Page 49

A flash of lightning briefly illuminated my bedroom window. I was barely aware that my phone was still in my hand after reading myself to sleep. My thoughts were so focused on my future that I must have read the same page a thousand times before giving up.

When I rolled over to set my phone on the nightstand, I bumped into someone. My heart lurched, and a scream tore out of me as I pounded them in the head with my phone.

“Ow! Stop, it’s me!” Lucian complained.

After a few gasping breaths, I reached across him and switched on the light. It wasn’t a dream. Lucian Cross was lying next to me in a black T-shirt that smelled like rain.

Still panting, I set my phone on the table and sat up. “How did you get in?”

He rubbed his forehead. “I still have the spare key.”

“But my alarm didn’t go off.”

“I disabled it when I pulled up. I figured you were sleeping and didn’t want to freak you out.”

“Well, I’m freaked out. You’re lying in my bed when I told you we couldn’t be together. It’s not safe. Henry could’ve seen you. He might be on the property.”

“He’s not on your property or anywhere near it.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I was at his house.” Lucian sat up and scooted so his back was against the headboard. His unkempt hair glistened with rain. He looked me over and tilted his head to the side. “You’re so pretty.”

I reached up and removed my bonnet, releasing my brown curls as they spilled past my shoulders. I patted down my hair, suddenly self-conscious in a way I’d never been around Lucian. “I’m a mess.”

“You’re perfect.”

“Did I hurt you?” I touched the red mark on his forehead.

“Do you normally sleep with your phone?”

“I was reading. How long have you been here?”

“Two hours, give or take. I spent an hour cleaning your baseboards.”

I blinked in surprise. “Why?”

“Because they were dirty.”

“No, I mean why are you here? We said our goodbyes, Lucian. We can’t risk a secret affair—not anymore.”

“Come, female. Lay with me.”

Before snuggling, I lifted the ends of his shirt and helped him out of it. Then I scooted against him, his natural scent like home. “This is the last time.”

“Maybe.”

Now that the sleepiness was finally fading like twinkling stars succumbing to the break of dawn, my thoughts strung together in a more cohesive way, and I realized what he had just told me. “Why were you at Henry’s house? You promised me.”

“And I’ve kept my promise.”

“Then why did you go there?”

“To challenge him.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“I thought about doing it, but when you told me you would’ve let me court you if Hightower wasn’t in the picture—that motivated me.”

“You challenged him to the…” I didn’t want to say it out loud.

“To the death. I gave him the option to break it off with you, but he refused.” Lucian stroked my hair. “See? I promised you I’d figure this out.”

“And dying for me is a solution?” I sat up and searched his eyes, wondering if he’d finally lost his mind.

Lucian ran his fingers through his damp hair, the black strands falling in every direction.

“Are you trying to jinx me? It’s bad luck to talk like that before a challenge.

He’s got power over you, and I’m going to break that power.

” Lucian slid his hand behind my neck and softly stroked my nape.

“Do you think he’s willing to die for you? ”

“I doubt it.”

“Me too. That’s why he hasn’t accepted the challenge yet, but he has no choice but to give me an answer. I have witnesses. Hightower has to fight me, and the only way out is to leave you.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

Lucian’s hand brushed over my shoulder, calming my nerves. “Then he’ll die.”

As much as I hated this situation, I was swept off my feet that Lucian was willing to fight for me.

His plan might actually work. Henry would never put his life on the line for a woman, and now that Lucian’s challenge was public, it stripped some of that power Henry had over me.

If he ever targeted Lucian or anyone else in my life, he would be the first suspect with a motive.

Lucian flicked his eyes to the window when thunder rumbled like a boulder rolling down a mountain. “We only have a short time before dawn.”

I kissed him softly on the mouth. “I wish you would’ve told me what you were planning, but I’m not mad about it. Now I know.”

“Know what?”

I traced my finger over his lips. “That you’re my protector. I was lying here all night, feeling sorry for myself. Imagining you having dinner with your pack, thankful for a fresh start. But here you are, risking everything for me. Your freedom, your reputation, your life.”

He switched off the light, plunging us into darkness. “Lie down. I want to spoon the hell out of you.”

I slid down and turned on my right side.

Lucian scooted up behind me and warmed my back with his body.

As he wrapped his arm around me and held me tight, a future with him flashed into my mind—one filled with laughter, conversation, and happiness.

Then I caught an image of his grave with Henry standing beside me. I hugged his arm even tighter.

“What troubles you, female?”

“How do you see us together? I mean, how do I fit in your life?”

“The same way you fit in my arms. Your elbows are a little bony, and I can’t get my knees where I want them, but we make it work.”

“My elbows are not bony!”

He snuggled tighter and kissed my ear. “We’ll make this work.”

“What about kids? Have you thought about that? I’m a Shifter, you’re not, so we might never conceive.”

“If you want kids, we’ll adopt them.”

“Do you want kids?”

Lucian rose up on his elbow and looked down at me in the darkness. While I could only see him between flashes of lightning, I knew he could see me perfectly with his Chitah vision.

“I don’t know,” he admitted.

“Me either. My mother left me. I’m afraid I’d do the same.”

“I doubt it.”

I turned onto my back. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because you know what that pain feels like.”

I sighed and listened to the rain tapping against the window.

