Chapter Seventeen
Ezra
Dragging my fingers through my mate's freshly washed and dyed hair, I lie awake as she snuggles against my side. She was surprised that I wanted to use the blow dryer on the strands. Her eyes softened. I know she’s never had anyone do things for her with no expectations.
My mom always told me it was the little things that were memorable. Rylee deserves all of it.
A woman has never tied me up. The experience was hot as hell.
I’m not one to give up complete control during sex, yet it felt natural to do it for her.
I could have ripped them from the headboard at any moment, but she trusted me not to.
It was easy to let her guide the moment, and the payoff was her warm body wrapped around me and her loss of control.
Marking her was another way to show her that I’m going nowhere without her by my side.
That wasn’t the only reason I did it. Seeing my bite on her skin gives me pleasure I can’t describe.
I’m vulnerable because she could leave me, and perhaps get over the heat and the call of the bond.
It would be difficult for her, but it’s possible.
I will be tied to her until I don’t breathe.
I can’t touch another woman, or be satisfied without her.
It was a sacrifice I was happy to make.
She can feel my emotions now, and there is a thin string from my mind to hers.
I can’t see into her emotions until she marks me.
There is no decision to be made. I want her forever.
If she turned me away, I would follow her until the end of time, which I would do with or without my mark on her neck.
She wants me and has deep feelings. I get that she needs more time.
I would be surprised if she didn’t because of the things she lived through.
Talking about children makes me slightly impatient.
I would love to see her belly round with our child.
I have to take a breath and know she will get there.
I glance at the bedside table. I’ve been ignoring my phone, and the messages have been constant.
Rylee needed my attention, and I didn’t want anything to interrupt the moment.
Now I realize it must be urgent. I ease away from my warm mate and plan to threaten whoever it is.
I don’t like leaving her. It could be Issy or Mom, and I don’t like leaving their messages unanswered.
Standing, I make sure the covers are tight around her, and then grab my phone.
I quietly leave the room and walk to the living room.
Crouching by my bag, I dig out a pair of sweatpants and slip them on.
Unlocking my phone, I see Shade called four times.
Issy messaged to say she was fine and staying with Sally.
Apparently, they became fast friends and are having a girls' night.
She goes on to say she met another rabbit, Roxanne.
Allie is with them, and they are watching vampire movies.
I call Shade.
“Where are you?” he answers.
“At Rylee’s. What’s wrong?” I walk toward the balcony.
“I’ve been watching Charlie.”
“And?”
“I caught him on camera by Heath’s place.”
“The gym?”
“Yeah. I don’t think he was there to partake in self-defense, and there weren’t any fights scheduled,” he says.
“When was this?”
“This morning. It was open, but he didn’t go in. He sat in his car and watched who went into the building.”
“He must know more about her than she thought.” My stomach tightens. “Fuck.”
“Has he called her?”
“I don’t think so,” I mumble, glancing toward the bedroom before going outside.
I leave the door open just in case she wakes and wonders where I am.
“I need to track him, but I don’t want to leave her.
” My skin is itching with the need to kill him.
I don’t care if there is a chance that he is innocent. No man can follow my mate.
“I can keep watching.”
“She doesn’t need this,” I growl, running my hand through my hair. “She’s finally feeling safe.”
“I know,” he says softly.
“Have you seen him near here?” I look over the rail, my eyes penetrating the dark. I open all my senses, smelling for his scent. Nothing.
“No. I can put constant surveillance on the building.”
“Do it,” I grit out. “If I need to, I’ll show up at his house.”
“Can you get a tracker on his car?” he asks.
“Possibly.” All of these scenarios depend on leaving Rylee.
“If I can’t follow his every move through my computers, I’ll let you know.”
“I knew this asshole was going to be a pain in the ass.” The thought of him getting close to my mate sends rage through my body. I can’t let her get hurt.
“Maybe you can distract her with your mom,” he says.
“Shit,” I grumble, looking at the time. “I forgot she was coming today.” It’s past midnight, and her flight arrives at ten.
“I don’t know how,” he mumbles.
“Fuck off,” I laugh. “Rylee has been my priority.”
“I get it. Your mate should come first.”
“Mom is going to love her, but I’m regretting inviting her,” I sigh.
“She can spend a few hours with Rylee, and you can go kill him,” he says lightly.
“So, I’m supposed to introduce them, and say what? I know you just met, but I have something to do.”
