40. Erin
Chapter forty
Erin
I avoided Seth until the end of the night. We all went back to his place; Derik was lounging around the living room when we walked in. The sunset streamed in from the kitchen windows, casting an array of reds, oranges, and purples throughout the open space, as it was the only light illuminating the house on the inside. Derik had greeted the four of us with a simple wave. Libby and I joined him, taking up spots on the floor. Josh stood to the left of the sofa and Seth hovered from the distance of the kitchen, moping.
Libby filled Derik in, unfortunately including the bit about me going off on Seth, before she lingered on the part about Derik having been sent on a hunting route slash protection duty; neither of them seeming to have the thought to let her know or have a buddy system in place, considering that’s what we’re supposed to do. Libby laid into Derik, leaving him in a similar state to Seth by the time she was finished.
I tacked onto the end of her verbal lashing, backing her up. “I swear, it’s like the two of you are trying to get yourselves killed.” I threw my hand in the air motioning between Derik and Seth, who had finally scurried his way to the living room, joining the rest of us. Josh had remained quiet, playing spectator. I eyed him.
“Josh, you know what, did you know anything about Derik’s little tracking detail? Where Seth decided to have Derik play secret bodyguard on my way to work?”
He met my narrowed stare. “Yes, I was aware, Miss Snow.”
Great. So all the guys were in on it.
We’re not fucking helpless, you assholes.
“And any reason as to why you weren’t with Derik? Or why Seth failed to tell me he had someone watching me?” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I was occupied with other business matters at the time, my apologies. As for why he had not discussed it with you beforehand, I am unsure, Miss Snow.” Josh adjusted his button up, flicking a lingering piece of Demon flesh onto Seth’s hardwood floor.
Well. That’s probably going to leave a stain.
You know what? Good.
Seth’s mouth moved to chime in, and I turned my nose in the opposite direction. Silence followed until Derik came to his defense.
He reached for my shoulder and I yanked it out of range. “Erin, I get it, you’re peeved, but he didn’t say anything because he figured you’d fight it. And from the way you’re reacting, he was right. I get it you’re upset but get over it.”
My nostrils flared.
You don’t get it.
None of you do.
I met Derik’s eyes with a cold glare. “I may have fought it, but the fact remains that I’m not some weak individual that needs protecting. I will not have you guys literally out there risking your lives and ultimately the lives and safety of the people around here. The people we’re trying to protect and save, for me. I am nothing in the grand scheme of things. You pull shit like that, say something. Don’t leave me to figure it out by my super-powered hearing to pick up the fighting and gurgling of Demons’ having their throats ripped out on my way to campus. I was two seconds away from stampeding through the bushes when I heard you finish them off, Derik,” I boomed, my voice growing louder with each word. I took a steadying breath, trying to calm myself. My jaw clenched. “I am not worth that risk.”
My safety…my life is worth nothing.
Derik shot to his feet; his slate-blue eyes wild. “Oh my God, Erin. Get over it. Get over the whole ‘daddy abandonment’ issues. For fucks sake,” his fists clenched at his sides as his body shook. “We’re in this together. All of us. We’re not fucking going anywhere, Erin. Dead or alive. We may not have been around each other a whole lot until recently, but we fucking love you. We are a damn family, Erin. A fucking family . And family helps each other, no matter the fucking risks. So lay the fuck off of Seth. Give it a fucking break,” Libby went to his side, clutching his fist, and pulled him toward the front door, Josh only a step behind. The three of them left, the door slammed shut behind them, but not before I caught the tail end of Derik grumbling, “He cares about you more than you know.”
I sat there, dumbfounded. My mind, blank. I stared at the front door, long after they left.
I felt fabric weigh on my shoulders, breaking my trance. My bleary eyes looked up to see Seth draping a blanket over me. He sat down beside me, crossing his legs, his shoulder brushed against mine.
He let out a sigh, the pain within it mirrored that which ached within my chest. Seth brought his thumb to my chin. As he lifted it, his glistening, ocean-deep eyes locked with my simple grey-blues. He rasped, barely above a whisper, “Erin.”
My lip wobbled; a cry forced its way past my lips. Seth pulled me close, tucking me under his chin.
His mouth brushed against my hair as he whispered, “You are worth every risk, Rin. Every damned one.”
I sobbed into his shirt, soaking it. He held me, whispering to me for what felt like hours, yet only minutes had passed. I pulled back, the salty tears continued to fall. Seth titled his nose, bringing his face closer, his eyes searched mine. I subtly nodded and closed the gap. Our lips clashed, meshing together. Soft and wet as they moved as an extension of one another, slowly.
The tears fell faster, the ache in my chest grew, clenching, afraid to let go. I gripped the front of Seth’s drenched shirt and pulled him closer. His hand splayed on my back, his fingertips kneading my shirt as if fighting the urge to yank it off, to rip it. A moan escaped my lips; Seth growled in response. I leaned into him, pushing him onto his back. I nestled my legs on either side of his hips, straddling him. We both panted, our kiss deepening. Seth hooked his thumbs in the waistband of my pants, bringing my hips down closer to his. My hands ran down the length of his torso, reaching the hem of his shirt. I began tugging it upward, wanting, needing to run my fingers along his sculpted body. He grabbed my wrists, stopping me. I whimpered as he slowed our heated kiss and pulled back, one hand moving to cup my face.
No, please.
His eyes were clouded, emotion swirling within them as he gazed in mine. “Rin.”
I placed my hand over his. Letting the question linger.
“Not like this. Not when you’ve been emotionally drained,” he moved my hand, placing it on his heart. “When we do this, I want it to be right. Perfect.” Every word vibrated my hand, shivers snaking up my arm, warmth filling the cracks within me. Bit by bit.
I need you.
My lip wobbled and he wiped the tears from my cheek. “Why?” I whispered, fear gripping me.
“Because Erin. You are far more important to me than you know.” He moved my hand to his mouth, placing a kiss across each of my fingertips.
And you are far too important to me.
A final tear escaped and I blinked, taking in Seth’s beautiful face. A small, hushed voice whispered in the far corner of my heart.
Mine.