“I haven’t felt the desire to have children.

Some people can’t imagine a life without them, but I’ve never given kids a second thought.

If you feel strongly about it, you need to take that into consideration.

I won’t be forced into motherhood if it’s not something I want, so we need to have this conversation now.

If, deep down, you want them, you need a mate who’s more certain. ”

Lucian stroked my cheek with his thumb. “I’m not certain any more than you are. I’ve never had the desire either. If we did have any, their gifts would probably be canceled out. I know what it’s like to be treated differently. How could I do that to a child?”

“Did you ever ask your mother that? I’m sure she told you that your life isn’t any less valuable than anyone else’s.”

He gave a thoughtful sigh. “I wouldn’t be against kids, but I’d be a disappointment to them.”

“You would not.” I gripped his hand.

“I’m okay with helping raise the kids in the pack. But if your father wants you to mate, he’s probably hoping for grandkids.”

“Well, that’s one thing he doesn’t get any say over. Are you sure this is what you want? You just got out of jail, and most people aren’t thinking rationally on their first day out. After a good night’s rest, you might feel different in the morning.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of this?”

“Maybe I care about your life.”

“Without you, it means nothing. I can be the male you need, but it’ll take time.”

I frowned. “Time for what?”

“To change my career. To make enough money and figure out how to be more social and likable.”

A laugh bubbled out of my throat. “If you want to do something else with your life, that’s your choice. But don’t you dare change your personality. I love the quiet man who growls whenever I capture one of his checker pieces. And your bank account doesn’t interest me.”

“Good. Then I’ll just be a bum.”

I laughed and lightly scratched his nape. “If you win this battle, you have to promise never to leave me.”

“Why would I leave you?”

Pain lanced through my heart. What if his kindred spirit left her mate one day and decided to give Lucian a second chance? “Because someone else might come along—someone you’ll want more.”

“Are you kidding me right now?” He rolled on top of me, his hips nestled against mine.

I felt a reminder of his unwavering desire.

“If anyone in this scenario has something to worry about, it’s me.

What if some tall, dark, and handsome tiger prances into town in an Armani suit, and you instantly regret settling for a Chitah? ”

“Prances?” I laughed quietly while tracing my finger over his Adam’s apple.

“Lucian, I’ve met all kinds of men. Handsome, wealthy socialites.

Even that wasn’t enough for me to choose a partner.

Henry’s more powerful than Deacon, but the only reason I might have settled for Deacon is that he had a pack.

Living in a family unit isn’t something I’ve ever done, and being around your pack is so easy.

I can imagine a life in a busy home. But you’re the only man my heart has ever belonged to.

We’re dissimilar, but we also have a lot in common.

Maybe we balance each other out because we’re on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Don’t you feel that?”

He pressed his forehead to mine. “Yeah, I feel that.”

“The only thing that scares me is how smart you are.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your plan with Henry might work, but if it doesn’t, it could cost you everything.”

He raised his head. Lightning flickered like a dying light bulb and revealed his hardened gaze. “You said you would’ve considered Deacon. After I take care of Henry, do I need to fight Deacon to the death too?”

I cupped his face in my hands. “You don’t have to challenge him, baby. I turned him down.”

Lucian reached across the bed and grabbed something. “Here, put your hat back on.”

I smiled. “It’s fine. I’ll just have messy hair in the morning.”

When he flipped the light back on, he had put my bonnet on his own head. “Fine. Then I’ll wear it.”

I attacked him with kisses and turned him over so I was on top. “Look at my sexy man.”

The humor between us extinguished when he hitched up my nightgown and slapped my ass playfully.

I rocked my hips against his and moaned. My skin vibrated when my tiger pushed from beneath, but instead of staying down, she exploded onto the scene and roared.

“Oh shit!” Lucian froze while staring up at me, his eyes saucer-wide.

My three-hundred-pound tiger smothered him, her long fangs brushing against his face while she sniffed him.

Lucian’s nostrils flared as he drew in my scent, trying to figure out what was about to happen next. He showed no signs of flipping his switch, which was curious.

My animal growled as she breathed in his scent.

I could remember my shift for up to five minutes, so I cautiously let her investigate the man who had vowed to give his life for my heart.

If they didn’t get along, I wasn’t sure where this would lead.

He wasn’t a tiger, and he certainly wasn’t a Shifter.

His Adam’s apple bobbled upward as he swallowed hard and stroked my tiger’s face.

A contented growl settled in his throat. She understood his catlike behavior and yawned wide. After sniffing him, my tiger’s giant tongue bathed his hand and then licked his neck.

“Holy fuck! That hurts,” he said with a grimace.

My tiger chuffed happily while Lucian scratched her neck.

“Damn, you’re fucking gorgeous,” he said. “Are you still awake in there? Can you tell your kitty I’m not a snack?”

I forced her to recede and shifted back to human form, my clothes now ripped to pieces and lying off to the side. “I disagree.” I buried my face in his neck and bit down. “You’re pretty tasty to me.”

He gripped my ass. “I’m also turned on.”

I rocked my hips against his hard length until he hissed. “That’s no lie.”

“ Fuck. I want you to claim me.”

My kisses found his mouth, and the passion simmered until I finally got out of bed.

“Where are you going?” he asked, still wearing that silly bonnet on his head.

“To get rope.”