Page 109 of While He Breathes

“But I couldn’t escape on my own.”

I shake my head. “No. But you fought until we could get to you. You didn’t give up, even when everything seemed so bleak. You survived even when I’m sure you didn’t want to.”

Her bottom lip wobbles, and she blinks past the tears that gather in her eyes. “I want to look for a house together.”

My brows rise, but I nod immediately. “Where are you thinking?”

“We’d have to stay close to the city?”

“Not necessarily. Killian can manage stuff day to day, and then I can commute in and out of the city when needed.”

She nibbles at her bottom lip, excitement appearing in her eyes. “I’ve always wanted a cabin in the woods.”

I laugh and bury my face in her throat. “Then you’ll be getting yourself a cabin in the woods, Little Flame.”

“Is this what the rest of our lives looks like? I mention there’s something I want and suddenly I get it? You’re going to spoil me.”

“Good. You deserve to be spoiled. And hell, I have to do something to make me good enough for you.”

She opens her mouth to argue, but instead, I press my lips to hers, devouring her for just a moment, long enough to satiate the ravenous part of me.

When I finally drag myself away, she leans forward and rests her forehead against mine.

“You’ve given me the only thing I’ve ever truly wanted, Orion. A home.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

EMBER

Orion takes care to wash every inch of my body with more softness than he should be capable of.

He’s one of the most ruthless men in the country—hell, maybe even the world—and yet, when it comes to me, his calloused hands could never cause me pain. At least no pain that I don’t revel in.

Once I’m dry and dressed in one of his shirts, he dresses himself, never straying more than a handful of feet from me.

Why do I have a feeling he’s about to be really fucking overbearing?

But I don’t mind.

I’m not sure when I’m going to feel safe enough to leave his side or if I ever will.

A few months ago, I would have thought that was toxic as fuck, but now it just feels right.

Orion drops into a crouch in front of me, and I spread my legs for him, immediately needing to feel him closer.

He rests his head on my chest, his arms winding around my waist as he holds me close, and I do the same. Clinging to him like he’s the air I need to breathe.

“I’ve never been so scared, Ember,” he murmurs. “I never want to feel like that again.”

“You won’t,” I reply, pressing a kiss to his damp hair. “You won’t let it.”

“You’re damn right.” He rumbles. “You’re going to get sick of all your new rules, but I need to know you’re safe. I don’t think my heart will survive a repeat of what happened this week.”

I laugh, gripping his shoulders tighter. “The sex is always hot when we argue, anyway.”

He huffs out a laugh and pulls back, staring up at me through long, dark lashes. “You’re my everything, Ember.”

“I know,” I whisper. I lean forward and press my lips to his, reminding us both that I’m here and I’m safe, exactly where I’m supposed to be.