She smiles at him while laughing at something he has said, and a few others walk over to join them in the casual conversation that has sparked.
“I can see that. No one seems afraid of him at all. I suppose I’ve been too harsh in my rulings here, and I never even felt the whip as fiercely as you.”
“It’s easy to overlook the good ones when you’ve suffered at the hands of the others. It takes some adjusting, but you learn not all full bloods are bad, just as not all hybrids are good. It’s a process, and it’s not an exact science.”
“No hybrid is good in comparison to you,” he says adoringly.
Hale smiles as he kisses my forehead, and then he replies, “As I said earlier, she’s amazing.”
“You’re a lucky man, Hale Banner.”
“I am indeed. I don’t know what would happen if I ever lost her,” he utters too seriously, and I turn back to see the tears that have entered his eyes. “I keep getting too close to finding out.”
“I’m fine, Hale. I’m fine. Look, my body is healed. I could seriously use a shower though. Along with some toothpaste, a hairbrush, and so much more.”
He lets a laugh escape while sniffling back his emotion, and his lips stroll across my forehead again before pulling me toward the room he proposed to me in. I smile as the memories of rose petals littering the cool floor flash into my head, and he smiles when he sees my reminiscent mind at work.
“No roses tonight, baby. I didn’t have time to prepare.”
I blush lightly, and then I lean into him before saying, “All I need is you tonight.”
I feel his incredible smile behind the kiss he greedily pushes on me, and I mimic the goofy grin.
“How do you feel?” he murmurs against my lips while opening the door behind me.
“My thirst has been fully quenched, I’ve been fully nourished, now I just need to be fully sated,” I playfully seduce, and he lets a chuckle free while shaking his head.
“There’s my girl,” he snickers out.
Someone knocks at the door, and Hale releases me to answer it while I gaze around the room that holds a beautiful memory. The white bed prominently stands out in the bedroom that has the double doors opening wide. The living area is pristinely organized with lavish touches all around.
I flop down on the couch for a moment’s reprieve, and my eyes fall on the soft face of an elderly woman handing Hale a set of bags.
“Garth said you would need clothes,” her scratchy voice eases out with a soft touch.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Hale sincerely offers.
“I feel as though I’m in the presence of royalty. It’s not everyday we get to spend time with an emergent child bearing the violet promise of change. She’s special, you take care of her,” the woman sweetly chirps, and then she scampers off back down the hall.
“I plan to,” Hale says to himself while staring directly into my eyes.
“I know you do,” I smolder out, and he smirks as he walks over to me with a blistering hot strut.
“I’m going to take care of both of you,” he utters while leaning over to kiss my belly.
I smile with tears teetering on the edge of my lids as he rises up to find my lips again.
“Starting with a shower for my bride and mother to be.”
I smile as he pulls me from the couch, and then he escorts me to the bathroom to turn the shower on. I hear the hot water pounding against the tile, and I lean against him as he starts undoing the dress from hell.
“Well, I suppose you’ll need a new wedding dress.”
“No. I’m getting married in pants and a shirt next time. It’s easier to fight in them,” I grumble with humorous intentions, but he flinches instead of laughing.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, baby. I should have-”
I cover his rambling, guilt-ridden lips with my hand to silence him from blaming himself.
