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  She let out a breath. “I’m bad for you, Bray. Greg’s parents aren’t going to forget their goal. They want my babies because of the blood that runs through their veins, but I’m not going to let that happen.”

  “I’m not going to let that happen either. Those kids are part of you, part of me. Just because they don’t have my name doesn’t mean I don’t consider them mine.”

  This was all happening too fast. His words meant promises that she wasn’t sure she could keep. Just because he thought he wanted it all now didn’t mean he’d want it later. Though she trusted him far more than she’d ever trusted Greg, that didn’t mean she could do it fully. She couldn’t let her children’s hearts be broken over him. She couldn’t let her own heart be broken either.

  But, then she remembered the look on Brayden’s face while he held Lacy close. It was already too late to rein in their little minds and hearts. It was already too late to rein in her own.

  She’d already told him she loved him. She’d already given herself to him in all but her body, and she knew that would come.

  Soon.

  Why was she holding herself back? Why was she letting these doubts attack her when they weren’t worth it? She wasn’t the type to live in the moment, but it would be nice to do so, even for a second.

  “Ally?”

  She shook her head then laid it on his chest, his heart beating beneath her ear like a lifeline.

  “I’m okay. At least now.”

  “I don’t want you to leave. I know David’s gone, but the danger isn’t over. I want you and the kids to stay.”

  “Of course,” she said easily, though the disappointment settled in at the cold practically of the reasons forcing them to stay.

  He pushed her back and framed her face again. “I want you to stay for so many more reasons than protection. I never want you to leave, but I think it’s too early for me to say that. So, for now, I’ll lie and say I want you to stay only because of the dangers out there and not because I love you and Aiden, Lacy, and Cameron like my own family, like my everything. I won’t tell you that I want you to stay because I want us to be together in every future I can see.”

  Allison stared into his eyes, and her heart beat faster. She loved him far more than she should. But because she couldn’t think past keeping her kids safe, she’d put his promises aside and keep them for later.

  She couldn’t think of herself; her family was more important.

  But his words would keep her warm when she couldn’t think past the world coming down around her.

  “Brayden…”

  “No, don’t say anything. I don’t want to hear it. Let’s go downstairs and talk to Tyler before he leaves. The kids are in bed, and then it will just be you and me. And there will be a you and me, Ally.”

  She didn’t say a word as they walked hand in hand to the living room where Tyler sat in front of a fire, his arm around Abby. The other Coopers had gone home after they’d let the Malones settle, not wanting to crowd them.

  Tyler had called the ME to take care of David’s body, citing a hiking accident rather than telling the truth. He’d even interviewed some people who couldn’t remember anything unusual happening on the playground meaning David’s magic must have worked better than they’d hoped. She’d never thought of herself as bloodthirsty, but she’d almost been sorry that none of them had helped him over the ledge.

  He’d hurt her babies. The image of ropes around Lacy’s wrists would never leave her mind.

  When Allison and Brayden reached the living room, Tyler’s head rose. The steel glint in his eyes would normally have scared her, but this time, it gave her comfort. He was a Cooper, one of the few who cared for her and her family. They sat down across from Tyler and Abby, and tension radiated through Allison.

  She didn’t want to talk to them about what had happened. Didn’t want to remember the lifeless look on David’s face at the bottom of the cliff. Didn’t want to think about how she’d try to explain it to her children again, knowing they were too old for lies and make believe. Though they lived in a town full of fairy tales and myths, the realistic truths of death and hatred were there and had to be dealt with.

  “The kids asleep?” Tyler asked, his voice low.

  “Thankfully,” Allison answered. “I’m surprised they could even sleep after what happened today.” Her voice caught at that, but she swallowed her fear—it wouldn’t do any good now to weep and scream at the unfairness of it all. She also knew that, though her babies were sleeping now, it didn’t mean they would in the future. She’d prepared herself for the nightmares as best as she could.

  Just not her own.

