Page 78 of Finding Her Panthers

“Yes. Now come here.”

I don’t know whether to slap him or just do as he says. “I think you need to tell me what was bothering you. Did you have doubts about me?”

“No. Not about you.”

“But you had doubts?” I say, concerned.

“I didn’t have any with you. I just had to work some things out. I had to work with the guys, go over new security protocols.”

“So you're fine now?” I push.

“Yes. Are you going to come here or not?” He acts exasperated with me.

“No. Not yet. Just tell me. Do you want to be my mate?”

“Yes.”

“That’s it? Blue, please tell me what kept you away.”

His hands clench, and he looks away from me. “You must be taking lessons from Jax,” he mutters. “I had doubts that I was good enough for you. I didn’t protect you when you needed it the most. I let Penny get taken. Tylor. I needed to protect your family and mine, and I let you all down. That’s my job. To make sure this place and the people in it are secure, I failed. I failed you, my mate, the most important person in my life. None of it should have happened,” he says passionately, his fists banging on the wood. “How can I be your mate, worthy of you, if I can’t keep you safe?” he finishes miserably.

“You didn’t let anything happen. You did what you could, what we all could have done. Is it my fault that Cindy found me and crafted this elaborate plot to kidnap me?”

“No. She was nuts.”

“So why would it be your fault? You couldn’t control the bitch any more than I could. And remember, I was the one that walked into the trap voluntarily,” I point out.

He glares at me. “How could I forget that?”

“If it wouldn’t have happened the way it did, they would have found another way. Sometimes shit just happens. It wasn’t fun, but it’s over now. They are gone and won’t be coming back. We have to move on. I have every faith you will do everything you can to protect me.”

“You trust me?” he asks, fearful of my answer.

“I have always trusted you. From the very beginning, I knew you would do anything for those that you love.”

“Love?”

“Well, yeah, you love me. Just like I love you.” I speak without thinking, just trying to reassure him.

“You love me?” He stands up abruptly.

“Blue, of course, I love you,” I say softly.

He studies me, looking for any sign of a lie. When he’s satisfied with the answer, he finds he says again, “Come here.”

Instead of complying right away, I reach behind me and pull my zipper down. When the front of my dress gapes, I pull it slowly down my body to land at my feet. “I had a plan. I was going to seduce you. Make you mate with me, bite me, and bring you home, where you belong.” I brush the sides of my outfit.

This is the first time I’m wearing it. It sat in the back of a drawer for over a year. I dreamed of a perfect world, secretly, of course, that I would find my mate and dress in it for him. Knock him over with how sexy it was. The black corset has a sweetheart neckline, the clasps running down the front for easy access. A black garter belt holds up the thigh-high sheer stockings, barely hiding the black lace panties. I was not a thong kind of girl. Sorry, I don’t think a string up my ass being pulled out forty times a day is comfortable or sexy.

I wait for Blue’s reaction.

Then I wait some more.

Come on, really!

I was not expecting him to take his phone out of his pocket, take a couple of pictures and start typing.

“Blue!” I fist my hands on my hips.

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