Page 18 of Horned to be Wild (Harmony Glen #7)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

L ila stood frozen for a long moment, staring at the spot where Torin had disappeared into the woods. She understood what had made him run but that didn’t make it any easier. After what they’d shared, it felt like a betrayal.

Behind her, Jeremy continued his monologue, his voice grating against her nerves like sandpaper.

“Honestly, Lila, it’s been quite amusing watching you play house in this quaint little village, but we both know this was never meant to be permanent. Your real life is waiting for you back in the city.”

Something inside her snapped. The hurt from Torin’s retreat transformed into blazing outrage—not just at him, but at Jeremy’s casual dismissal of everything she’d started to build here. The world she’d created. The life she’d chosen.

She whirled around, her face angry enough to startle Jeremy into momentary silence.

“My ‘real life’?” Her voice vibrated with anger. “You think my ‘real life’ is following you back to a place where I was miserable? Where you spent years telling me my art wasn’t serious enough, wasn’t commercial enough, wasn’t what you thought it should be?”

Jeremy blinked, clearly taken aback by her reaction. “Lila, darling, I’m only thinking of your career?—”

“No.” She cut him off, stepping closer. “You’re thinking of what looks good for you. Having an artist girlfriend who fits neatly into your perfect little world. Well, I’m not that person anymore.”

She gestured around at her cottage, at the garden beginning to bloom under her care, at the woods where Torin had disappeared. The damage from the storm wasn’t visible from the front but it didn’t matter—she wasn’t going anywhere.

“This is my real life. These are real people. And that male you just dismissed without even a second glance? He saw more in my art after a single look than you did in two years.”

Jeremy’s expression hardened, his practiced charm falling away. “That… creature? Please, Lila. Don’t be ridiculous. What could a monster possibly understand about fine art?”

The contempt in his voice, the same dismissive tone he’d used when talking about her paintings, pushed her over the edge.

“One hell of a lot more than you do. I’m not going anywhere with you. Not now. Not ever.” Anger sharpened her voice to an icy blade. “My ‘real talent’ is right here, building the life I choose, with people who truly see me. Get out of my driveway, and don’t ever come back.”

Jeremy stared at her, his face a mixture of shock and anger. “You can’t possibly mean that?—”

“The lady told you to leave. Now go.”

The deep voice made them both jump. They’d been so intent on their argument, neither one of them had seen Torin reemerge from the woods. Her heart skipped a beat as he came to her side, glaring at Jeremy.

“You can’t tell me what to do,” Jeremy blustered.

Torin growled and took a step towards him and for the first time, Jeremy seemed to realize just how big and powerful Torin really was. He started retreating towards his car, but he kept talking.

“You’re making a mistake. This rustic fantasy will get old, and when it does?—”

“Get. Out.”

With one last, furious glare at her, Jeremy ducked into his car, slammed the door, and sped out of the driveway, kicking up gravel that scattered across her yard.

“Asshole,” she muttered under her breath, then turned to face Torin. “You came back. What changed your mind?”

“I realized I was an idiot.”

“Yes, you are. But what made you realize it?”

“I was so sure you would go with him,” he said softly. “But then I remembered that you told me you wouldn’t leave. You told me you… loved me.”

Her heart ached at the hint of uncertainty in his voice. But he had returned anyway.

“I realized I should have trusted you. So I came back.”

She shook her head, but she smiled at him.

“I’m very glad you did. No more running?” she added quietly.

"I promise. I can't promise I won't doubt myself, but I will never run from you again."

She stepped into his embrace, her arms winding around his neck. "Then I promise to keep reminding you that I chose this. That I chose you."

In choosing this new life, she had chosen what mattered most, and Torin, with his gruffness and his vulnerability, with his rough exterior and his hidden tenderness, was an integral part of that choice.

He sighed, his face burrowing into her hair, his big hands stroking her back.

"I should never have left you alone with that asshole."

She laughed. "I didn't need your help to handle Jeremy." Although Torin’s presence had probably speeded up his departure.

“I know,” he said quickly. “But I still should have been at your side. That’s what… partners do.”

She looked up at him, her breath catching at the tenderness in his eyes. “Partners?”

“If you still want me.”

“I do,” she said, her voice trembling. “I always did.”

He reached for her, pulling her close, and she buried her face in his chest, breathing him in, reveling in the strength and warmth that enveloped her. For a moment they simply held each other, then he tilted her chin up so he could see her face.

“I love you,” he said softly.

Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes. She had been sure that he did, but she hadn’t realized until that moment how much she wanted to hear him say it.

“I know. But thank you for saying it.”

“It was… hard for me. But I intend to say it a lot more often.” His tail flicked nervously. “I’m not good at saying things, but I want you to know that I’m trying.”

“You can always show me instead,” she teased, and he immediately bent to kiss her, his mouth gentle, his lips soft against hers.

“Like that?” he murmured, lifting his mouth just far enough to speak.

“Mm-hmm. Just like that.”

She pulled his mouth back down to hers, kissing him more urgently, her tongue sweeping into his mouth and tangling with his.

His arms tightened around her as his tongue stroked hers, claiming her as she melted into him.

By the time she finally raised her head, they were both panting.

His cock pressed insistently against her stomach, and she wriggled against it, savoring his growl.

“This isn’t the place,” he said reluctantly, glancing at the road.

She leaned back and smiled up at him.

“Then let’s go back to the cabin.”

“I was going to check on the damage to your cottage.”

“It can wait. The cottage will still be here tomorrow.” As would she. “And the day after that.”

“Forever?” he whispered, his eyes searching hers.

“Forever.” she promised, and lifted her face to his.