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“Not about that.”

Her expression drops and understanding flashes in her eyes. For a moment I expect her to pull away. To call me names, vow to never speak to me again, claim she doesn’t love me. She doesn’t do any of that. She does turn her face down. Hiding her eyes and expression from me.

“Endo told me what Nysa said. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you first. When I first found you in the woods, I wasn’t out there intentionally to deceive you. I was trying to clear my head and figure out a way to avoid my mother’s meddling. I just happened to stumble upon you. I thought you had been delivered to answer my prayers. And in a way you had. I just didn’t realize which one at the time.

“I thought we could have a little fun, I could deter my mother, and no one would get hurt. But the more time I spent with you the more I wanted to be with you. The more I was drawn to you. You became far more than just a fling for the equinox.”

I take a breath, pausing to allow her to scold me or perhaps forgive me. She doesn’t do either.

“Anyway, I’m sorry that you had to hear it from Nysa. She shouldn’t have opened her mouth. All she wants is to make other people's lives miserable. Whatever she said, just know none of it’s true. Yes, my initial intentions were indecent—sometimes they still are.”

Daisy’s head jerks up to glare at me but there’s humor swimming in her emerald gaze. I grin back.

“What can I say? You make me want to do indecent things.”

Her cheeks pinken and she presses her face into my torn shirt. The scratches the wraith caused have already healed, leaving only a little dried blood on my ruined shirt. I should probably remove it but I’m comfortable right where I am. Once Daisy is ready for bed I’ll strip for her.

“Thank you, for what you did for Delphi.”

“Of course. I’d do anything for you, and her. She’s important to you and you’re important to me. I’ll always be here for you both. No matter what.”

Daisy toys with the frayed edges of my shirt where the wraiths claw cut through it. Her long delicate fingers just barely make contact with my skin beneath. It was just this morning when I had her naked in a bathtub and moaning, and I already want her again.

“How did you know how to take care of Delphi? You said you’re a vet?”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “I got bored one year and went perusing online for something to entertain me. Stumbled upon online courses for veterinary school. I took classes online and even attended some in person. I’ve always loved animals and when I started classes it just seemed logical. Haven’t done much with my credentials yet but I think I’d like to change that. Do you think Snowberry could use a vet?”

Her pretty pink lips purse in that adorable way when she’s trying not to smile.

“Maybe. Do you plan on staying long enough to open a clinic?”

“I plan on staying forever. Think that’s long enough?”

She blinks rapidly, mouth dropping open slightly. I want to kiss her. Suck on those pouty pink lips. I take her mouth in mine before she can argue. Relishing in the way she melts against me the longer we kiss. I suck gently on her bottom lip before releasing it and brushing my nose against hers.

“Yeah, I think forever will work,” she breathes the confession against my lips.

“Any chance you have room for me here? I don’t think I want to stay at my parent’s place anymore and living at the motel doesn’t sound enticing.”

“I don’t know. You’ll have to convince Sage to let you stay too.”

“Do you think he accepts bribes?”

Daisy giggles and the sound lightens the ten-ton load on my heart. I never want to see her cry again. Nothing has ever ripped me apart like knowing I hurt her. If she’ll have me, I’ll strive to make her smile each and every day.

“That depends. Can you cook?”

“Not even a little.”

“How about we just tell him about your heroic rescue of me and Delphi from the wraith?”

My smile falls. Although the story itself would be a great tale of heroics, her reason for being in a situation to be attacked by a wraith in the first place was all my fault.

“How about we tell him how many times I made you orgasm at the festival?”

“Kai!” Daisy squeaks and slaps at my chest playfully, the pink in her cheeks darkening to red. “Don’t you dare.”

“Why don’t I just tell him how much I love his little sister? And that I’ll sacrifice my life to save hers. That I’ll do everything in my power to make her smile and laugh every day. That having her as mine and my future, makes life worth living.”