A Trust Earned
Page 15
He smiled when her cheeks flushed lightly. “What Bram?”
“We need to take a long, temporary leave.”
“Why?” she asked, mildly confused. “Why both?”
He pulled her down to nip at her ear. “For our honeymoon,” he breathed against her. “That is, if you still want me, if you can say yes.”
She leaned back and he saw a light glowing in her gaze, a primal need that he felt deeply and wanted to answer. She bent over and offered her answer, licking the sensitive side of his neck.
“Consider yourself marked,” she whispered heatedly for him.
He moaned, his eyes drifting shut as sensations bombarded him, reawakening him with a powerful kick that was stronger than the best coffee. “Promise me you will never forget how to do that.”
“Not in a million years,” she replied.
“Ahem, can I interrupt?” Bram smiled at the voice, his eyes opening once more to the whiteness of the room, and the owner of the voice. He saw Selene sit up with a guilty blush as a man came in wearing a firefighter t-shirt and jeans.
“Mitchell,” he groaned.
“Glad to see you too,” his brother said. Bram held her tight when she tried to move away. “Mom called and said you did something stupid and stepped in front of a bullet.”
“Trying to save the trees,” Bram said with a joking twist of his lips. “What brings you out this way?”
“I was called out for the storms. Those lightning strikes set off some corridor fires. I would’ve been here sooner,” he explained.
Bram nodded and understood. Duty first. “Well, I guess it’s just good fortune you’re here first then. I want you to meet my fiancé. This is Doctor Selene Aiza.” Mitchell had neared to greet her, accepting her hand.
Mitchell started. “Seriously? Wow, Mom never said.”
Selene bit her lip. It was nice watching the way she blushed. He hoped he was able to do that for her for many long years to come. “He asked right before you came in,” she replied. Mitchell smiled warmly. “I see. Got ya’ before you could run.” He winked at her easily. Bram noticed the way his brother’s gaze enjoyed Selene. He felt a hot stab of jealousy. He laid down the law quickly before it got out of hand. Even if he did wholeheartedly agree.
“Mitchell, just because I’m in this bed, doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass. She’s mine,” he said with a low grumbled threat.
Mitch raised his hands, laughing. Selene chuckled, shaking her head gently, then she clasped his fingers tighter within her own.
She shot Bram a mischievous glance. “But you know what, I do have a sister.”
“Really?” was Mitch’s quick response, his gaze lightening with interest.
“Thought you didn’t set up people?” he teased her playing along.
She shrugged. “He’s not people. He’s family now. Family is fair game,” she said with a devilish grin.
“Hey, I’m still here,” Mitchell said from the edge of the bed, waving at them. Bram and Selene laughed easily and he relaxed.
They talked for a few minutes, and then Mitchell said he was going to let their mom know he was awake and left them again saying he’d be back after lunch.
Bram was extremely content to just hold her hand. He licked his lips feeling stronger by the minute. “So, how did Rebecca get tied up with Markson anyway?” he asked.
Selene settled into her chair. “It seemed that when you and she had that little argument at the restaurant, you caught someone’s eye and Markson stepped up to offer comfort. The big law type and she fell for it.”
“I’m sorry about that. I had no idea she’d go so crazy in a public place.” He rubbed her skin with his thumb, savoring her soft touch.
“Everyone argues,” she said calmly. “From the report she gave the Chief, she didn’t know she was in trouble until he refused to take her to her hotel. It’s hard to not instinctively trust someone who’s supposed to be on our side.”
“Yes. I can see that. She’s used to getting her own way and being catered to,” he agreed.
“If you want to see her…”
He shook his head, stopping her. “I will call her and see her when I’m ready to. And don’t worry. I’m sure this time she’ll understand it’s over.” He closed his eyes resting for a minute. “So how long am I stuck in here?”
“Not much longer. You are doing good and Doctor Lin said you’re in great health. Which I already knew.”
“You’re not my doctor?” he asked mildly surprised.
“I couldn’t. I’ve been right here or asleep since we brought you in.”
His heart warmed on those words. Her simple expression said everything about how she felt for him, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear it. So he started.
“I love you, Selene. I realized it the night you wanted to keep me away from it all. I love you for everything that you are, the incredible woman, the doctor.” He lifted his hand from hers, holding her face. His heart tripped heavily as her warmth filled him. Her eyes had drifted closed at his touch. “But especially because of what I found.” Her gaze rose to his at the seriousness of his tone. “All my life, I’ve felt like I had a part of me that was lacking. Adrift. When we left to find Markson, I knew I was going to protect you to my last breath. I was going to protect all of you, and I was willing. That is what you meant, isn’t it? About me being your mate?” he finished softly, a mere whisper in the room.
“Yes, Bram,” she replied, her voice thick with tears. “I love you too. You are the man I’ve waited for, my mate, in every sense of the word.”
He swallowed. “Hell, I have got to get out of here,” he groaned searching the room for any escape.
“I want to hold you so badly.”
“I can do something about that,” she said. He dropped his arm and she lifted herself high to hold him close against her. His arms wrapped around her and he felt peace. He had found his heart. He nuzzled her ear. “So tell me something?” She nodded against his shoulder. “This ability you have, does it, you know, pass down?”
He felt her light laughter. “Yes, but we have time. Dad can explain it better. He’s had four of us go through it.”
“Oh boy,” he sighed with a smile, warmed again at her laugh.