Page 42 of Healer’s Reckoning (The Healer’s #3)

Chapte r 42

Ava

We make quick work of saying our goodbyes. Rose cries when she hugs me, but I remind her that she’s going to be okay. She’s made of tough stuff. I know she’ll get through this; somehow, we all will. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of what’s to come. Raechel’s hug is fierce and so is her reminder to fight back. She knows how hard it’s been for me to get back into life, to really live. When I told her I’m trying; I meant it. I have a lot to live for. With getting my brother back and Bryce now in my life, I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life and I’m going to take it.

The flight home is quiet. Bryce works the entire time but checks on me often. I’m content just to look out the window and think about the days ahead. When we get back to Phoenix, I can’t help but smile when I feel the hot, dry heat from the sun on my face. Bryce steps up next to me, and I smile up at him. “It’s good to be back,” I tell him, putting my arm through his. He leans down and kisses my forehead.

“Yeah, it is.”

When we get back to Bryce’s house, I drop my bag inside my room and make quick work of unpacking. When I come back out, Bryce is busy in the kitchen. “I made a coffee for you,” he nods toward the counter.

I pick up the iced coffee, even as I stare at the machine on his counter. “Is that new?” He nods and keeps working. “When did you get it?”

“It came while you were out for a few days. It had the best reviews for making iced coffee at home.”

I stare at it, wide-eyed. “Bryce, it looks like it cost a fortune.”

“Do you like the coffee?” he asks, nodding at the coffee in my hand.

I take a drink and throw my head back. “Oh, that’s so good.”

“Then it’s worth it. I bought several syrups for you to try.” He moves out of the way, so I can see.

I laugh. “Bryce, there’s like twenty syrups there.”

He gives me a sheepish grin. “I started picking out the ones I thought you would like; I might have gotten carried away.”

I wrap my arms around his middle, surprising him. “Thank you.”

He kisses my forehead. “I'm glad you like it.”

“I love it! You have to tell me exactly how you made it, so I can recreate it.” Carrying my cup, I wander over to the counter where he’s working. “Oh, that looks good. I’m starved. What can I do to help?”

We work side by side to prepare sandwiches with lots of deli meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and red onion for him.

“Can we eat outside by the pool?” I ask when we finish making the sandwiches.

He winks at me. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”

I carry the chips and waters while he carries the sandwiches. I pop back inside for my coffee and then head back out and pull out the seat across from him at the table. I notice the tv is on, and quiet music is playing. We eat in silence for a few minutes, and I stare across the yard at the pool while we eat. “It’s so peaceful here.”

Bryce nods and swallows. “I’m really glad you like it here; I hoped you would. This is my place of escape when pack life gets really crazy.”

“Can we go for a swim when we’re done, or do you need to get back to work?”

He gives me a lazy smile. “I think I can fit in a swim with my mate.” I quickly finish my sandwich and chips and stand, dusting off my hands from the chips. He quirks an eyebrow. “You in a hurry?”

“Yes. It’s hot, and I’ve been dying to go for a swim.”

He smiles contentedly. “Go change. I’ll finish up here and clean up.”

“I’ll help you as soon as I get back.” I open the sliding door into the kitchen and then turn back. “Oh, and I’m going to warn you. Alicia had way too much fun picking out clothes for me.”

He gives me a slow sexy smile. “Good.”

I head inside to my room and open the top drawer, looking for my bikini. I stop and stare. Every colorful piece of underwear is gone. In their place is all black underwear in all different styles. I grin; I can’t help it. I throw on my swimsuit. After applying sunscreen from head to toe, I throw my hair up in a knot on top of my head and grab the awesome sunglasses Alicia bought for me. I really do need to thank her soon. I rummage through my closet and find the swimsuit coverup and throw it on over my bikini. By the time I head back out, Bryce has already put the perishables away. I decide to leave the rest for later when he has to go back to the pack house. I take in the man swimming laps. His movements are so smooth, the water barely ripples. I watch as his back and arm muscles ripple with his movements and his dark alpha marks practically glow in the water and sun. How did I get so lucky? He climbs out of the pool, and I nearly swallow my tongue. “Ready?” he asks.

I have to remember how to talk. “Did you switch out all the underwear in my drawer?”

He shrugs. “You said you prefer black; I certainly wasn’t going to argue with that. So, I replaced them.”

“You did, or Alicia did?” I ask.

He steps close and towers over me. “I picked out every piece.” His words are low and dangerously sexy.

