Page 19 of Back to You (Legendary Shifters #14)

That was something else to think about. Ronan was worried about Peter, but he wasn’t sure how to help or if there was anything he could do.

Peter had always been Vincent’s best friend, and considering he and Ronan hadn’t been in contact for four years, Ronan wasn’t sure Peter would want him around. He wanted to help, though.

“Maybe you should talk to him about becoming a pack member.”

“Maybe. I don’t know what he’ll think about it, but it would be a distraction at the very least.”

“And it would mean you could move here sooner.”

Vincent looked at Ronan. “You really want me to?”

“I never want to be away from you again. We were separated for too long, and I’m done spending my nights in different beds. If you want to move in, you can do it tomorrow.”

“Yeah?”

He sounded hesitant, and that wouldn’t do.

Ronan needed Vincent to understand just how serious he was.

He didn’t care about the four years they’d spent apart.

He didn’t care that they were different people now.

“Come home with me,” he said. The words hung in the air between them.

Ronan wanted Vincent to understand exactly what he was saying.

“Not just for the night. Stay. Move in with me. Be with me.”

Vincent’s breath caught. He was beautiful—he always had been, but there was something about the maturity he’d gained over the past four years that made him even more appealing. More than that, he looked like Ronan’s future.

“Ronan,” Vincent began, his voice shaky. “I—”

“I’m asking as your mate,” Ronan interrupted, stepping closer. “Your mate, Vincent. I’ve waited too fucking long for this. You’re mine. You’ve always been mine, even when I thought you were dead.”

The intensity in Vincent’s gaze held Ronan captive.

He couldn’t look away, couldn’t think past the heat radiating from Vincent’s body and the way his scent wrapped around him like a promise.

He’d never wanted anyone the way he wanted Vincent, and he was desperate to have him back in his life permanently.

“I thought you left me,” Vincent whispered, his voice breaking. “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.”

Ronan swallowed. If Fulton was still alive, he’d go find him and tear him apart for all the pain he’d inflicted on Vincent.

He reached out, his hand hovering near Vincent’s cheek before he finally cupped it, keeping his touch gentle so he wouldn’t startle his mate.

“I thought you were dead,” he said. “Your father told me you died, and I was too stupid to second-guess it. If I’d known—if I’d known you were alive, I would’ve torn the world apart to find you.

I would have found a way to escape the cage your father put me in.

” But he hadn’t even tried. He hadn’t had it in him when he’d thought his mate was dead.

Ronan’s heart ached at the pain in Vincent’s expression.

Vincent might know that Ronan hadn’t left him willingly now, but the pain he’d felt was still there.

The confusion, the heartbreak, the way he’d felt for years, all of that was still there.

Ronan would do everything he could to help Vincent forget it, but would he ever?

“I’ve been so stupid,” Ronan murmured, leaning in until their foreheads touched. “I’ve been holding back, trying to give you space, but I can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep pretending I’m fine with the distance between us. I don’t care if it’s too soon. I need you, and I’m done waiting.”

Vincent’s breath hitched, and his pupils dilated. There was no mistaking the hunger in his eyes, and Ronan knew it was reflected in his. They both wanted the same thing, so why wait? Why delay the inevitable?

“Ronan,” Vincent whispered.

“Yes or no, Vincent,” Ronan demanded. “Tell me what you want.” He’d wait if the answer was no, but he didn’t want to. He’d waited for four years already.

He’d been careful not to push too hard. He’d been patient and understanding, even when it got frustrating.

He understood that Vincent had felt rejected by his mate for four long years, but Vincent had always been Ronan’s anchor.

He’d always felt safe and whole with him, even when everything else in his life was falling apart.

He wanted to wake up to Vincent every morning, to build a life together in pack territory, to be happy—forever this time.

“Yes,” Vincent said, his voice steady now. “Yes, I’ll come home with you. I’ll stay.”

* * * *

RONAN’S brEATH LEFT him in a rush, his shoulders sagging as if a weight had been lifted.

His hand slid from Vincent’s cheek to the back of his neck, and he used the hold to pull Vincent closer until their lips were a hair’s breadth apart.

“Thank fuck,” he murmured. “I don’t think I could’ve handled it if you’d said no. ”

Vincent’s lips curved into a small smile.

His heart fluttered at the vulnerability in Ronan’s voice.

They’d been like this before, too, and he was glad to have it back.