  “That’s good,” Tyler said. “I want you to be able to get to sleep soon, so I’ll be quick. We recovered David’s body.” She flinched, but Tyler was kind enough to ignore it and continue on. “Everyone thinks it was a hiking accident, and there’s no trace of what happened to Lacy or Aiden. It kills me to have to lie like this, and frankly, I’m not sure I did the right thing. I have to uphold the law. It’s my job, but I also know that things aren’t black and white anymore, and we have to protect our secrets.”

  Allison nodded, bile rising in her throat.

  “I’d rather protect your children, Ally,” Tyler reasoned. “That’s why I called the North Pole.” He let out a snort. “Never thought I’d say that, but things are changing. Up there they know how to clean things up and what to do in these situations. Though they don’t have to hide it up there, they have to hide it from the rest of the world. I also talked with a few of the elves about forming a special police force here in Holiday. One that will deal with magical matters since we seem to have more issues with that now. I know you don’t want to hear about this now, but I wanted you to know that things will be different. At least as different as I can make them. We’re going to have a plan and a way of protecting ourselves and our secrets.”

  Brayden muttered under his breath and tightened his hold on her. She leaned into him, not caring that she was doing exactly what she said she wouldn’t do—relying on someone other than herself.

  This was Brayden.

  He was different.

  And he wanted her.

  Maybe she could lean on him…just for a little bit.

  She bit back a curse. That wasn’t fair to either of them, and frankly, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about it.

  “Okay,” she finally said.

  Tyler’s mouth hitched up in a half smile, and he kissed Abby’s temple. “I know it’s a lot to think about right now, but I wanted to let you know just the same. Now, about the things that concern you.”

  She bit her lip, and Brayden tightened his hold again. God, she loved this man, even though she knew she shouldn’t.

  “What is it, Tyler?” Brayden asked.

  “We know David wasn’t working alone, and he said as much. I looked up what I could about the grandparents, and they seem to be staying where they are. The authorities there are letting them know of David’s demise, which might set them off. Rina told us all she could about gnomes, and I’m still a little wary of what they could do.”

  Allison nodded, understanding.

  They weren’t safe.

  They couldn’t be safe with Greg’s parents out there.

  “She’s going to stay here with me. The kids too,” Brayden said in that quiet way of his, and Allison immediately relaxed and wanted to tense at the same time.

  Who was he to order them about?

  Brayden looked down at her and raised a brow. “Is that okay with you?”

  Oh, great, now he takes my opinion into account?

  She couldn’t put her own issues at the forefront, not when she had Aiden, Cameron, and Lacy to think about.

  And, God, she wanted to stay for far more reasons than safety. She wanted to stay because she loved him. Loved the way he cared for her and her children, loved the way he made her feel and smile. Yes, she wanted to stay, but she wouldn’t tell him that—couldn’t tell hi
m that. Not when the emotions running through her were so chaotic she didn’t know what she was thinking anymore.

  “Yes, that works for me. The kids love staying here anyway.”

  At the word love, something brightened in Brayden’s gaze, but neither of them mentioned her use of the word love. They had a lot to talk about that couldn’t be said in front of Tyler and Abby.

  As if sensing the undercurrents in their conversation, Abby stood quickly and dragged Tyler up with her.

  “It’s settled then. All of us will be around when we can,” Abby explained. “Just stay safe, and we’ll make a plan to protect everyone. I know this sucks right now, but we’re moving forward.”

  Allison nodded, and they said their goodbyes. Soon she was left in a cooling foyer with Brayden, and she didn’t know if she wanted to jump into his arms and never let go or run to her guest room and hide until she could think straight.

  Frankly, she didn’t know when that time could come as it was.

  “Ally?”

  She turned to find Brayden closer than she’d thought. She could smell the earthy scent that drew her toward him every time she saw him. Allison closed her eyes and inhaled, needing that steadiness that came when she knew he was there—even as her heart raced at the thought of being alone with him.

