13. Maya #2
“No,” I demanded softly, tears filling my gaze as I pressed my lips against his, his grip tightening on me.
“Do not do this to me, to us… I feel you pulling away, and I can’t handle that.
Please don’t do this, Ledger. For me to be strong enough to push past this, I need you. I need to know you are here for me.”
“Of course, firefly.” His emotions broke open as he buried me under his chin and tightened his hold on me, the lightheartedness that was usually between us seeming to fade out completely. “I promise you, I’m not going anywhere. I won’t ever let that shit happen again. I fucking promise you.”
I breathed out and nodded, knowing that his words were serious.
Knowing that they were so much more lethal than I could comprehend.
The words that came out of him were like a goddamn prayer.
An oath. I had a feeling that anyone who tried to hurt me would be faced with a side of Ledger that no one had ever seen before.
Ledger
It was late into the night by the time we pulled up to our massive estate.
Maya’s hot little frame was wrapped around me as I lifted her from under her thighs and stepped out of the car, the coastal wind hitting me as I crossed the front courtyard towards the marble steps that led up towards the front door.
The property looked like it was almost glowing in the moonlight, only shaded by the large shrubs on either side of the massive entrance.
Part of me wished Maya had been up to experience the moment, but I also knew how badly she needed to sleep.
It was probably why no one asked where I was going with our mate, and I was thankful for it, because right now, I probably would have lost my goddamn mind.
I wasn’t normally a selfish man, but I wanted Maya completely and utterly to myself.
I didn’t deserve it, and I’d been planning to give her space after what had happened, not wanting to put her in any more danger than I already had…
. But when she crawled onto my lap and begged me not to distance myself?
There was no way in hell I would have been able to fight my urge to give her exactly what she wanted.
So that is exactly what I would give her—fucking everything.
The two-story ceiling of the foyer was cast in light from the lanterns lit up everywhere throughout the first floor of the home, trailing up the curved stone steps that led towards the bedrooms on the second floor.
The bright blue painted walls were covered in eclectic works of art, and I knew that if I took the main hallway down towards the back of the house, I would find the family room and kitchen.
I didn’t want to be in such a common space though.
No, I wanted to take her to the bedroom that Marco would want her in.
In fact, if my hearing was correct, he’d had several additions made to it.
I would give Marco one thing—the man had his faults, but he was all about taking action.
Before any of this had happened, he’d changed things around here, but once Maya was in the equation? It had become one of his priorities.
It was probably why the last time we’d been in France, he’d wanted to go visit. Now that we were officially here, I more than saw the appeal.
The house was peaceful and quiet, but my shifter hearing picked up the ocean waves in the distance.
Maya let out a soft sigh against my neck as I buried my nose in her wavy hair, just happy to have her in my arms. Happy that she wasn’t furious at me for putting her at risk.
For putting her in a horrible situation.
I had thought she would have been safe… I had thought that her being in a quiet room away from the chaos of the explosion was a better option. Clearly my instincts had been wrong, which made me question pretty much everything else about myself.
What type of man was I that I couldn’t keep my own mate safe?
“Ledger.” Maya’s voice was soft and sleepy as I entered the bedroom, closing the door and looking over the moonlit space.
In the center of the room was a massive, circular white bed that was positioned for her to have views of the coastline on all three walls, the doors to the balcony open and covered only by sheer curtains.
I gently placed her down, crouching down to take off her shoes as she ran her fingers through my hair.
I looked up at her as I slowly peeled her jeans down her long legs and helped her shed the massive, oversized sweater that hid her sexy frame from me.
I had tried so hard to be a good man and give her space, but right now all I wanted to do was bury myself inside of her.
I had already given up one fight, what would be so bad about giving into this as well?
Almost as if reading my thoughts, Maya pulled me gently towards the bed.
I kicked off my shoes, kneeling on the mattress as she let out a small, content sound, stretching.
I felt emotions clog in my throat at how gorgeous she looked spread out underneath me.
I wanted to touch and kiss every single part of her, worship her like I hadn’t gotten the chance to at the Halloween party.
Before I could do anything, Maya’s eyes fluttered shut as she reached out to me, exhaustion evident on her face.
I felt something far stronger than desire cascade over me as a protective instinct roared up inside me.
Tugging off my shirt, I pulled the blankets over her and pulled her body against mine.
She was asleep in seconds, her soft breathing making me feel far better.
I stared up at the moon in the dark sky as a weird sensation ran over me, almost like a premonition or warning. There was no need for it; we were perfectly safe. But I couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something was wrong…something that I couldn’t pinpoint.
Whatever it was, I would handle it before it even grazed Maya. I refused, absolutely refused, to ever let her get hurt again. I didn’t care what I had to do or what I had to sacrifice.