Page 85 of Midnight Hunt

My heart stopped. “Claim? Likeclaimclaim? As in, you bite my neck and mark me, leaving your scent beneath my skin to let other males know that I’m taken?”

“That you’re mine, yes,” he replied with a small laugh.

Oh. Oh, wow. He was really serious about this.

But was I ready? Could I accept that he actually wantedforeverwith me?

“I’m scared,” I admitted, allowing myself to become vulnerable once more. “If I screw this up and lose you, I won’t survive.”

He searched my face, then lowered my legs to sit on the seat beside me. “Come here,” he said, and I didn’t hesitate to straddle him as he pulled me onto his lap. Tucking a wisp of hair behind my ear, he said, “I get that you’re scared of losing me. You lost your parents, and your family was forever changed. But you didn’t cause that to happen, Vi. You’re not a failure, you’re not poison, and you’re not worthless. In fact, I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth again. We all mess up, but there’s no way in hell I’ll ever leave you.”

“But what if—”

“No buts,” he interrupted firmly, and I couldn’t help but be aroused by his dominance. “You’re Violet freaking Rivers, and you’re worthy of love. Say it.”

I almost rolled my eyes, but when his stern look intensified, I said, “I’m Violet freaking Rivers, and I’m worthy of love.”

“Good girl. Now, say it again like you mean it.”

“Griff—”

“Sayit.”

“I’m VioletfreakingRivers, and I’m worthy of love!” I shouted, and he grinned a mile wide. Something loosened in my chest, and I found myself grinning back at him. “God, Griff, I’ve been such a freaking mess.”

“Abeautifulmess,” he corrected, staring at me with such open adoration that my heart happily fluttered. “You think Arrow took away who you used to be, but I still see that same girl. She’s right here, strong and brave and perfect for me in every way. I’ll never let you go, Violet Jane.”

Tears once again filled my eyes. I couldn’t believe this was actually happening, that this wasreal. It was terrifying, but I truly believed he meant every single word.

Which was why I said without an ounce of hesitation, “I want you to claim me.”

Joy sparked in his eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve been sure for years. I just didn’t let myself believe that I could have this with you.”

“But you believe it now?”

I laughed, surprised that I could honestly say, “Yeah, I do. I really do. Thanks to you.”

He gave me a cheeky grin. “You’re welcome.”

“This is going straight to your big ego, isn’t it,” I said.

“Of course it is. I’m feeling quite full of myself at the moment.”

“Griff?”

“Hmm?”

“Shut up and claim me already.”

He laughed, even as I felt him harden beneath me. Heat flashed through my body once more, making me wetter than I already was. His pants were going to be ruined after this, but the thought of marking him with my arousal completely turned me on.

Situating myself more fully on top of his growing erection, I swept my hair back to expose the claiming spot between my shoulder and neck. “Mark me good now,” I told him in mock seriousness. “I don’t want anyone getting confused about who I belong to.”

His eyes flashed bright yellow. “Don’t worry, baby. There’ll be no confusion when I’m done with you.”

The roughness of his voice pleasantly scraped over my skin, making me shiver with anticipation. I tipped my head to the side, satisfied when I felt him tremble. He reached up and feathered his fingers over the claim spot almost reverently, then leaned forward and nuzzled the spot.

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