Page 102 of Undeniably Corrupt

And as I wrap us both up in my bed, her wearing another one of my shirts, I vow that I’ll do that for her always. Whether she lets me or not.

My mind drifts back as I stare at her face.

I finished turning on the flashlights and lantern so we could see and pulled the bottle of brandy from my backpack. I didn’t want her drunk or even buzzed. Just relaxed. We’d talked about tonight a lot, my mind dizzy with it, but I wasn’t going to rush anything. Not with her. And she was nervous.

“Where’d you get that?” she asked softly, her face glowing in shadows from the obscure lights we had set up in the old mattress warehouse.

“My parents’ liquor cabinet.” My eyebrows bounced, and I flashed a wolfish grin. “It’s the good stuff.”

“Won’t they miss it?”

“Nah. They hardly ever drink it.” I uncorked it, the bottle making a smallpopas I freed it.

“I never got that. Why buy expensive booze if you’re not going to drink it?”

I shrugged. “I think it’s an old person thing.”

“Must be,” she agreed and started to worry her lip with her teeth. “I’ve never had it before. Is it strong?”

“Don’t worry, Angel. I’ll take care of you.”

I hoped she knew I meant that for more than just the few sips I was going to let her have. I hoped she knew I meant that about everything. Her heart. Her mind. Her body.

“Can I taste it?”

I brought the bottle over to her, and she took a dainty swig, coughing lightly as it went down. “It’s good.” She licked her lips.

“You like it?”

She smiled up at me, her eyes sparkling. “I like you.”

My heart thumped painfully in my chest. We’d been together a year, and I couldn’t get enough of her. Part of me was afraid that would always be the case. That I’d found my one at such a young age. I stared into her pretty eyes and said, “I more than like you.” I swallowed, nerves hitting me hard, but she needed to know. I cupped her face and held her close to me. “Actually, I’m in love with you.”

A smile like I’d never seen on her lit her face, and she kissed me, whispering the sweetest words I’d ever heard into my lips. “I love you too.”

I blink, coming back to the woman in my arms. Coming back from the past to the present, shocked that I get this with her. This second chance. The one I’ll fight for and die for. And like that night, I need to tell her.

Just as she falls asleep, her breaths evening out, I whisper, “I more than like you. Actually, I’m in love with you.”

30

Vander’s arm is heavy across my stomach, possessive even here as we’re in his bed. We showered, and once again he washed me and massaged me and put me in one of his shirts. I fell asleep almost immediately, but I’m not sure Vander ever sleeps. His fingers are tickling my skin, and I can feel his mind working.

“What time is it?” I murmur.

“It’s late. Or early. Around three.”

Christ. When we finally climbed into bed, it was only ten. “Have you slept?”

“No. I will later.”

“You’re going to burn out.”

“I haven’t yet.”

I frown at that.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.”