Page 77 of Moonlight and Mischief
Closing the door behind me, I approach her cautiously. Her eyes are red but dry as if she’s run out of tears.
“I have blood on me,” she whispers. I see droplets drying to brown across her shirt and joggers. The skin on her hands is raw as she continues to scrub. I remember the enemy with my dagger sticking out of his back. It’s the first time she had to kill someone.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I say. Leaning past her to the shower, I crank the handle over to red. “Nothing a hot shower can’t fix.”
Sniffling, she nods and allows me to pull her shirt over her head. “Thank you,” she says. Her hands go to the hem of my shirt, and she gently peels it off me. My hands go to her waist, pulling her closer.
“You were amazing today,” I praise her, “You saved them.” It’s true. Her students would likely be dead now without her bravery and quick thinking.
Her hands skim up my chest and stop at my neck as her thumbs stroke along my jaw.
“You took down two guys,” she murmurs. “You threw that dagger right into that wolf before he could hurt me.”
“I would do it again in a heartbeat to protect you.”
Her alluring lips don’t answer, instead, she presses a kiss to my mouth. There’s more discussion to be had, but I won’t rush her.
Hooking my thumbs into her waistband, I ease her pants down and then turn her towardthe shower. Her grip on me tightens, pulling me with her. “You want company?” I ask, smiling wryly. She answers by tugging my hand under the water spray. “Anything for you.”
Shedding my pants, I step into the tub and allow the shower spray to coat me. The tempered glass door slides closed with a dull thud. Water streaks down her stomach as she faces the stream and allows it to strike her face and front. My fingers work through her hair, untangling the remnants of her braid and massaging her scalp.
Finding some soap, I run my palms down her arms and then across her chest. She melts into me. The last of the soap rinses away and I’m drawing leisurely circles across the skin on her ribs.
“See? All better.” I murmur into her neck. At the sound of my voice, she twists in my arms and resumes kissing me, this time fiercer and wilder. Her nails prick the skin on my back as she pulls me flush against her. Water drips from her closed eyelashes, hiding any tears she might shed.
She nips along my jaw, eliciting a shudder and causing my hands to clench in her hair. “Take me to bed.” Blinking at me, she amends, “I need you to hold me and know we’re okay.”
“Alright, Sunshine.”
We borrow towels and wrap ourselves up before creeping across the hall to our designated bedroom. Leaving her hair damp, she climbs under the blankets completely bare. Her wide blue-green eyes watch me, wide and vulnerable.
“So are we okay?” I ask cautiously, crawling across the bedspread toward her. Her tongue swipes her bottom lip and I’m tempted to forgo my questions so I can kiss her senseless. But we need to discuss us. I’m not going back into battle without knowing she’s mine.
“Yes, I think so,” she says.
Drawn to her warmth, I hover over her and nuzzle against her neck. She arches and presents her throat to me. I can’t help the groan that rumbles from my chest. The wolf part of me loves when she’s submissive.
“I’m sorry for going behind your back. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being directly in the path of our enemies,” I say before licking the skin in the hollow under her throat. She rewards me with a soft sigh.
“I should have talked with you first. I should have listened to you,” she says, her hands sliding over my shoulders and pulling me down.
Breathing in her scent, I gather my courage. “So about what I said in your family’s cabin?”
Her breathing halts and her eyes trail over my face while she gathers her thoughts.
“I’m sorry, you don’t need to say anything.” I murmur, “I just wanted you to know I’m ready to commit, whenever you are. And it’s okay if you need time. Months or even years. I’m not going anywhere,” I trail off.
“I want to,” Marigold says. “There’s no point in denying what we are.” Her hand skims down my side. “This is forever.”
Her words blaze across my skin, leaving a trail of heat and need. She wants me in that all-consuming and permanent way. The need to possess and mark surges in my chest.
“You are my mate.” Her lips form the words that I’m desperate to hear. Everything I’ve wanted. My vision blurs for a moment and I have to suck in air to steady myself.
MARIGOLD
Jasper’s eyes glow so brightly, I suspect they’ll leave spots on my retina. His aqua eyes are incredible at all times, but when he’s angry or aroused, they’re spellbinding.
“Little mate, I want to make you mine,” he says, that velvety voice deep and raw. My stomach swoops.