  They’d danced around each other for so long and had started the process of becoming something more than just friends who felt tingles around each other. Now it was time to at least start to make sense of the mess they’d made.

  There was no way she’d be able to go to sleep without knowing at least if there was a direction for them to go at all.

  They loved each other, but she wasn’t sure she could trust it.

  That just made her angrier. It wasn’t Brayden’s fault that she’d been hurt far more than physically in the past. It wasn’t his fault that she couldn’t trust.

  She took a deep breath and took a step closer. His eyes widened, but he stood stock-still, as if he knew she could bolt at any moment.

  It wasn’t his fault she was afraid.

  It wasn’t.

  “Thank you, Brayden. For everything.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. You know I’d do anything for you.” She watched as he struggled for control then gave in, tracing a finger down her arm, sending shivers in its wake.

  Allison tilted her head up, catching his gaze. She could stare into those ocean-blue eyes for days, always finding something new and exciting. Why had she been holding herself back from him?

  “Brayden…”

  “Don’t say anything you don’t mean, Ally. I don’t want you to run away because you’re scared, and I don’t want you to come closer if you feel grateful.” He slid his palms down her back then up, catching the edge of her shirt, his fingertips, calloused from working with his hands, rough on her smooth skin. “I want you in my arms, in my bed, and in my life because you want to be, not because you feel you need to pay me back.”

  “It would never be like that, Bray. You know I love you. We’ve both said the words and thought about the future. We both know that it could end badly. That’s why we’ve been afraid.”

  He gripped her chin so she couldn’t avoid his gaze. “No, that’s why you’ve been afraid. I’ve been afraid to hurt you, not seeing what was in front of my face the whole time. I thought you didn’t want me, didn’t want to be with me. Yeah, I stood back because I was waiting for the right time and never knew when that was, but I didn’t know if you’d want me. You didn’t show anything to me that said love in the past. That’s why I stood back these past couple years, but I’m not standing back anymore, Ally. Once I get you in my bed and in my life, I’m not letting you go. So, I’m going to give you this choice. I’m not going to force you there, but once you’re there, I’m not going to let you leave.”

  Though his high-handedness should have scared her, but right then, it made her want him more—something totally opposite of what it usually was. She knew that it would be her decision to let him in close, just as it was his decision to want to keep her—as much as she’d want to keep him.

  Could she trust it?

  That was something she’d have to have faith in. She’d spent her whole life doing what others wanted of her, never letting go… Maybe it was time to be free and hold tight to what she wanted.

  “I don’t know if I want you to let me go, Bray. But, I’m here now. Can that be enough?”

  He shook his head then ran kisses down her brow, her cheek, her jaw. “No, it’s not enough. But I don’t believe you. I don’t think you’re going to go. I might be the stupidest man you’ve ever seen by going with my gut and my luck rather than your words, but I’m taking you, Ally.”

  His voice, low and ready, mixed with the softness of his lips on her skin made her thighs clench, aching for him. She was no stranger to sex. No, she’d had three kids and let—no, had endured—Greg keep her down for years, but she knew it would be different with Brayden.

  She needed it to be different with Brayden.

  “I’m going to try my best.” She just hoped it was good enough.

  He stared at her for a few moments as if searching for an answer that she hadn’t given. She lifted her chin from his hold but didn’t look anywhere but his face, his high cheekbones and his strong jaw.

  Finally, he nodded then lowered his lips. He tasted of mint, coffee, and that thing that was just Brayden. She melted into him, deepening his kiss. God, she needed him. Needed this.

  He nipped at her lips, her tongue, tasting her while she did the same to him. Finally, he pulled back, his pupils wide, just a little bit of blue around the edges. Both of them panted heavily, knowing this was the start of something more…something they would finish tonight.

  “My children…”

  “Are asleep and tucked in their beds.”

  “But what if they wake up?”

