Page 64 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

He blinks at me. “Did you just tell me in a roundabout way that you are in love with me?”

I nod as the tears swell in my eyes. My lungs heave, and my heart releases a torrent of emotions through my shaking body. “The last guy I was in love with fucked my oldest sister and knocked her up all the while he swore to me the entire time that he was in love withme.”

* * *

DECLAN

Watching Winter crumble hurts like fuck. She’s bawling her eyes out on the bed and rocking as she cries. I walk over and sit down on the bed beside her. Checking my watch, I have time before I need to leave and get her calm.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been a moody asshole. I’m just frustrated with everything,” I say, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. “I don’t want to leave things like this. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to push you. I just wanted to see inside your head. I’ve been tempted just to pop in, but I vowed I would never do that to my Luna.”

“You keep saying you want me to become your Luna, but I’m not sure I can. Not like this. I know we don’t have much time, but I promise you we will talk tonight when you get back from the conference.”

“Did your ex really sleep with your oldest sister?” I ask.

She nods. “Yes, Sam, who Liliana mentioned is the name of my ex-fiancé. I had no idea it was even happening. Again, I’ll explain everything tonight.”

I tilt her head towards me. “I promise you, my love, that you are it for me. I love you, Winter. I’ve wanted to say that to you for weeks.”

She smiles softly. “I love you too.”

“I have to finish getting dressed.” I let her go, and she crawls back into bed, so I toss the blankets over her before I do. “Enjoying your perv?” I ask.

“Very much so.”

I sit down on the bed beside her. “I ordered breakfast for you this morning: pancakes and berries, coffee and juice. All the things you love. It will be here at about eight-thirty.”

She starts to cry again, and I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. “No crying, beautiful.”

“It’s just…you’re so sweet, and sometimes, I don’t feel like I deserve you.”

I smile. “We’ll talk later. I love you.”

“Have a good day.”

“I’ll try. You too.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“I say go and enjoy that spa bath.”

She laughs. “Not without you.”

“Later, my love.” I pull on my suit jacket as I watch her eyes fill with lust.Wait until she sees the tuxedo later.“I want to stay, but I can’t.”

She winks at me. “I can wait.”

I exit the hotel room and make my way to the conference. I don’t want to leave, not with the way things are. I have a lot of questions for her. I’m sure she’ll be able to answer some of those now. Others, maybe not so much. I can’t believe her ex-fiancé cheated on her with her sister. Not only is that gross, but to get the sister pregnant while declaring his love for Winter is wrong.

When we put things right, I will never stop telling her how much I love and adore her. She is my love. My Luna. My whole heart.

Twenty-Four

WINTER

I’m the only one who can fix Declan and I’s relationship. I’m pouring a glass of wine as I rehearse the speech I want to give him. I will also actually say the words I love you again and again until his ears bleed from hearing them so much. He’ll tire of it, but he needs to know I mean it. I finish pouring my glass as the door to the hotel room opens. Declan walks inside, looking exhausted after his day. He’s carrying a brown paper bag.

I haven’t heard from him all day, not that I expected to; he was busy.

---