“I didn’t say I was an expert on meeting your mate's family,” he murmurs.
“No,” I say dryly.
“Don’t be a smart ass.”
“I could say the same.”
“Fine, perhaps you could invite Sally. She puts everyone at ease.”
“I don’t know if she’ll be up for an early morning visit. She’s having a slumber party with Issy, Roxanne, and Allie.”
“Oh, shit. They’ll probably be in jail.”
“Why?”
“That crew together? Unsupervised? Trouble is not far behind,” he says.
“Great. I don’t have time to bail them out.” It seems like I have a lot to learn about the family.
“Don’t worry. Atlas and Luca wouldn’t let her stay longer than the time it takes to get there.”
“Comforting.”
“It should be. Those boys don’t fuck around.”
“Only you would call vampires boys.”
“I’m an original,” he snorts.
“Sure.” I walk inside and lock the door. “Watch Charlie. If I can get away without leaving Rylee alone, I will. If he takes one step in this direction, I need to know.”
“Will do. If it makes you feel better, I don’t think he’s a mastermind stalker. He didn’t try to hide his interest in watching the building or the people. He’d be picked up easily with witnesses.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“I tried.”
“I appreciate it,” I drawl.
“I’m always here for reassurance.”
“Sure. I’m hanging up.”
I return to the bedroom and pause at the side of the bed.
Losing any time with Rylee doesn’t make me happy.
I know she isn’t defenseless, yet I want to be the one to protect her.
If I told her about Charlie, she’d volunteer to come with me to track him.
It’s my decision to take care of it without her knowing anything.
I could find him, kill him, and sweet-talk Bash into disposing of the body so that I could get back to her.
She doesn’t need to know about another man trying to make her life hell.
I want her to live easily. If she asks where I went, I wouldn’t keep it from her, but then it would be done.
I respond to Issy, telling her to have fun, and drop my phone on the table.
Slowly lifting the comforter, I slide toward my mate.
Rylee rolls close and sprawls across my chest, her thigh sliding over mine.
The tension leaves my body as her scent fills my nose, and her body heat seeps into my skin.
This is heaven. She makes me forget everything but her.
I glide my hand underneath her hair and to the crook of her neck. I trace my mark.
I will make sure pain doesn’t touch her again.
Whatever I have to do.
“You’re cooking?” Rylee freezes on the threshold of the bedroom.
“Mom taught me.” I grin.
“I don’t cook.”
“I know.” I tilt my head, staring at her disheveled hair.
“It’s not a problem?” She walks toward me, putting her hair in a bun.
“Why would it be? I can, or we order food.” I lift a shoulder.
“I don’t think you're real.” She narrows her eyes, but leans against my side.
“Mouth,” I demand, and she tips her head back. I kiss her briefly, and then nod to the coffee cup in front of us.
“Yours.”
“Thanks.” She picks it up. “No pancakes?”
“Not today. My mom is coming. I don’t want her getting jealous if she sees I made them. She likes to think she’s the only one who can.” I open the waffle maker.
“How are these different?”
“Many reasons,” I say, winking at her. I put the cooked waffle on a plate.
“Don’t you use the same batter?”
“Oh, my sweet mate. I have so much to teach you.” I wiggle my eyebrows, and she laughs.
“I bet you do,” she hums, and takes a drink. “I’ve tried to make pancakes. It was an epic failure.”
“How?” Pouring the mix into the griddle, I look at her, appreciating her openness.
“I helped Lawson make some for Haven. We failed. We added too much water, and the cakes were paper-thin.” She shakes her head. “I blame him. The mix was already a mess before I decided to help.” She leans her hip against the counter and runs her fingers through my hair.
“I’ll teach you to cook if you want to learn,” I say, and she stops her caress.
“You would?” she whispers.
“Why not? I’m patient. We can take baby steps.”
“I’d like that.”
“Here.” I grip her waist and move her in front of me. “You can do the next one.” I press against her and open the lid.
“You just want to hold me,” she says, pushing her ass back.
“Guilty,” I chuckle, rolling my hips.
“Ezra,” she scolds. “This is serious business.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t fuck you in the kitchen.” I lick my mark, and she laughs. “Alright, serious.” I drop the waffle on top of the others. “Pick up the bowl,” I instruct, and she does so hesitantly. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to fuck it up,” she grumbles.
“You won’t. If you did, no one cares. It’s just you and me.” I kiss her temple.
“Yeah,” she sighs, tilting her head. “You and me.”