  “Then they’ll find you in my room, though the door will be locked. They’re old enough to know that I love you, Ally. I think Aiden is even old enough to know that something is going on with us.”

  She filed that information for later as she’d have to talk to all her children about this, even if only in general without details. She wouldn’t go in blind—she couldn’t.

  He tugged at her hand, and she followed him willingly up the stars, past her room to the master bedroom.

  He had decorated with strong, dark furniture, deep green colors that seemed to go with his leprechaun and luck, and had candles lit.

  “Candles?”

  She could have sworn a blush rose to his cheeks as he shrugged it off.

  “I lit them when you were putting Lacy to bed. I wanted to make it special for you, Ally.”

  Touched, she walked to him and slid her arms around his neck. “It would have been special even without the candles, Bray. I don’t need silk and promises. I just need you.”

  “I’m not a sweet man, Ally.” She opened her mouth to say just the opposite, but he cut her off. “No, I’m not. I’ll do anything anyone needs of me outside of here, but in this room, in my bed, you’re mine. I don’t want to share you with anyone, not even in your thoughts. I’m going to take all I can and give everything and more right back. I’m not going to be gentle in here, and I don’t want to be. I’ll make it the best we can, and I’ll try not to scare you, but it’s taking all that I am not to throw you down on your stomach and sink into you from behind over and over again until you’re panting my name.”

  Her breath caught in her throat at his words and the images they created in her head. God, she didn’t know he could be this way…with this edge. She liked it. It wasn’t anything like Greg, and she wanted more. She buried the thought of her dead husband as soon as it came up. It wasn’t the time for memories of that man; he’d had his.

  Now she’d have hers.

  “I want it all, Bray. I’m not afraid of you. I could never be. Just tell me what to do, and I’m yours.”

  He smiled then, a truly feral smile.
He turned from her then, and before she could taste the disappointment, she heard the click of the lock on the door, and he was on her. His mouth took hers with a burning force, demanding more than she thought she had. She kissed back with the same intensity, their teeth clashing, their bodies brushing against each other. This wouldn’t be a soft, innocent first love. No, this would be a hard, pounding, sweaty turn in the sheets. She’d give so much of her heart and her love, but she’d take so much more in return.

  Brayden pulled back first, and she felt cold at the loss, stupid she knew. He pulled off his shirt in a quick motion, his chest and abs rippling as he did so. She reached out to touch him, needing to feel his heat, but he put a hand on her wrists.

  “Not yet.”

  “But—”

  He shook his head, cutting her off. “No, not yet. I’m going to touch every inch of you, taste you, and lick you. Then, once you’ve come on my face and my hand, you can touch me as I sink into that pussy of yours.”

  Her eyes widened at the brazen words, but then she smiled. “Bring it.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “I’m glad you’re not one of those weeping, fainting gals.”

  She raised a brow. “Been with many of those, have you?”

  He just grinned. “Oh no, I know better than to mention anyone else but you when I’m about to fill you with my cock. There’s no one before this, Ally. No one after.”

  She didn’t say anything at his promise, just looked down his toned body to the cock he mentioned, straining at his zipper. Oh, how she yearned to relieve him of that ache and wrap her lips around the whole of him.

  “I like where your thoughts are going, Ally-mine. And soon I’ll let you get on your knees while I fuck that pretty mouth.”

  “Let?”

  “Let. You’ll want it.”

  “I thought you were the sweet Cooper,” she teased. “What’s with the dirty mouth?”

  His eyes darkened, not in the anger she’d grown to expect from other men but in the heat she knew was only him. “I keep telling everyone I’m not the nice one. That’s Matt and now Justin. I’m going to say any crude thing that comes to mind as I pound into that pussy of yours, and we’re both going to like it. Then when we’re sated a long, long time from now, I’ll say the sweet words we both mean, and I’m not letting you go.” Even as he said it, he moved to the other side of the room, leaving space that seemed to go on forever.