Page 40 of Horned to be Wild
“You can’t tell me what to do,” Jeremy blustered.
Torin growled and took a step towards him and for the first time, Jeremy seemed to realize just how big and powerful Torin really was. He started retreating towards his car, but he kept talking.
“You’re making a mistake. This rustic fantasy will get old, and when it does?—”
“Get. Out.”
With one last, furious glare at her, Jeremy ducked into his car, slammed the door, and sped out of the driveway, kicking up gravel that scattered across her yard.
“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath, then turned to face Torin. “You came back. What changed your mind?”
“I realized I was an idiot.”
“Yes, you are. But what made you realize it?”
“I was so sure you would go with him,” he said softly. “But then I remembered that you told me you wouldn’t leave. You told me you… loved me.”
Her heart ached at the hint of uncertainty in his voice. But he had returned anyway.
“I realized I should have trusted you. So I came back.”
She shook her head, but she smiled at him.
“I’m very glad you did. No more running?” she added quietly.
"I promise. I can't promise I won't doubt myself, but I will never run from you again."
She stepped into his embrace, her arms winding around his neck. "Then I promise to keep reminding you that I chose this. That I chose you."
In choosing this new life, she had chosen what mattered most, and Torin, with his gruffness and his vulnerability, with his rough exterior and his hidden tenderness, was an integral part of that choice.
He sighed, his face burrowing into her hair, his big hands stroking her back.
"I should never have left you alone with that asshole."
She laughed. "I didn't need your help to handle Jeremy." Although Torin’s presence had probably speeded up his departure.
“I know,” he said quickly. “But I still should have been at your side. That’s what… partners do.”
She looked up at him, her breath catching at the tenderness in his eyes. “Partners?”
“If you still want me.”
“I do,” she said, her voice trembling. “I always did.”
He reached for her, pulling her close, and she buried her face in his chest, breathing him in, reveling in the strength and warmththat enveloped her. For a moment they simply held each other, then he tilted her chin up so he could see her face.
“I love you,” he said softly.
Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes. She had been sure that he did, but she hadn’t realized until that moment how much she wanted to hear him say it.
“I know. But thank you for saying it.”
“It was… hard for me. But I intend to say it a lot more often.” His tail flicked nervously. “I’m not good at saying things, but I want you to know that I’m trying.”
“You can always show me instead,” she teased, and he immediately bent to kiss her, his mouth gentle, his lips soft against hers.
“Like that?” he murmured, lifting his mouth just far enough to speak.
