I slid my handsinside his torn costume, running my fingers over his hard chest,intent on memorizing every scar and ridge to lick later, if he letme. “It does, but not in a bad way.”
“Good girl,” Macemurmured, returning my kiss in a show of dominance and possessionthat left me a whimpering hot mess in the warm comfort of hisembrace. “Happy Halloween, little bat.”
Rafe snorted behindus, but I knew he was happy with the arrangement, otherwise, hewouldn’t have given Mace my collar. His footfalls moved away,leaving us with some small privacy in the corner of the crowdedclub.
Mace growled softlyas his hand drifted beneath my skirt to cup my already achingpussy. A small whimper broke from my lips as I arched into him,willing him to just hold me but ready to do whatever he wanted.
“Not tonight, Enota.Soon.” His liquid promise filled my veins as his hand closed aroundme possessively.
“Soon,” I whispered.Smiling against my new Sir’s lips, I rubbed my body over his hardcock, purely to tease us both.
Laughing softly,Mace traced his fingers over the little lock he’d added to mycollar in his own personal touch to our agreement and gave a littletug, his silent promise of dark delights to come.
Epilogue
Mace
The doorbell rang,followed by a sharp knock.Impatient much, little bat?Unable to keep my stupid-ass grin to myself, I placed my beer glasson the kitchen counter, swapping it for the little box I’d left onthe benchtop. I shoved it into my back pocket and crossed theliving area in a few steps to pull the door open.
Enota stood on theother side, dressed in her favorite green leather jacket andsee-through black lace dress beneath, whitened knuckles grippingthe strap of a worn satchel she’d strung across her chest. “Hi,”she whispered.
Uncertainty crossedher fine features as she stared me full in the face. Wavy tendrilsbrushed her high cheekbones in a heart-shaped face that left herlooking like a doll. I wanted nothing more than to curl my fingersaround the back of her neck and slam my mouth down on her prettylittle pink lips. Long, curled lashes framed wide eyes that gavethe impression she was in shock.
Maybe because it wasthe truth.
“Hey,” I murmured,holding out my hand, and tried not to grab her and wrench her intomy house, take us both to the floor and fuck her in the next fewmoments. “How did it go?” The façade of normality strained me, likeeverything with her, testing my control to its limits.
My control wasshit.
She shivered undermy gaze, winding both hands around the strap she clutched. My heartleaped in my chest at the sight of her.
Mine.
“It went okay. I—Igave the key back.” Enota placed her cool hand in mine. Tinytremors worked their way from her fingers to the tips.
My heart thumped tooloud in my chest. “How does it feel?”
“To be homeless fora walk across the city? Well, part of it,” she corrected herself.“It seems … odd. I’ve never lived with anyone else before. Notsince I was a kid.”
This last came outin a whisper. I drew her gently into my arms, holding her to mychest without caging her in. “You’re safe here, little bat.” Ipressed a kiss to the top of her head. “We’ve been living togetherfor the better part of a month now.”
All her things werealready in my apartment. We’d cluttered a few rooms and doubleddown on some of the furniture, but it didn’t matter. If she neededthe reminder she was stillher, then I’d do whatever it tookto make her comfortable in our place.
Ours.Thatdidn’t sound weird at all.
“I know. But nowit’s more real.” She wrapped her arms around my waist, burying herface there for a long moment and breathing. When she drew back, herlittle beast rose to her cheeks, pulsing alongside her emotions shewore so vividly. “I’m scared.”
“You don’t need tobe.” I caressed her cheeks, and her beast followed the touch,sinking back to wherever it resided deep inside her. “Enota, I’lldo anything you need. Just tell me.”
What are you afraidof?
I thought I knew,but I didn't want to speak over her.
“I’m scared that ifyou don’t want me one day, I’ll have nowhere to go.”
I crushed her bodyto mine, being gentle be damned. “Gods, girl. I’m not letting yougo. The last few weeks have been utter heaven, waking next to youevery morning, having you fall asleep on my chest every night.”
“I like those thingstoo.” She seemed to consider it. “Except the nights you fight.”
