“I have your back the same way I always did. Trust me?” he asks.
“I want to, but I can’t forget that you took me from the life I wanted.”
“I asked to lead that team to assure your safety,” he admits. “I don’t regret that, but I knew it
would cause problems in our relationship. I accept that. I’m sorry it hurt you, but your safety will always come first.”
“You chose to come get me?” I whisper.
He sniffs. “I didn’t trust anyone else.”
I soften as I remember the aggression and disrespect from other enforcers on the retrieval mission. His instincts were right.
He takes my hand. “Never forget we’re in this together.”
“I won’t.” I’m reassured by his steady presence, despite my misgivings.
“You set the pace, and I’ll follow your lead.” His word has always been trustworthy.
I bite the inside of my cheek and nod.
A throat clears. “It’s getting late and someone needs to be in bed soon.”
Cadoc chuckles, and I scowl at Kirk.
“Yes, Healer,” he says. Squeezing my hand, Cadoc kisses my forehead and steps away. “Sweet dreams.”
I admire the fit of his breeches under the brown tunic as he leaves. The man has the thighs of a rugby player.
“Are you still feeling okay?” Kirk trails the back of his knuckles down his arm.
“Yes, the food helped a lot.”
“Good.”
His shoulders relax, and I admire his toned physique. His black tunic is snug over his biceps and muscular chest.
“My life has always been healing. I saw it as my purpose, so I’m rusty in the relationship department.”
Clearing my throat, I give a shaky smile. “It’s been a while for me too.”
He grins. The wide smile shows off perfect pearly whites. I can’t help but swoon a little.
“Guess we’re on equal footing, then. I like that.” He gives me a slow once over.
He curls his hand around the back of his neck. “There are some questions I need to ask as a medical precaution given our mating is approaching.”
Mating with one wolf is daunting. Four is going to be terrifying.
I gulp. “Go ahead.”
“Are you a virgin?”
I laugh at the unexpected question. “No. Fell took care of that ages ago.”
He sighs in relief. “Okay, that’s good. I mean, it’s going to make things easier.”
I love the respect he’s trying to show me.
“I know what you mean,” I say.
“Have you ever taken a knot?”
“No. Back then, Fell and I wanted to save that for our mating,” I admit.
He winces. “I’m sorry.”
“Shit happens, right?” I force a wobbly smile.
“Doesn’t make it hurt any less or make it easier to live through.” There’s a deep sadness in his voice. I see a wealth of devastation in his eyes. This man understands loss.
“True. I’m not sure what you want from me, Kirk.” I lay the cards on the table, ready to make things as clear as possible. There are too many of us involved, to be coy.
“A companion, friendship, and later more.” He tilts his head. “This isn’t going to be a duty for me. I want to make it real.”
“I think we can get there in time.” I answer honestly.
“For now, that’s plenty. Time for you to rest,” His voice changes, like some internal flip switches and he becomes more like his stereotypical alpha designation.
