first people I’ve ever felt this connected with, and you are the first woman I have ever loved. My heart hasn’t stopped beating out of my chest since I met you.”

She stepped closer and set her palms on his chest, rising onto her tiptoes to kiss him. “Stay.”

He slid his arms around her and up into her hair. “Okay.”

* * *

The next hour was filled with showers and food and clean clothes. No matter how tired they were, those things were high on the list of importance. Finally, they glanced at each other from around the living space and admitted defeat.

Haley yawned. “We need sleep, and then we need to talk.”

Storm chuckled.

“What’s funny?” Haley said as she stood, shooting him a glare she knew he wouldn’t take seriously.

Storm stood too, still grinning. “We do need sleep, princess, but it won’t be followed by talking. It will be followed up with nudity and a lot of sex. After that, if you can still think straight, we can talk.”

She felt heat rise on her cheeks.

Braylon stood too and kissed her. “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.”

Riggs stepped toward the three rooms and glanced into them. “Three beds. One is a king. We can figure out sleeping arrangements better later. For now, I suggest Bray takes one, I take one, and Storm and Rush flank Haley in the room with the biggest bed.”

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