Page 83 of Anything for You
His voice was a graveled rumble now, and it’d shifted. His hands dragged me closer, my soft against his hard, and our breaths grew ragged.
“Just you.”
My words were a whisper, but he heard them loud and clear. He stood, and I wrapped my legs around his waist to hold me in place. Bear perked up, ID tags clinking, but Dorian’s command for him to stay settled him back as we moved down the hallway.
At the threshold of his doorway, he stopped, gaze pinning me. “This doesn’t have to be more than what we’ve done. It doesn’t have to be anything.”
“I meant what I said at the bookstore.” I’d wanted to end up right here, in his arms, heading to his bedroom, and soon into his bed. I hadn’t been quite sure we’d end up exactly like this, but I wasn’t going to pretend I wasn’t happy about it.
“You can always change your mind.”
I shifted in his arms so he’d set me down, then walked to the bed and sat on the edge. “I’m not changing my mind. Please don’t stop on my account.”
He dropped to one knee, tugging at the bottom of one of my pant legs, and gave me an absolutely heart-stopping smile.
“Anything for you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Dorian
Bear leaned his head against my shoulder and made a sound that roused me enough to get my bearings.
“Hey, buddy. I’m good. You need to go out though, don’t you?” I spoke quietly, not ready to wake from the dream of the last few days. I was resting on the couch because I hadn’t slept much. First, because Dove had… occupied my time and thoughts. And then second because we’d had a series of issues on the farm and I’d been working like crazy.
The doorbell rang then and I realized I must’ve missed the first ring because Bear jumped and edged toward the door as if to say, “Did you hear it this time? Comeon.”
“Got it, bud.” I slipped my feet back into my sneakers and shuffled to the door. Without looking, I swung the door open, surprised to find three faces peering back at me.
Kenny’s face fell the instant he saw me scrubbing at one eye.
“Were you asleep? In the middle of the day?”
The edge of panic in his voice was like a punch to the gut. “I was just tired. We had some issues on the farm and I’ve been busy.”
“You’re not sleeping. That’s usually not a great sign,” Beast grumbled, though concern shone in his eyes.
“Come in and get out of the chill,” I said, frustrated that I hadn’t communicated with them enough for them to know I was doing okay. This was a rather unstealthy wellness check and though I loved them for it and would never begrudge them the check-in since they’d literally saved my life in the past, I didn’t want them worrying over me.
They plodded in, crisp brown leaves swirling in the driveway and up onto the porch as I shut the door behind them. Once everyone had settled and Bear had taken up his post next to his beloved Beast, his most favorite person with the possible exception of Tristan and now, Dove, I braced for the conversation.
“I really am doing well. I haven’t gotten much sleep lately. Things with the farm have been busy.” I folded my hands, not wanting to come out with everything if I didn’t have to.
“Wouldn’t you be toast and fall right to sleep? Is it anxiety? Or nightmares?”
Kenny’s worry radiated off him. As much as he tended to be an optimist and steady when things were going wrong, I’d learned I was a bit of a soft spot for him.
Remembering this helped me not give in to the frustration flirting at the edges of my mind. “No. Nightmares haven’t been a persistent problem. Generally, I think my anxiety is really well-managed. And since I know you’ll want to ask, I have been keeping Dr. Corrigan informed.”
Kenny visibly relaxed. Luc seemed the calmest, andJude ran a hand over Bear’s head in gentle strokes, my dog blissed out with the affection.
After a beat, Luc asked, “What about Dove?”
I knew it was coming, but I hadn’t guarded against it carefully enough. One hand scrubbed over my beard, but Kenny detected the smile despite my efforts.
“Oh, hell yes! Tell us everything!” He practically bounced out of his seat, the former energy filled with concern shifting to something explosively excited.
“Things are going well.”