“Huh.” I pat his chest. “You have pretty good taste. Thank you.” I walk over to the side of the pool and reach down and grab the bottom of my coverup and pull it up and off and drop it next to me. I slip off my flip flops and turn back to him. He’s staring at me, and I feel frozen in place as his eyes slowly track down my body all the way to my toes and then back up again. When he meets my eyes, I shudder at the heat there. “Remind me to give Alicia a bonus. A really good one.” His voice is deep, and I bask in the male appreciation in his eyes. I step down into the water before I burn the soles of my feet any more than they already are. He tugs me towards him as he backs into the water. Because it’s so hot out, the water is warm; and I have no problem following him into the deeper water.

He reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear and pulls me closer. We’re in deep water now, and I can’t touch the bottom. He pulls me closer still, and I wrap my legs around his waist to stay afloat. He uses his arms to keep us above the water. “Black is my new favorite color. You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen. You know that, right?” His voice is almost hoarse, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. “I can’t believe you’re my mate.” He leans forward and slowly closes the distance between us. When he takes too long, I meet him halfway. His lips close over mine, and I sigh as the world seems to right itself. His lips explore mine slowly, leisurely, and I feel myself losing touch with reality. I’ve decided this is my favorite new pastime, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough. He deepens the kiss and pulls me closer. I want more; I feel like he’s holding back. Wanting to get him to stop holding back, I use my legs to pull me closer to him. I run my hands up and over his shoulders and into the back of his hair. That seems to do the trick. His lips on mine are suddenly much more aggressive. I part my lips for him, and he growls when his tongue touches mine. He pulls me closer and kisses me desperately. His lips leave mine to kiss a line from my mouth to my shoulder. When he gets to the side of my neck, I tilt my head to give him access. He kisses there and even licks it, and I groan in the back of my throat. I know what he’s doing. He’s preparing me for the day when he marks me. I can’t wait for that to happen.

The thought hits me like a ton of bricks. I pull back and stare up at him. He pulls back instantly. “What’s wrong?” his words have a rasp to them, and his eyes are glowing with the presence of his wolf. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, never.” I know with so much certainty that Bryce would never hurt me; he’s not capable of it. I trust him more than I’ve ever trusted anybody in my entire life. A tear drips down my cheek, and he looks gutted.

“Ava, Baby, what is it?”

I shake my head and smile, trying to find the words. “I just,” I swallow and try to push the emotion from my voice. Another tear drips down my cheek. He catches it with his thumb, worry all over his face. I try again to get the words out, but my voice is too thick with emotion. “I’m just...really happy.”

He looks skeptical. “The tears on your face seem to say otherwise.”

I laugh and wipe my eyes. “I know. I’m sorry. I just...it just hit me.”

He rubs his thumb over my cheek. “What, Love?”

“That I trust you, more than anybody I ever have in my entire life.” I swallow. “And I want to be your mate.”

“Hate it to break it to you, Baby. You already are.”

I smile again. “I mean I want to be your mate for real; I want you to mark me.”

He goes still and studies my face. Even that gesture makes my heart sing with emotion because I know he really wants to mark me. And yet, he wants to make sure I’m okay with it. “Maybe we should wait until you’ve had time to think about it.”

I reach up and cradle his cheek. “I’m done thinking about it. I’ve made my choice. It’s you, Bryce. It always has been; it just took me a while to see it.”

His face looks pained. “Did you hear my conversation with Hunter?”

“What?”

“I told Hunter I was going to mark you for your safety. Did he tell you that?”

I smile. “No. I want to do this, Bryce. I’m ready to become fully yours.”

He stares into my eyes. “You know that once this is done, it can’t be undone, right? You will forever be my mate.”

“That’s what I’m counting on,” I tell him through a watery smile.

He closes his eyes, and I can feel the tension in his arms. When he opens them, his eyes are bright blue. “You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear those words from you.”

“Then what are you waiting for, Handsome. Do your worst.”

“I just want you to know that the mating process is really intense; it will probably lead to other things.”

“Other things?” I repeat with a smirk. My smile softens. “I want it all with you, Bryce. After this, in the eyes of your pack, we’re basically married, right?”

“It’s more than that. It goes deeper than marriage. Marriage vows can be broken; this can’t. Even in death, we will be together.”

“I know.” I reach up and cup his cheek. “Make me yours.”

He swims us to the edge of the pool. “Hang on.” He uses his strong arms to hoist us both over the side of the pool and then he’s carrying me inside. We’re in his room before I’ve even realized what’s happened. He’s quiet a moment.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“I just needed to put Cody on alert. You may need stitches afterward since you’re not a wolf, and I want him to be close by in case we need him.”

“Not too close by, right?”

He growls. “Yeah.” He kicks his door closed and lays me down on the bed. “Now where were we?”

I laugh because he’s so intense. I’m not laughing seconds later. In fact, I don’t laugh for a very long time.