Page 72 of The Wolf's Surrogate

“I almost died protecting her.”

“You never told me that either.”

He snickered. “I haven’t told you a lot of things, Ani.”

I frowned. “But you said you wouldn’t keep anything from me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” He leaned forward and stole my lips, soothing me with rapid kisses. “I’m so sorry, baby. I was so focused on making sure Phil didn’t hurt you that I didn’t tell you any of this.”

I pressed my forehead to his forehead. “You’re telling me now. That counts.”

“I can’t tell you how relieving it is to hear you say that.”

“I did hide some things from you. Like my plan to meet Phil.” I closed my eyes as I felt the shame of my omission. “I’m so sorry I did that.”

He shushed me. “You were trying to fix your situation.”

“I’m just glad you got there in time.”

“I’m glad Jermaine called me to ask where I was going.”

I bit my lower lip with a sheepish grin while looking up at him. “Yeah, well…”

“Well, you could have been in the black ops with that kind of stealth.”

“You’re not mad?”

He shook his head. “I’m upset, but I’m not mad at you, baby. I’m just glad we can move on with our lives.”

Tears were coming again. I was about to be a mess. “I’d like that so much, Liam.”

“Anita?”

“Yeah?”

He trembled as he touched my lips. “I think I love you.”

Affection, unlike anything I’d ever encountered, bloomed in my core. I hugged him tightly as tears streamed freely to the mattress. Every time I opened my mouth to respond, another rush of tears came forth, silencing me with the brilliant reality of his admission.

Another quiet moment passed. He never tried to leave my arms, turning his head so he could breathe as he embraced me.

I shakily inhaled his scent, reminded of his protective presence that comforted my soul. I clung to him with all my might. “I love you too.”

***

Morning came with a mild headache and some nausea. After rushing to the bathroom to grab my graham crackers, I returned to the hallway where I peered into Liam’s bedroom. He slept peacefully with his arm in the space where I’d slept all night.

A smile sat on his lips. He was sweet when he slept. He was sweet when he was awake too. I wondered how long that sweetness would last.

Memphis chirped behind me. I turned to find his tail high in the air, flickering with annoyance at my lack of attention. I chuckled as I led him toward the stairs while munching on a cracker. In the living room, I grabbed my phone from the charger, frowning at the shattered screen.

I couldn’t text, but I could make phone calls. I would have to go into town and get a new one today. Sterling was probably losing his mind doing the things I usually did. I had to call him back and apologize for being absent so long.

But not before I thanked Liam for saving me last night.

After I fed Memphis, I went to work preparing a breakfast fit for the gods. I scrambled some eggs, fried up some bacon, and toasted the waffles I found in the freezer. By the time Liam came downstairs, I was piling up a plate with the goodies.

He rubbed his eyes and smiled. “You didn’t have to do that.”

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