Ronan had only ever allowed himself to be vulnerable with Vincent, and Vincent wanted to be his safe place.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” he teased as his breath mingled with Ronan’s.

“Good,” Ronan murmured. “Because I’m never letting you go again.”

The kiss was inevitable—had been since they’d found each other again outside the gate.

It felt like coming home, warm and familiar, like something they should never have stopped doing.

Ronan’s mouth was hot and demanding, and his grip on Vincent was tight and possessive.

It was like he was afraid Vincent would disappear if he let go.

Vincent didn’t mind because he feared the same. He melted against Ronan, his hands finding his mate’s broad shoulders, his body instinctively arching closer. Ronan felt a bit different from four years ago. He was broader and harder, but he was still Vincent’s.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing hard. Vincent pressed their foreheads together, unwilling to put more space between them. He wasn’t ready. He didn’t think he ever would be.

Ronan’s eyes were dark with desire, and his pupils were blown wide. Vincent could feel the evidence of his arousal pressed against his hip.

He’d missed this. Things had never been like this with anyone else, and they never would be. Luckily, he didn’t have to look for love anymore. He had it right here in his arms.

“Let’s go home,” Ronan murmured. “I need you.”

Vincent nodded. His heart was racing, but there was nothing he wanted more. “Okay,” he whispered. “Let’s go.”

The walk back to Ronan’s place was a blur of tangled hands and stolen kisses. They stumbled over roots and fallen leaves, and Vincent felt the way he had ten years ago. He wasn’t twenty-something anymore, but he didn’t need to be. Ronan would love him like this, too.

Every touch sparked a fire that burned hotter than the one before it. When they finally reached the house and stumbled inside, Ronan didn’t bother with the lights. He just pushed Vincent against the wall, his hands roaming over his body as if he couldn’t get enough.

Vincent knew he couldn’t.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” Ronan said in a low tone that sent shivers down Vincent’s spine. His lips trailed down Vincent’s neck. “I’ve missed this. Missed you.”

Vincent tipped his head back, moaning softly as Ronan’s teeth scraped against his skin. He fumbled with the buttons of Ronan’s shirt, desperate to feel the heat of his skin, to remind himself that this was real, that they were real and back together.

“Ronan,” Vincent breathed out. “I—”

Ronan didn’t let him finish. He caught Vincent’s lips in another kiss as his hands slid under Vincent’s shirt. When he finally pulled away, his gaze was intense. “Say it,” he demanded, his voice low. “Say you’re mine. Say you’re never leaving me.”

Vincent’s breath hitched. Ronan seemed as afraid to lose him as much as he was afraid to lose Ronan. The past still fucked with their heads, but it would pass. It had to.

In the meantime, Vincent would do everything he could to reassure Ronan. “I’m yours,” he promised, his voice steady despite how overwhelmed he felt. “I’ve always been yours.” Even when he’d thought that Ronan had left him, he’d been his. That would never change.

Ronan’s growl of approval made Vincent whimper. Ronan didn’t say anything else—he didn’t have to. Instead, he took Vincent’s hand and led him through the house to the bedroom.

Vincent hadn’t been here before. The house looked too neat next to his memories of the apartment he’d shared with Ronan, but a lot of the mess had been his. Ronan also hadn’t been living here long, but Vincent could imagine both of them here.

He never wanted to leave.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silvery glow over the room. Vincent started to look around, but Ronan pushed him onto the bed, and the interest he’d had in the room flew right out the window.

Ronan hovered over Vincent, and his gaze locked onto him with an intensity that made Vincent’s breath catch.

“Forever, Vincent,” Ronan said, his voice rough. “You’re mine forever.”

Vincent’s pulse raced, and his body thrummed with anticipation. He reached up, his fingers brushing against Ronan’s cheek, and nodded. “I’m yours,” he whispered.

Ronan’s lips curved into a smile. “Good,” he murmured.

Ronan’s hand slid down Vincent’s chest, his fingertips grazing the sensitive skin just above the waistband of Vincent’s jeans. Vincent’s breath hitched, his body arching slightly into the touch. He craved more. He’d been dreaming of this for the past four years, and he finally had it.

Ronan’s lips followed the path of his hand, pressing soft, teasing kisses along Vincent’s collarbone. His tongue darted out to lick Vincent’s skin.

“You still taste the same,” Ronan murmured. “Like honey.”