“What no gloating?” he muttered again.
There was no way that she was going to show it to him. She wasn’t going to risk him backing out.
“You need to understand, Winter.” He got up on his elbow and turned to her. “I will talk to him, and I will try, but I will not yield when it comes to you or your safety.”
Her hopes plummeted, crashing around her, as she tried to keep her tears at bay, knowing exactly what he was missing out on.
What he was giving up for her.
“Mark …”
“No, look at me.” He pressed a finger under her chin bringing her gaze back to him, to the emotion that was searing her from the inside out.
Forging her broken pieces back together.
Taking her under and holding her captive.
“I will not yield when it comes to you. Not in any way.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Mark.”
“And I’m making sure of that. Yes, he is my family, but you are my life.”
Her heart stuttered in her chest, beating a rhythm that was meant just for him. A beat that only he could hear. Only he could heal.
“I love you,” she said reaching up to cradle his cheek. Her eyes caught in his gaze, till he leaned his head forward and rested it against hers, his fingers slipping around her neck to hold her steady against him.
“When I was little everybody would always make fun of me for being in foster care. For being alone. At the time it was horrible, but as I started to grow up I realized that it was okay. It was okay that I didn’t feel like I was part of the family. It was okay that they made fun of me, ’cause there was one person out there that was made just for me. That would understand me. But deep down I never thought I would be lucky enough to find her.” His head came up, his thumb wiping at the tears streaming down her face, and she closed her eyes at the touch.
So warm.
Healing.
She opened her eyes to see him again.
Her Mark.
“It’s you, little bird. You’re who I’ve been waiting for.”
“I love you Mark.”
He didn’t answer her.
Just leaned forward taking her lips with his, his hand cupping her head holding her in place for the onslaught of desire that he always caused within her.
Overwhelming.
Wonderful.
Everything.
His nose traced her jawline to her ear.
“I love you too, little bird.” He pulled back to look at her.
He wasn’t frowning, but his face looked tired. The lines of stress making her heart hurt.
She couldn’t do anything about Branson’s cabin.
