She frowned, leaning back on the chair she'd been curled up in, hot mug of coffee in her hands. It seemed she was trying to sort through everything, to decide if he was someone she should be putting her trust in or not. Eventually, she sat forward once more, gaze meeting his. “So what do we do now? This is your world, not mine.”
Thian sighed, rubbing a tired had over his whiskered jaw. The only idea he'd had so far was one he wasn't ready to entertain just yet. He couldn't willingly put Adele in danger. What if he couldn't keep her from being taken? What if they'd changed the plan, and decided to simply silence her instead of taking her? He'd never forgive himself.
“Maybe it's safer if I go to the house, grab the shit outta the safe, and you stay here. I know I said we'd go get it and you wanted to grab some things, but the place is so exposed. If they've got people in the tree line, we wouldn't see them. It'd be an easy shot, we'd be down before we even realized what was happening. I couldn't protect you.”
He'd scent them before the two of them got too far onto the property, so he'd already be aware if they were there, but he couldn't tell her that. Besides, knowing they were there wouldn't help if they decided to simply shoot them and be rid of the problem quickly. By the time he'd gotten onto the property enough to be aware of their presence, they'd already be well within range. It was a shitty situation all around.
“I have to put my father's affairs in order and grab my mother's things, Thian. I owe that much. After that, they can burn the place down for all I care. I understand the risks.”
Did she, though? He really didn't think she could comprehend that she could die. She didn't seem to be taking this seriously enough, in his opinion. Whatever she needed to get that had belonged to her mother surely wasn't worth her life. If she wasn't there, someone else could surely find the paperwork for the Mayor's life insurance and whatever else they needed. She didn't need to put herself in harm's way.
She moved to sit next to him, her fingers hesitantly reaching out to curl around his. As he stared at their intertwined hands, marveling at the softness of her skin against his, it took him a moment to realize she'd spoken.
“I'm 28 years old, Thian. I've lived with my parents most of my life. I've never had a real job, I've always worked for mommy and daddy. I've got one major relationship in my past, and it basically ruined me. Both of my parents are now gone. I have no close friends, not really. I never made connections like other people, because I always had to worry about their motivations... if they were using me for my money or my name. After this? I basically have to start over completely. When it comes out that my father was dirty, everyone will assume I am too. I will be kicked off of the charity boards I've dedicated myself to. Finding a new job will be hard. I understand the risks, but I need to finish this.”
How could such a stunning and selfless woman think so little of herself? It defied explanation. She'd dedicated her life to charity, to helping others. She'd given up her own life to take care of her parents, to work for them instead of going off on her own. He wanted to slaughter everyone in her life who'd ever made her feel like she was somehow 'less' than others, who'd made her feel ashamed to be who and what she was.
At that moment, he would have given everything he had, any of his meager possessions, to fix the wrongs and give her a life where she'd been happy and content, where she'd never been hurt the way she had. A life where she could be proud of herself and the things she'd done. If he had his way, after this was all over, he'd find out who the fuck this ex was and teach him a thing or two about courtesy.
Bringing their hands upward, he pressed his lips to the back of her hand gently, keeping his eyes on hers. As her lips parted, eyes darkening, his pulse sped up, the cat recognizing the signs of the effect on its mate. Warning bells rang in his head, but he couldn't force himself to care.
“I don't think you're ruined, Adele. Far from it. I think you're exquisite, and anyone who made you feel anything less is a goddamn fool.”
Chapter Three Hundred Ninety-Five
The kiss was unexpected, but not unwelcome. When she leaned closer, Thian had froze, staring at her for a long moment. If he gave in to this, there would be no going back. He knew it, both by the feeling of the cat clawing at his insides to claim her, and the emotions she'd stirred in him simply by being herself these past few days. She'd sank her nails in and beguiled the cat, and him, without even meaning to.
Unable to stop himself, he finally bridged the distance, their lips meeting for a ghost of a kiss before he returned, one hand moving into her hair to pull her closer to him. She seemed to melt into him willingly, hands curling around his shoulders as she shifted to move flush against him. The taste of her made his head swim, coffee blended with something sweet, seductive, and uniquely Adele.
It seemed to go on forever, neither wanting to pull away and break the connection. When they finally did, her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed. Without warning,
