Page 13

Chapter 13

Daff

If his words hadn’t convinced me he meant it, that kiss sure as hell did.

Even now, he held me like a lifeline, his chest shuddering beneath me, his cock, long and hard, pulsing between us.

Probably aching with the same frustration as my clit, and the emptiness within me begging to be filled.

I didn’t have a ton of experience in that department.

Two jobs and a dependant dad had kept those interactions brief and noncommittal.

But I knew enough to know this level of need, of aching desperation, wasn’t my normal.

“You sure you haven’t done that before?”

His fingers, still pressing into my scalp, slid free, the gentle tug raising goosebumps across my skin.

“Never expected to.”

He was gazing down at me with an intensity I felt in my bones.

“I’m here now.”

“Thank fuck.”

I huffed a laugh as I stepped back, instantly hating the separation, the immediate lack of his warmth.

It hadn’t even been a week, and I was in so freaking deep with him.

Where would we be another week from now?

Another month? Two years was a long time, but looking at him, wanting him, craving him as I did, I knew it’d pass in a heartbeat.

When my contract was up, I’d have to leave him.

The thought of it, of this, of us ending, pumped ice through my veins.

What would happen to him when I left?

Would he fall apart again?

Lose himself, wasting away until he died?

Or could I help him enough to be able to leave him whole?

He’d been that way once; surely, he could find his way there again.

We’d fight our way there together, then I’d step back.

Further and further, until he was completely fine and didn’t need me anymore.

I wanted that for him.

So freaking fiercely my chest hurt.

I’d leave him whole while my heart slowly shattered, piece by piece, with every step backwards, widening the distance between us until he could function without me.

Until my contract was up, and they flew me out of here, leaving him behind.

He was so damn right when he said I was his.

I’d never been anyone’s before.

Never wanted to be. Too much time, too much energy.

But I’d never felt this way about anyone before, either.

The need to comfort.

The need to protect.

Which was laughable, considering what he’d been created for.

And yet, I’d never felt safer.

I had his back, and he had mine.

It wasn’t something I was familiar with.

Dad loved me, loved all of his kids, but we took care of him.

And Mum? Mum did until she didn’t.

I needed to make sure he’d be fine without me.

That I wouldn’t leave him aching and lonely when I left.

Not doubting his self-worth or his ability to be loved and accepted.

Not doubting his humanity or his right to exist in the world he was forced into.

I’d leave him happy and whole, with his brothers by his side.

Even if it meant I’d leave broken, my heart and body forever haunted by his memory.

“You okay, Angel?”

“Yeah, big guy. I’m good.”

“Promise?”

I swallowed against the thickening in my throat, the slight burn in my nose, the moisture at the edges of my eyes.

“Promise.”

Because I was.

And I would be.

I’d just have to figure out a way to be, once he was no longer mine.