Page 100 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part One
“Yeah,” he answers gruffly. “I can’t imagine you not being with us now. I know it’s fast,” he shrugs, “but life isn’t always certain. I don’t see the point in pretending you don’t want something.”
I search his face and almost weep with relief that he isn’t kicking me out when this is done. “I love you,” I blurt out and want to clamp a hand over my mouth.
“What?” Ari croaks.
I almost start back peddling, but what he said about pretending sticks out. Why should I have to hide that I love this big, beautiful man? “I love you,” I say with more conviction. “I know it’s probably not what you want to hear, or you might not be ready. But I’m ready for you to know. I love you. I’minlove with you. The truth is, I have been for a while. Way before I probably should have been when all you did was flirt with me. You’ve had my heart for a long time, Ari.”
“Fuck,” Ari breathes and then crushes his lips against mine. The kiss is hard and almost desperate. He pulls back and lays his forehead against mine. “I love you too, Sweet cheeks. I’ve never loved someone like I love you. You make my world a better place. You make me want to be better for you.”
“I love you just the way you are,” I whisper, afraid that he'll take everything back if I speak too loud. “You’re brave, strong, and fiercely loyal. I don’t want to change you.”
“You deserve better than me,” Ari mumbles. “I’m not…good, Jason. I’ve done bad shit for all the wrong reasons.” He finally looks at me. “When I first joined the Saviors, I was angry. I killed just because I could. I did whatever the leader at the time told me to do. I have a lot of blood on my hands, Sweet cheeks.”
I shrug. “I don’t care. That’s in the past. What you do now is who you really are. I know I wasn’t very receptive at first, but I was just surprised. Yousavepeople, Ari, even when it risks your life. How can you tell me that’s not good?”
“I’m too fucking selfish to let you go.” He rubs his thumb across my bottom lip. “You’re stuck with me.”
“I’m fine with that.” I smile and kiss the tip of his thumb. “Even when you snore.”
“I don’t snore,” Ari argues, completely offended.
“You do.” I lay my lips against his before he can argue anymore. This kiss is slow and sweet, all our feelings pouring into it. I feel like my heart has grown ten sizes because, not only do I love this man…
He loves me, too.
After Kira gotout of class on Friday, Ari drove us straight to Chelsea’s. Ari and I spent all night and most of the day wrapped up in each other. It was still surreal, but I wasn’t letting my doubts take this away from me.
Ari pulls up to a huge gate and puts in a code. The gate swings open, and Ari drives up a long driveway. When the massive house comes into view, I can’t help but stare out the window.
“This place is gorgeous,” Kira comments.
“It’s probably the safest place in Forest Grove,” Ari replies. He pulls in behind a black Ferrari.Holy shit.“It looks like everyone is already here.” Ari gets out of the car and walks to our side, helping us from the car. He leads us to the garage and pushes open a door, leading us into the kitchen. I can hear laughter spilling through the house, and I still wonder if they really want me here.
Kira reaches over and squeezes my hand. “It will be fun.”
Chelsea comes around the corner and claps her hands. “Yay! You’re here. Bridget already broke out the alcohol. Ari, you can go.” She makes a shooing motion with her hands, and I laugh.
“Nice to see you too, Chels,” Ari says dryly. She gives him a big smile, and he rolls his eyes. “I’ll see you guys later.” He gives me a long, lingering kiss and then does the same to Kira. When we turn back to Chelsea, her mouth is hanging wide open. He slips through the door with a shit-eating grin, closing it softly behind him.
“Well, okay.” Chelsea grabs both our hands and starts pulling us to the living room. Evie is laid back in the chair in front of the window, Bridget is sitting cross-legged in front of the coffee table, and Les is lounging back on the couch. “They’re here! Girls, this is Kira.”
Evie is the first one to jump up and rush over. She pulls me into a hug, kissing my cheek. “It’s good to see you.” She gives Kira one of her soft smiles. “I’m Evie.”
“Hi,” Kira says shyly.
Evie turns around and points to Bridget. “That’s Bridget, and that’s Les.”
Les crosses her arms on the back of the couch and props her chin on them. “You’re Kane’s sister, right?” Kira nods. “Cool. Welcome to the shitshow.” That seems to relax Kira a little bit. I know she was worried about how the girls would react to her,even though I repeatedly told her that they wouldn’t care. “I’m sorry you got stuck with Ari’s crew.”
Kira laughs. “It’s hard some days, but I manage.”
“I’m sure you do,” Chelsea says, grinning from ear to ear. Bridget jumps at that, holding on with both hands.
“Okay. Someone start spilling,” she replies.
Evie rolls her eyes and leads us into the living room. Kira and I sit side by side on the loveseat. “Can you at least give them time to settle in?”
Bridget huffs and hands us two solo cups. “Evie made them. I have no idea what they are, but they’re amazing.”
