Twenty-Nine
Thor
The last twenty-four plus hours have been exhausting. After the adrenaline rush from the encounter with Angie wore off, I spent the rest of the day being interrogated by the cops and Rock, all while trying to keep my eyes on Clover to make sure she wasn’t going to spiral.
I’m so proud of how she handled the entire situation. She’s not cured from her anxiety, but it’s small steps toward helping her cope when things get overwhelming.
After leaving her with her parents, I spent the rest of the night back at the office debriefing with Rock and filling out the mounds of paperwork that comes with the job. Especially in situations where there’s an altercation before the suspect is detained.
Once I finally got home and was lying in bed, I sent Clover a short text telling her I missed her and to text me whenever she was ready. Then, I was out cold. And for the first time in years, not only did I have zero nightmares, but I slept more than a few hours. As in, I slept for about fourteen hours straight .
Now that I’m finally awake, I reach for my phone, feeling disappointed that there are no calls or texts from Clover, but I can’t go without seeing her another moment.
After a cup of coffee, I hop on my bike and head to her house to surprise her. As I’m driving, I notice a moving bundle on the side of the road. I pass it at first, but something in my gut has me circling back to investigate.
What I don’t expect to find inside are two kittens that have been tossed out. Of course, I can’t leave them on the side of the road. It takes me a while to maneuver, but I finally get the poor things zipped up in my jacket to keep them safe during the short ride.
And that’s how I end up on Clover’s doorstep, with my jacket meowing and claw marks covering my chest.
I sure wasn’t counting on Clover’s glare and scowl to greet me, though. It’s more unexpected than the kittens currently shredding my skin.
“Hey, Love. Can I come in?”
Her scowl deepens, and she crosses her arms. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you should explain why you dropped off the face of the earth first.”
My brow furrows. “What are you talking about? I texted you.”
She scoffs. “If I had gotten a text, do you think I’d be considering busting your nose again?”
“I’m not sure what happened. But I promise I texted you as soon as I got home.”
One of the kittens decides she’s had enough of being trapped inside my jacket and lets out a cry while simultaneously scratching from my collar bone all the way down my stomach. I hiss in pain, biting back a curse.
Clover’s brow furrows. “What in the world was that?”
I chuckle nervously. “I found a couple friends on the way here. But I’m afraid to let them out or they’ll run.”
Her gaze dips to my jacket, which is moving, and her eyes widen. “Get inside.” As soon as the door is shut, I unzip my jacket and Clover’s face softens. “Oh my goodness. They are so adorable,” she coos, reaching for the orange kitten.
“They’re something all right.” I pry the black one’s claws off my chest. “I’m pretty sure she drew blood.”
Clover has the orange kitten pressed against her face, murmuring softly to it. “Oh, you’ll survive. They’re just scared.”
Snorting, I hand her the black one, and now both of the kittens are purring at Clover’s affections. “I do believe I need you to patch me up, though, Love.”
She gives me a side-eye. “You’re a big boy. You know where the first aid is. I’m going to go find something to feed these two.”
Hanging my jacket up, I smile and watch her walk away. After cleaning myself up in the bathroom, I head into the kitchen, checking the text messages on my phone. Well, crap.
Clover is giving the kittens water and some shredded chicken. I put my phone in her face. “I must have passed out before I hit the send button. I’m sorry. I thought it went through.”
Narrowing her eyes, she asks, “How do I know you didn’t type that out when you were in the bathroom? ”
I sigh, scratching my jaw. “You don’t. You just have to trust me.” Locking eyes with her, I lower my voice. “Do you trust me, Love?”
She studies my face as if she’s trying to pull out any lies I may be hiding. Then, she lifts a delicate shoulder and lets out an exasperated huff. “I suppose I do.” Petting one of the kittens, she smiles as she stands. “So, what are you going to do with these cuties?”
My lips lift in a smile as I lean against the counter and cross my arms. “I thought after we get them cleared by the vet, we could go get all the supplies they need and bring them back here. I mean, if you want them.”
Clover’s eyes glisten, and she glances back down at the kittens. “Guess I’ll have to pick out names for them.”
Moving toward her, I rub her arms. “Already thought about that. Anne and Diana, since they’re sisters.”
Smiling, Clover lays her head on my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, my entire body sighing with relief that she’s here and okay. “Anne with an e,” she says quietly.
I chuckle, pressing a kiss to the top of her forehead. “Obviously.”
She lifts her head. “Where have you been? I was . . . I thought—” she breaks off, shaking her head and lowering her gaze.
Hooking my finger under her chin, I tilt her head until I can see those gorgeous eyes I love so much. “I’m sorry, Love. The paperwork took all night. When I got home, I typed up that text, but must not have hit send before I completely crashed. Slept all day and half the night. ”
Her eyes soften and she brushes her hand along my bearded jaw. “You were exhausted.”
