Chapter 6
SIX
Taylor
My throat feels better, but I still spend the day typing everything. I’m getting used to it. It’s been helpful having to pause and think about my answer before I put it into words.
I’ve spent the whole day trying to wrangle my feelings, but I’m so excited about seeing my sister. I’m glad they know where she is, but I’m also anxious about something happening to her or anyone else tonight.
I’m trying to be hopeful, though. They’ll sneak in and get her the same way they did for me. Then they’ll bring her here, and we’ll be able to talk about all of this. She’ll help me figure out what to do about my feelings for Reyes.
He’s a whole other can of worms. Part of me wants to give in to him.
I want the love he describes. It’s so clear to him, but it’s harder for me to trust that it’s real.
I’ve spent my life seeing relationships fracture and break.
My mom had terrible taste in men, and I was always afraid I would inherit that from her.
That’s part of the reason I never dated.
Now, I have this hot man who seems to get pleasure from doing something simple for me, like making me a cup of tea. He watches my every move, learning what I like and hate so he can give me exactly what I want.
It’s addicting as hell.
He’s love-bombing you, my snarky subconscious warns.
I chew on my bottom lip. Maybe he is. I mean, he’s spent all day taking care of me.
He’s rubbed my back and my feet, brought me an extra pillow, and I’m pretty sure he was standing guard outside the bathroom earlier while I was taking a shower.
He’s basically waited on me hand and foot.
I’m not used to it, but I’m starting to love it.
He makes me feel like a princess, like I’m the center of his whole universe. That’s making me fall for him. It feels impossible not to. But is it because we’re soulmates or fated mates? Or is this some kind of trap?
I hate thinking that about Reyes. He’s been nothing but sweet and wonderful to me. I want to trust him; I do, but there’s this little sliver of doubt inside me, warning me to protect myself and not to lose my head.
It’s not my head I’m worried about. It’s my heart.
“What are you thinking about?”
Reyes’s question jolts me from my thoughts, and I realize I’ve been staring blankly at the TV screen.
Landry. I can’t wait to see her.
He smiles softly. “A few more hours, and she’ll be safe, but we need to wait until nightfall.”
You promise you’ll be safe?
“Of course. Don’t worry about me. How are you feeling? How’s your throat? Do you want some medicine?”
It’s okay. A little sore.
“Medicine? Or I can make you something to eat? There’s still some soup left from dinner I could heat up for you. Or maybe a popsicle would help?”
I nod, and he’s instantly on his feet. He comes back with a strawberry popsicle, my favorite. I take it, smiling my thanks, and bite off the tip. The cool liquid soothes the sting in my throat, and I sigh.
“Do you want more soup?”
I shake my head and turn to look out the front window. The sun is setting. Reyes will leave soon. He’s explained the plan to me, and I know he’ll be safe. His friends will be there, but I’m still worried. So many things could go wrong. I don’t know what I’ll do if Reyes or Landry is hurt.
As if he can read my mind, he sits down next to me on the couch, pulls me onto his lap, and tucks me against him. “I promise I’ll come home to you in one piece. And I’ll get Landry home safe. Please don’t worry, mate. I hate seeing you look anything but happy.”
I try to smile as he rests his forehead against mine. I breathe him in, and he laughs when I tap my popsicle against his lips. He opens his mouth, and I watch as he takes a bite of the treat.
My breath stalls in my lungs as he licks his lips. He meets my gaze, his eyes dark and filled with heat. I can see his need for me, can feel it where his erection presses against my side, and in the way his arms tighten around me.
I’m not sure which one of us moves first, but in the next heartbeat, our lips are pressed together. My eyelids flutter closed, and I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him like it could be our last.
Reyes groans softly against my mouth, the sound rough and needy, making my entire body shiver. One of his hands slides up my back, spreading wide between my shoulder blades as he pulls me impossibly closer, like he can’t stand even an inch between us.
His lips move slowly against mine at first, almost careful, like he’s trying not to overwhelm me, but when I kiss him back harder, something inside him snaps.
The kiss deepens instantly.
Heat rushes through me as his tongue brushes mine, and I whimper softly into his mouth. Reyes growls low in his throat, tightening his grip on my waist.
“Mate,” he breathes against my lips, as if the word is torn out of him.
My heart pounds wildly. I’ve never been kissed before. I’d imagined it sometimes, usually late at night when I let myself fantasize about impossible things, but nothing could have prepared me for this. For him. For the way Reyes kisses me like I’m precious, like he’s starving for me.
His hand slides into my hair, tilting my head back so he can kiss me deeper, slower, more thoroughly. Every brush of his mouth against mine leaves me dizzy and aching for more. I melt against him completely.
He tastes faintly of coffee and the strawberry popsicle we shared. I swear I could kiss this man forever.
My fingers tighten in his shirt as another soft sound escapes me, and Reyes shudders beneath my touch.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he rasps.
His nose brushes mine as he pulls back enough for us to breathe.
He rests his forehead against mine, and I can feel how hard he’s trying to control himself.
His chest rises and falls heavily. Gray eyes lock onto mine, burning with emotion so intense it nearly steals my breath. My cheeks heat instantly.
No one has ever looked at me the way Reyes does. Like I’m everything, like I hung the moon.
“It’s time for me to go,” he rasps against my lips.
I nod, blinking back tears.
“Do you want me to carry you upstairs?”
I shake my head, and he sets me down on the couch, arranging a blanket over me. We stare at each other for a beat. Then he leans down and kisses my forehead softly.
“I’ll be back before you know it, mate,” he whispers.
I lick my lips, tasting him there, and pull him down for one more kiss.
“Be safe,” I whisper against his mouth.
“Anything for you, Taylor.”
He stands to leave, taking one last look at me. “You have my number. Text me if you need anything. I put Christian’s number in last night, too. He’ll be in town if you need anything, okay?”
I nod, and he forces a smile.
Then he disappears into the night. I watch until his shadow disappears into the darkness before I turn and stare blindly at the TV screen.
I send up a silent prayer that Landry and Reyes both come home safely. I need them because I love them both.