Page 128 of Dark & Dreadful Brutes

He had a towel ready for me when I was clean. I stepped out, and he wrapped it around me, brushing his lips against my cheek and squeezing my breasts lightly through the fabric. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Thank the veil for these perfect, human curves.”

I laughed, and kissed him. “You’re weird tonight.”

“I’ve just been thinking a lot.” His expression grew rueful.

“About what?” I dried my hair as much as I could with the towel, then padded out of the bathroom.

“About life.”

“You’re going to have to be more specific.” I stepped into the closet, pulling one of his shirts out and slipping it over my head as he leaned against the doorway. “Life without me? If that’s what you’re thinking about, I’ll have to fight you. And I know I’ll win, because you won’t hurt me, even if you’ve decided to cut me loose.”

“Not life without you. Veil, I hope I never have to think about that again.” He studied me. “Life without the bond.”

Oh.

There was a small lump in my throat, and I couldn’t stop my gaze from moving to the soft silver glow on his palm. I’d miss that when our bond was gone.

I’d miss a lot of things about it, honestly.

The mental connection, most of all.

“I’ve been thinking about that too,” I admitted.

“What have you been thinking about it?”

“No, I’m not the one spilling my thoughts on that first. I already know that humans have different ideas about bonds, and marriages, and mating, than the fae, so I’m almost confident we don’t agree.” I tried to step past him, but he caught my hips and dragged me close.

When I squeezed my eyes shut, he tilted my head back, and waited.

Finally, I opened them.

Those gorgeous purple eyes of his were staring down at me like they were searching my soul.

“I love you, Lae,” Ravv said.

The words were soft, but certain.

My throat swelled. “You what?”

“I love you. You make my life better, so damn much better. I love talking with you, fighting with you, laughing with you. I love the way you think, and the way you feel so damn intensely. I love you.” His calm confidence wasn’t overwhelming, or overpowering.

It was just… perfect.

My eyes burned as my emotions swelled. He brushed his mouth against mine, but I pulled away before the kiss could turn into anything else.

“I love you too,” I admitted. “I’ve known for a while, but I thought I’d scare you away if I said it. You make me happy, Ravv. Happier than I ever knew I could be. And even more than that, you make me feel safe, in every way.”

His lips curved upward, his eyes glittering with emotion, and then he kissed me again.

I could nearly feel his emotions bleeding into mine through the bond.

His fierce love.

His overwhelming gratitude.

His flooding peace.

When he pulled away, his hands gripped my face. My lips were swollen, and we were both breathing fast as our foreheads pressed against each other.

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