Page 77 of Her Forbidden Shifters
Holding her was the most amazing feeling. Better than words could describe. I was safe and whole standing there with her. I didn’t even care if someone walked out on us. It didn’t matter to me. None of it did. She was the only thing keeping me rooted on this earth.
I knew that more than anything. It rang true with every fiber of my being. And I didn’t know what I would do with myself if she turned me away.
When she pulled away, I reluctantly let her go. She smiled again and lifted up onto her toes, placing a kiss on my cheek before taking a step back.
“What was that for?” I asked.
She shrugged. “You being you.”
“I don’t understand,” I said as a pinch entered my forehead.
“I have a lot to think about,” she said. “A lot to make up for too, if I’m being honest with myself. And everything that has happened in the past few weeks has shown me exactly how much I need to make up for. But I still have some stuff I need to figure out before I can even think about a relationship.”
I nodded as my heart sank. “I understand.”
She placed her hand on mine, pulling my attention back to her beautiful woodsy gaze. “This isn’t a rejection, Liam. It’s far from it. But would you mind giving me a little more time? I promise I will have an answer for you soon.”
I nodded, searching her eyes for a deeper explanation without finding any. So, I took her at her word, nodded, and said, “I would do anything for you, Savannah. And only you.”
“Anything?” she asked, smile growing wider.
“Name your price,” I said, smiling back and brushing her hair from her shoulder.
“Oh, well…” She tapped her chin with her finger. Seconds later she stopped and shifted her gaze to me with her heart-stopping smile.
We shared a laugh.
I wrapped my arms around her once more and we stood overlooking the balcony at the city below us for a little while longer before I was pulled inside.
Being with her was the freest I had ever felt in my life. I had to trust she had her reasons for not talking with me about our relationship or giving me an answer. I had to put trust in her. Show her I could be patient.
In time, I believed she would be in my arms. No matter what.
31
SAVANNAH
The following week was a long and hard one. Between hospital visits, dodging the men for an answer, and trying to make sense of everything that had happened, I was exhausted. And I still had things left to do.
Starting with Avery.
She was finally ready to go home from the hospital. Since she was no longer a shifter, the human medicines were able to help her. The baby also checked out fine and was allowed to stay with her. She was looking forward to following through on the promise she had made to the baby’s mother. But she also assured me she would wait for me.
I was a bit overprotective over her since everything that had happened, and I think she was happy to have a little more time with me. I also wanted to make sure the dad checked out. I didn’t want to send her into the mouth of a lion without first making sure he wouldn’t tear her apart. Part of me wondered if she wasn’t ready to give up the baby yet. I couldn’t blame her. The little doll was as cute as a button.
Before she was released, I had already gone through and placed wards and protections on her apartment to make sure she and the baby would remain safe. And once she was settled, I had texted each of the men to join me at my place. I told them I needed to talk to them about something and celebrate a successful case.
The moment was going to be bittersweet because I needed to tell the men my decision. I didn’t want to see any of them go. But I couldn’t help feeling a little worried about how they were going to take what I needed to say.
After getting home, showering up, and dressing, the men showed up. One by one. First was Noah. He kissed me hello and then took a seat in the chair he had claimed.
“I take it we are expecting more company?” he asked, gesturing to the coffee table with four wine glasses sitting on top of it.
I nodded. “A few more.”
“Let me guess,” he said, setting his emerald gaze on me. “Liam and Jacob.”
“Maybe,” I said and took a seat on the couch.
