Page 65 of The Gargoyle and the Songbird

I chuckle ruefully, shaking my head as I meet Ecco’s playful gaze. “You’ve already shattered that notion to pieces, little siren. Obliterated it beyond recognition.”

My expression sobers as I brush a lock of hair from her face, tucking it tenderly behind her ear.

“I meant what I said before, Ecco. I’ve never been in a relationship. It was tough to fathom having one in my line of work.”

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding as I prepare to lay myself bare before her.

“When I told you I’d never slept with the same female more than once, I was being honest. Opening myself up, allowing someone close enough to be a vulnerability, went against everything I’ve ever been taught. You know that my oath to my clan has always come first to me.”

Ecco tenses slightly in my arms and I hurry to continue, needing her to understand.

“But you, Ecco… you’ve changed everything for me. Turned my whole world upside down.” I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs caressing her soft cheeks as I stare deep into those captivating violet eyes. “You’re headstrong and impulsive andyou have a knack for finding trouble. You drive me absolutely insane sometimes.”

Ecco’s lips purse playfully. “Is this leading somewhere nice, or redo those ties and leave you here for a while?”

“Yes, it’s going somewhere nice,” I say. “It’s because I like you so damn much. I didn’t know I could feel this way about another person.”

The words are pouring out of me now, a torrent of emotion I can no longer hold back. “I want to protect you, Ecco. More than I’ve ever wanted to protect anyone, or anything.”

I realize as I say the words that they’re true; I want to protect her even more than our clan’s mountain pass. It’s a dangerous thought that I’ll have to revisit later.

I stroke her cheek again. “I’d like to be with you, Ecco. If you’ll have me. I can’t imagine being anywhere but by your side.”

Ecco grins, an incandescent look that lights up the room. “Really? That’s what I want, too—honestly, what I’ve wanted from the first moment I saw you. I was afraid of the way I felt, since I didn’t know if you’d want something like that.”

“I do. This is new for me, though. I’m not sure how to do this, how to be with someone romantically. I’m really fucking afraid of hurting you.”

Ecco snuggles closer, her head resting on my chest as she draws lazy patterns on my skin with her fingertip. “Don’t worry, big guy. My skin is plenty thick—I’ve been hurt before and survived. I can handle a little risk.”

A growl tears out of my throat at her casual mention of past hurts. My arms tighten around her reflexively.

“Give me their names,” I demand, my voice dangerous. “I’ll make sure they never hurt you again.”

Ecco laughs softly, the sound soothing my bristling protective instincts. She presses a tender kiss over my heart.

“Everyone before you is inconsequential, Graeme. Ancient history. You don’t need to worry about them.”

Ecco tilts her head up to meet my gaze.

“But if any of them do show their faces again, who should I say is looking for them? My bodyguard?”

Her lips curve into an impish smile.

“Or… my boyfriend?”

My heart stutters at the label, a thrill racing through me. I never thought such a simple word could fill me with so much satisfaction, so much rightness.

I press a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Both,” I murmur against her skin. “I’m both.”

I never knew how right that word would sound.Boyfriend.

24

GRAEME

The storefronts all glisten in the morning light with a thin layer of frost as Ecco and I stroll past, our breath puffing out in wispy clouds.

I can’t help but marvel at how different everything feels—not just the crisp winter air nipping at my granite skin, but everything about this quaint little town. A few weeks ago, the idea of spending a leisurely morning in a magical town meandering to brunch with friends would have seemed like a frivolous waste of time.

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