The green coursing through his veins battled with the joy over the fact that she was teasing him. But he didn’t like her thinking about other men.
Apparently, he was the jealous type.
He pulled her further into him.
Tight.
As her body hit his she let out an oomph sound, her eyes widening, and her mouth parted in shock.
“You’re mine, little bird.” He growled, that feeling in his chest hitting him straight on.
If he lived to be a hundred years old, he would never tire of it.
“I’m yours, Mark,” she whispered, her eyes spearing him.
He bent his head and gently kissed her.
Pulling back, he guided her to the cabin that they would be calling home for the foreseeable future.
The door was unlocked, but as they walked inside, he knew that Branson had gone way out of his way to try and make it comfortable. The small little cabin was not much more than just one room, but it was definitely set up to feel welcoming.
There was a small kitchen and dining room, with a small nook off to the side that served as the bedroom. The wood stairs curved around in a circle till it reached what looked to be a small loft. Under the loft there was a step down that opened up into a living room area with a stone fireplace. What really made it stand out though was the wall of windows that covered the back wall.
“Wow,” she murmured, and he let her go watching as she wandered around the area.
“I know it’s small, but I just need some time to figure everything out,” he said, the weight of everything pushing in on him.
Would he be enough, now that he didn’t have a home for her?
She paused, frowning over at him.
“I just want you, Mark,” she said.
“I know that Winter, baby. But every woman wants a home. Someplace to call their own,” he whispered with regret.
“I know,” she said with conviction, her head high, meeting his stare.
Then she gutted him.
“Everyone does. And you’re mine.” Then she turned toward the window again, looking out over the sea of trees that stretched out as far as the eye could see.
Fuck.
“You really don’t think you will go back?” she asked.
His gut clenched at the thought of never going back, of not being a part of the Mancini family. Of losing what he had thought was his family, but he had to make a stand somewhere.
“I don’t really want to talk about this right now, Winter,” he grumbled, his words coming out harsher than he intended, and he watched as her back straightened her head coming up.
“Just promise me that you will think about it before you make any big decisions.” she said after a few seconds, and he nodded, not really agreeing with her, but right then he would do anything to get her off the subject.
“I’ll go get the bags. You okay here?” She nodded as he turned.
“Mark?” Her words had him pausing to look at her.
“I love you.” His chin hit his chest, the emotion too strong as it washed over him.
He took a step towards her, kissing her on the forehead, letting his hands travel up her back and into her hair, till he had her pressed against him again.
