66. Ember
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
EMBER
O rion takes care to wash every inch of my body with more softness than he should be capable of.
He’s one of the most ruthless men in the country—hell, maybe even the world—and yet, when it comes to me, his calloused hands could never cause me pain. At least no pain that I don’t revel in.
Once I’m dry and dressed in one of his shirts, he dresses himself, never straying more than a handful of feet from me.
Why do I have a feeling he’s about to be really fucking overbearing?
But I don’t mind.
I’m not sure when I’m going to feel safe enough to leave his side or if I ever will.
A few months ago, I would have thought that was toxic as fuck, but now it just feels right.
Orion drops into a crouch in front of me, and I spread my legs for him, immediately needing to feel him closer.
He rests his head on my chest, his arms winding around my waist as he holds me close, and I do the same. Clinging to him like he’s the air I need to breathe.
“I’ve never been so scared, Ember,” he murmurs. “I never want to feel like that again.”
“You won’t,” I reply, pressing a kiss to his damp hair. “You won’t let it.”
“You’re damn right.” He rumbles. “You’re going to get sick of all your new rules, but I need to know you’re safe. I don’t think my heart will survive a repeat of what happened this week.”
I laugh, gripping his shoulders tighter. “The sex is always hot when we argue, anyway.”
He huffs out a laugh and pulls back, staring up at me through long, dark lashes. “You’re my everything, Ember.”
“I know,” I whisper. I lean forward and press my lips to his, reminding us both that I’m here and I’m safe, exactly where I’m supposed to be.
“I have to share you with the others. Max and Darius were losing their minds. I…like them, I guess.”
I chuckle. “You guess?”
He sighs. “I never thought I’d be okay with any other man being around you, but they’re good for you. And they’ll always be in your corner. I can’t take that away from you.”
I shake my head. “You’re overbearing, you know that, right?”
“Oh, I’m very fucking aware. And that’s not going to change anytime soon.”
“Good.”
We stay in each other’s arms for a few more minutes before Orion finally relents and carries me back into the living room, where Max and Darius are sitting at the dining table, and Killian sits beside a very skittish-looking Elsie.
Clearly, she didn’t feel like napping, and I don’t blame her. Not when all we had to do in those cells was sleep and be tormented by men who aren’t worth the air they breathe.
Orion sits down with me in his lap, not ready to be away from me, but I don’t comment on it. Not when this is exactly where I want to be.