Page 91 of Stealthy as a Wolf

When she didn’t kick me in the balls or take off running, some of the chaos that had taken over my mind settled. I leaned over and rested my cheek against the top of her head. For the first time in what felt like ages, I was able to take a deep breath. I slumped against her, tightening my hold, though I knew that I was being too rough, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.

I’d come too close to losing her.

A quick glance around the room showed Boone leaning against the wall, arms crossed, patiently watching us. Cocky fucker. But I was grateful for his reassuring presence. As much as I adored the woman in my arms, I had no clue what to do with her or how to keep her happy.

Boone would keep me in check and make sure that I didn’t go too far.

Now I had a plan, the tightness in my chest since Maggie disappeared slowly dissipated, and I was able to take my first full breath. It took me a second longer to be able to release her, but I couldn’t make myself take a step away. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

All my good intentions vanished when Maggie nodded and headed toward the shower, peeling off her clothes as she went. I could do nothing but pant after her like some mangy stray when she stepped under the spray totally naked.

I trailed blindly in her wake, realizing that I was completely, madly in love with her, and I would follow her anywhere if it meant I could spend just one more second with her.

And if I had to claim her as my mate just to have the right to take care of her, then I would claim her in a way that made it clear to her, and everyone else, that she belonged to me.

Chapter Twenty-five

MAGGIE

Not sure how to deal with having the twins stare at me so intently, I scrambled for the shower, needing a reprieve before I did something stupid.

Like demand that they strip so I could inspect every inch of them, and not just to make sure they were okay.

I turned on the water, then ducked my head under the rainfall, the droplets feeling like heaven against my skin. I pressed my hands against the wall, unable to hold back a groan as the water cascaded across my abused flesh.

I probably should’ve been turned off by the sight of blood swirling down the drain, but I only felt satisfaction for finally having dealt with my past.

I was finally free.

A deep, masculine chuff of appreciation came from across the room, and I stiffened, having completely forgotten that I wasn’t alone. I slowly straightened and turned toward the sound.

And found the twins standing side by side, doing nothing else but staring at me with such hungry expressions that my nipples tightened painfully, begging for their attention. My plan to forget about the twins backfired fantastically, because now all I could think about was stripping them naked and asking them to join me.

I didn’t realize that I’d spoken my invitation out loud until both twins gave a husky growl and immediately began tearing off their clothes.

That Burke didn’t even bother folding anything made my stomach flutter wildly.

The twins prowled toward me with such intent looks that I stepped back—only to slam against the shower wall. I’d fucking trapped myself in a tiny three-by-three stall with two hungry tigers intent on eating me alive.

My whole body tingled at the thought of their touches. Instead of fear, I felt almost giddy, and I licked my lips when their last stitch of clothing hit the bathroom floor. I took a step closer, pressing my hand against the glass, hating the distance that separated us.

When they were just a foot away, a stitch of panic tightened my chest, and I hastily backed up a step, holding up my hands to fend them off. “Wait!”

They both obeyed, stopping just outside the glass doors. It was like looking at them through a store window, both so incredibly perfect that my throat ached.

“Be sure this is what you want,” I warned them, curling my shaky hands into fists to keep from beckoning them closer. “If you touch me, I don’t think I will ever be able to let you go.”

The men didn’t move for a full minute, their expressions so grave that I felt like my heart was shattering. When Burke grabbed the door to the shower, his knuckles turned white, and he gazed at me with a look so feral that my breath caught.

“Say it.” Burke’s voice was nothing more than a rough demand

I knew exactly what he wanted, and if I didn’t say it, he’d walk away and never return. “Mate.”

His piercing blue eyes turned the color of ice, a growl tearing from him even as he yanked open the door. He cupped my face, pushing me back until my shoulders pressed against the cool marble.

And he didn’t stop until every inch of my body was covered by his own. I was drowning in the scent of autumn leaves that seemed to rise from his very essence.

I felt surrounded by him.

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