Page 60 of Never Going to Care

Landon gives her a look of understanding before leaning in and kissing her forehead. It’s the act of an older brother and I smile at it instead of feeling jealous. “Of course, Celeste, but make sure you call your brother. I don’t want him banging on my door to get answers.”

“I will,” my woman sounds tired as fuck and that’s when I know it’s time to go.

I look between my brothers, the rest of them who came when I called having come closer. “Thank you,” my voice catches with gratitude.

Barrett smirks at me and waves me off. “Go, take care of your girl. We’ve got your back.”

I nod and then I’m leading Celeste to my car, needing to get her secure and safe in our home. It’s a need which is riding me hard now that everything is taken care of for the moment. I need to get her relaxed. I’m afraid she’s going to fall apart when we get home, but I also know how damn strong she is.

I get her buckled in and close the door, taking a moment to take a deep breath and let it out slowly. It could have gone down so differently, but it didn’t. It didn’t. She’s safe. She’s here with me. She loves me. She’s moving in.

As I slide behind the wheel, it’s hard to focus on getting us home, but I’d never do anything that puts my woman in danger so I force myself. I know Blaze was giving me shit about marrying her, but what he doesn’t know, what she doesn’t know, is I already have a ring for her.

I got it the morning after the wedding. I wasn’t sure how long it would take for me to be able to give it to her, but I knew then I wouldn’t be giving up. There was no way I ever could.

When I reach over and grip my Starlight’s knee, she turns her head away from the window and the passing urban landscape to look at me. The slow, sweet smile she gives me is like a balm to the edges of my anger. It’s exactly what I need, but I’m still a little afraid she’s going to crash.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

When Celeste places her hand over mine, she gives it a squeeze of reassurance. “I’m okay,” the slight tremor in her voice makes me wish I could have hurt Joe. “I think it’s going to take a little time to feel completely safe, but I know I’m safe with you.”

“You won’t be going back there except to pack, and I’ll be right at your side the entire time,” there’s a promise in my voice and I know she can hear it by the way she gives my hand another squeeze.

“What if there are things that I need to pack that I don’t want you to see?”

My dick kicks in my pants and I growl, “What kinds of things?”

Celeste’s giggle fills up the car and when I glance at her from the corner of my eye, she shrugs one shoulder as if I’m not thinking about some kinky shit. I am. I so am.

“Woman,” I warn, but there’s no real heat in it.

We lapse into a comfortable silence, one I’m okay with wrapping around us for the moment. When we get home, I lead her inside. The moment we’re safe and the alarm is set, she launches herself at me and I catch her easily.

The way she buries her face in my neck and takes a shuddering breath tells me everything I need to know. She’s not okay. But she will be. I’m going to make sure of it.

When I carry her to the bathroom, I start the shower and strip her slowly. I kiss every inch of her skin as I expose it. I need to worship her like the goddess she is. I need her to know that her moonlight shines on me and that I see her beauty.

With every press of my lips against her flesh she lets out a contented sigh and I can feel how her body relaxes. It’s exactly what she needs. What we both need.

When we step into the shower, I wash her slowly and make sure I don’t miss a single inch. My cock is hard and demanding, but we both ignore it. I can handle it. I might be a slave to my baser instincts with her most of the time, but not right now. This is all about her.

I use the same care when I dry her off, the day no longer hanging heavy around our necks. When we’re dry and standing in the bathroom, I wrap her up in the towel, tucking in the end and kissing her forehead. My eyes slide closed for a moment, and I let the fact that she’s right here with me and isn’t leaving sink into me.

I murmur the words against her skin, “Are you really moving in here?”

“I am if you’re sure you want me to,” there’s a hint of unease in her voice.

I pull back enough to look down at her and cup her face in my hands. One of my thumbs brushes along the edge of her plump bottom lip. “I’ve never been surer of anything, Starlight. I want you here. I was never going to let you leave.”

My sassy spitfire arches her eyebrow, “Let me?”

I grunt, “You heard me.”

Celeste’s eyes glitter with naughty promise as she undoes her towel and lets it drop to the floor. When she reaches out and undoes the one I have around my hips, it joins the pile on the floor. I can’t even be bothered to pick them up, not right now with my woman standing in front of me bare with need shining in her eyes.

“I need,” Celeste’s voice wavers slightly, but she swallows hard and tries again, “I need you to help me forget, Hale.” There’s so much trust in her eyes as she peers up at me. “Can you do that?”

I wrap my arms around my woman’s body and grip her ass, picking her up and pressing our bodies together. I kiss her hard, my restraint slipping, as I stride into our bedroom and lay her on the bed. I follow her down and cover her body with mine