Page 126 of Killer Confections

Because I nearly went fucking insane when she called me earlier. Rowan was the only person who could talk some sense into me. All I could focus on was getting to her. Nothing else mattered.

She moves again, leaning away from me as she talks to Alana. I absently squish her into my side, afraid that if she goes too far, she’ll disappear again. I can’t stop touching her and I really don’t care about controlling myself right now. I need the reminder that she’s here, and she’ssafe.

My wife seems to pick up on that as she keeps talking, but leans back against me, letting me hold her close. Her minty scent wraps around me, and I feel it.

Home.

I’m home with her in my arms.

All my life, I’ve wanted something I never thought I could have. I’ve wanted stability and a love only she could provide. The warmth of her smiles and her poor jokes. Hercompany, her dreams, her worries. I’ve wanted it all for a long time.

And now that I finally have it, I feelwhole. That broken boy inside of me who met the cute girl in the hallway is slowly healing under her touch, and we get a lifetime of this.

My heart swells with love and gratitude as I bury my lips in her hair and just soak her in. Her hand comes around and strokes across my jaw and my eyes roll as she scratches my scruff.

Fuck. I love her so much ithurts.

Movement out of my peripheral catches my eye and I see Rowan sitting alone at a table. His beer is untouched, the condensation from the bottle soaking the table’s top. He thrums his fingers, checking his watch for the hundredth time before his eyes trail to Loxley.

I see it again.

A flash of guilt in them.

When he notices me staring, he stiffens before turning away and rubbing a hand across his mouth.

What the fuck has gotten into him?

I know he’s hiding something, but finding it out is harder than trying to open Pandora's box. He’s locked up tight, and I only worry his secret is something thatneedsto be discovered.

Loxley’s phone rings, and she fishes it out of her pocket before sitting up quickly. “It’s Addie’s mom. I need to take this.”

I tilt my head towards the doors that lead to the patio. “Go ahead, baby.” The words feel like sand leaving my mouth, but I know I can’t stop her from speaking with her best friend’s mom. She needs to.

She gives me a quick peck on the lips before excusing herself and stepping outside.

I lift my beer, only to stop when Rowan walks over to the table.

“Hey, Row,” Connor greets. “You okay? You look like you’re gonna be sick.”

He looks off-kilter. Like something is eating him the fuck alive as he crosses his arms over his chest and pins Thalia and I with a look. “I need to show you something.”

I lift a brow. “If you show me your dick, I’m punching you in it.”

Thalia snorts.

Rowan’s jaw ticks. “Come with me.”

My sister and I share a look before shrugging and I slide off my stool. “Let me grab the wife—”

“No,” Rowan says. “Just you and Thalia. It won’t take long.”

I scowl at him. “Okay, you fucking weirdo.”

We follow him out to the patio, and I let Loxley know I’ll be right back. She waves to me before returning to the conversation she’s having with Addison’s mom.

Thalia walks beside me as we follow Rowan across the compound. She bumps my side with an elbow.

“Where do you think he’s taking us?” She asks.