The blob looked the exact same. I wasn’t sure what I was even looking at.
I grabbed Seth’s tablet, and sketched something. I wasn’t great, but I only wanted stars on the inside of his band, so it didn’t take much skill. Then I simply went to the dispenser and ordered a gold ring the size of his left ring finger.
With a quick goodbye, I went back to our apartment, the ring burning a hole in my pocket. Don might deserve better, but he wanted me. We were going to be together, no matter how guilty I felt about it.
Chapter 44
What are you saying?
I was sitting on my and Vince’s bed, trying to read the reports Kalvoxrencol had sent, but I couldn’t pay attention. Vince had shredded my focus. He was still injured. Klars had incorrectly estimated the amount of time it would take for Vince to recuperate, and it gutted me he remained in pain. I’d promised him that no one would ever touch him without his express permission and someone had. As much as Vince might say it wasn’t my fault, it was.
My eyes locked onto the metal container that was full of Vince’s stuff. He hadn’t added anything to it, as far as I knew, since we’d been injured. I wanted to dump it on the floor and demand he stay, and yet, part of me wondered if it was best hewas going home. By his own admission, Vince thought he would be happier on Earth than here with me.
The main door opened, and I looked toward the bedroom door, waiting. Vince appeared a moment later, and something inside of me relaxed. I almost wanted to laugh. I was contemplating sending him home, not that it was my choice, but I couldn’t stand the thought of him being away from me.
Vince pressed a kiss to my forehead, and I breathed him in. “You’re back.”
“I told you I would be,” Vince said.
He headed toward his crate, and my stomach clenched. Vince’s thoughts were peaceful, if not a tad excited. Did he want to leave that badly? He reached into the crate and grabbed a folded shirt and set it on the floor. I frowned. Vince kept pulling clothes out, then when the stack began to teeter, he stood and disappeared into the closet.
My soul pounded. Vince was unpacking. “My Vince?”
“Hmm.”
“What are you doing?”
Vince looked at me like I was ridiculous; his thoughts echoed his confusion. “Unpacking. I have been. For days.”
“What?” My voice broke.
“Unpacking. It’s not revolutionary. I'm putting my things back where they used to be.”
Soul thrashing, I couldn’t get a single word out.
He moved toward me, cupping my cheek. I leaned into his touch, rubbing on his palm. Vince asked, “You didn’t notice?”
“No.”
Carefully, he climbed onto my lap, and I hooked my arms around his waist, pleased when there wasn’t even a tinge of fear within his mind. He pushed his hand into my hair, and I groaned. Every touch was amazing, and I would never tire of it or take the show of trust for granted.
“I’m staying,” Vince said, swallowing. “I’m staying with you.”
My soul stopped in my chest before it sped up so fast I could feel my pulse throbbing in my neck. “You are?”
“Yes,” he said. While his voice was happy, his thoughts were nervous. Did he actually want to stay or had one of my brothers said something to him?
“My Vince, why are you scared?”
He frowned, then chuckled. “I should know better than to hide from you. I'm worried you’ll say no. I’d understand if you did. I’m… complicated, and being with me will be burdensome. But…” He lifted and lowered his shoulders. “I love you, and I’m selfish.”
Joy so fierce it stole my thoughts and breath consumed me. I pressed my lips against his, claiming him. Vince moaned, fingers buried in my hair. My tongue slipped into the wet warmth of his mouth and fucked him. My Vince. He was mine—now and forever.
Eventually thoughts began to break through the strength of my emotions. Vince thought he was a burden. Vince had doubts about staying rattling through him. Did he actually want this?
I pulled back, pressing my forehead against his, panting. “Vince.” I didn’t want to say anything to make him change his mind, but I had to. He was more important than me, as was his happiness. “Vince, do you think you’ll be happier with me?”
He leaned back. “What do you mean?”
