Page 203 of Red Rooster

In her own selfish way, she loved the marks. They proved he was a person who’d made sacrifices; someone who, despite his stoic silence, felt deeply, and passionately.

She felt his face in her hair, the warmth of his breath against her scalp. “Deshawn said we could stay if we wanted.”

She’d already figured as much, but nodded. Anxiety tugged lightly at her stomach. She trusted Deshawn, and she was grateful for Lionheart’s help keeping Rooster safe. But. They were warriors. They weren’t the Institute, but they had a mission. Rooster was a Marine, and she was an engineered weapon. What little she’d seen of Rob Locksley, he didn’t seem the type to let resources go to waste.

No, she told herself firmly. If they asked for their help, it wouldn’t be the same. Not even a little bit.

She eased back a fraction so she could tip her head back, rest her chin on his chest and see his face. “What do you think?”

She wasn’t expecting the anguish that she found in his expression. His gaze slid away from hers and his mouth tucked in at the corners, a frown that looked restrained. “I think I can’t keep you safe.”

“Rooster.”

“So.” He shrugged, uncomfortable. “I think these people are okay. And I don’t know what else to do.”

He stood head and shoulders above her, but she wanted to gather him close and stroke his hair, soothe him as if he was a child.

She stared at him until he finally made eye contact again. “I don’t care where we are, so long as we’re together,” she told him, willing him to understand how much she meant that.

He stared at her a long moment, studying, until the little crease between his brows smoothed, and a softness stole across his stern features.

To her surprise, he lifted a hand and carefully tucked her damp hair behind her ear, callused them brushing gently across her cheek afterward, again and again.

“You came,” she said again, softer this time, the wonder and love settling over her afresh.

The tiniest smile touched his mouth. “Always.”

When he leaned down, she stood up on her toes so she could meet the kiss halfway.

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