“Yeah. That’s the hardest I’ve slept in a long time.”
“No nightmares?”
I shake my head, my lips tugging up. “Not a one.” I pause, before adding, “But that doesn’t mean they won’t come back.”
She nods. “But they can get better. If you let others help carry the load.”
I hum deep in my throat as my finger traces the curve of her cheek. I want to kiss her. To go all in and tell her how deeply I feel for her, but there’s one thing I need to hear her say first. “Clover, I hope that kiss the other night meant that you’re feeling this too.”
Grasping my hand, she presses a light kiss against my fingertips, sending fire blazing through my veins. “Yeah, I do.”
Cupping her face with both my hands, I bring my lips to her forehead, lingering there for a moment, savoring her warmth and tropical aroma. I pull back and meet her eyes, swallowing over my tight throat. “I’m a broken man. Being with me, it . . . it requires a lot.”
“We’re all broken, Thor.”
I roll my lips together. “I realize this is a lot to put on you, but as much as I want to be with you, I need you to know what you’re getting into. And I have to know before I fall any deeper.”
Clover’s forehead creases with concern. “What’s wrong?”
Averting my eyes, I suck in a breath. “I already help Mom a lot, but eventually, the full responsibility of Gunner will fall to me. ”
She frowns. “He’s your family. Why would you think that would be a problem for us?”
“The last serious girlfriend I had made it very clear that we couldn’t be together unless I put Gunner in some kind of home when the time came.”
Anger flashes in Clover’s eyes, making them appear a deeper shade of purple. “I have so many words about that, but I can’t say them out loud.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, well . . . I want this with you. With us. More than anything. But if things with Gunner would be a problem for you, I’ll understand. And I’ll walk away right now.” Those words taste bitter on my tongue, but I have to give her the choice. I can’t take another step forward in this relationship if she’s not on the same page.
Clover brings both hands to the sides of my face, capturing my gaze with hers. “Are you kidding me, Thor? I love your family.” She runs her thumb over my lips and heat pools in my stomach. It’s requiring every ounce of my restraint not to claim her lips. “Your mom is amazing, and so is Gunner.” Her eyes bore into mine. “I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I can’t imagine anything I’d love more than to have you and your family by my side.”
A devious smile lifts the corners of her mouth. “Besides, can you imagine how much fun Gunner and I are going to have pranking you all the time?”
I cover her hands that are still pressed to my face with my own, letting out a relieved breath. My chest feels lighter than it has in ages as peace washes over me at her words. “You really are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, Clover Mason.”
She kisses the tip of my nose and smirks. “And don’t you forget it.”
Dropping my hands to her waist, I drag her flush against me. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
She hums softly. “Then stop talking and do it.” Her tone has grown husky as she grasps the back of my neck and tugs me down until her lips have laid claim to mine. She doesn’t just smell like pineapples, she tastes like them too. It’s my new favorite flavor.
Bringing my hand up to her throat, my thumb brushes against her pulse that is racing in rhythm with my own. Gently, I tilt her head, angling it just right so I can deepen the kiss as I coax her mouth open. She sighs, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck as my hands fall to her sides.
My fingers press into her hips before I run them up and down her curves as I walk us backward until her back is up against the wall. I pull away for a moment, to meet her hooded eyes. Seeing the effect I have on her has satisfaction humming in my chest. Her cheeks are flushed, making the freckles along her nose and cheekbones stand out.
I press a kiss to one freckle, then another as Clover grasps a handful of my shirt in her fist. “You own me, Love,” I whisper against her mouth. “Every breath.” I kiss one cheek. “Every heartbeat.” I kiss the other. “Every thought.” I press a kiss to her nose. “Everything I am or ever will be is yours.” My lips crash into hers again, and I know if I lived a thousand lifetimes, I’d never get enough of Clover Mason.
Suddenly, a little devil cat with razor-sharp claws jumps on my back, and I’m jerking away from Clover, yelping in pain. “What in the—”
She blinks out of her haze, her face red from my beard scraping against her cheeks, and her lips deliciously swollen. Her eyes widen as she sees the little vermin climbing across my shoulder, then she giggles, and I want to bottle the sound up and keep it forever. It’s worth all the cat scratches in the world.
“I think you’ve got an admirer,” she says, laughter dancing in her eyes.
I grab the scruff of its neck, pulling it around to see which one it is. Sighing, I roll my eyes. “Of course, Anne with an E is going to be the troublemaker.”
Pulling the kitten from my arms, Clover hugs it to her chest. “I mean, she was your first love and all. Besides, she probably thinks you’re her mom or something since you have matching hair and you rescued her.”
“Well, I wish she would love me a little less.”
Clover’s heated gaze meets mine. “I don’t think that’s possible.”
Smiling, I lean forward and kiss her. Until Anne with an E jumps on me again, and Clover and I separate, laughing together.