I arch an eyebrow. “Our future?”
“You’re stuck with me, witch, ’til death do us part.”
Swallowing hard, I let his words fully hit me.’Til death do us part.
Sensing my emotions through the bond, his expression falters. “That a problem?”
“No. I just… you’ve seen what happens to those who care for me. What happened to Mal.”
“Lucy is dead—gone. I will not suffer the same fate as the warlock, Bronywyn.”
“Lucy already killed you once—”
“And I came back. I’m a resilient bastard. Killing me is no easy feat.”
I hear what he’s saying, the conviction in his tone, but a small part of me will never cease worrying that each day will be our last. And perhaps that’s not special to us. Perhaps everyone I know is simply living in the moment they have.
Jack was proof that life can be snuffed out in the blink of an eye for any one of us.Willa.“How’s Willa?”
“I promise I will fill you in on everything tomorrow. For tonight, let’s just pretend we’re normal.”
“Normal, huh? What is that like?”
He chuckles. “I’m not entirely sure, but let’s give it our best shot.”
“I can do that,” I tell him. “As long as you promise to continue being a resilient bastard.”
His grin spreads. “You got it.” He takes my hand then leans down and presses a kiss to the top. My breath hitches when he casts his gaze up at me, lips still lingering near my skin. So many times over the years, he’s done this, but now…now that I know what his lips feel like on mine…on other parts of my body…my reaction is much less innocent.
“Go get a shower, and I’ll make sure you have food when you’re done.” He steps away from me, but I cling to his hand.
“Join me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“You’re still healing.”
“No, I’m not. Physically, my body is fine. You gave me blood?”
He nods. “After Rainey shot you.”
“Then, see, I’m fine.” I tug on him again. “Come with me.”
He swallows hard, hesitating for another moment. I’m prepared to argue my case, but thankfully, that’s not necessary. He links his fingers with mine, and together, we move into the bathroom.
I turn toward him and strip out of the gown. It pools at my feet, a puddle of cotton, leaving me bare in front of him.
Tarnley groans, his pupils dilating.
“Your turn,” I tell him as I step forward and grab the front of his shirt. One by one, I undo the buttons with him standing still as a statue before me. Then, I drop to my knees and slowly slide his slacks and boxers down.
As I move back up his body, I take my time, letting my skin gently caress his as I stand. Our gazes meet as we stand before each other, completely bare, nothing left to hide.
“I didn’t know you had this.” I reach out and run my fingers over the ink tattooed up his side.
“Started on it about a decade ago,” he tells me. “I add to it every year I manage not to kill anyone.” He snorts. “Guess this year is a bust.”
I swallow hard. “You haven’t killed anyone innocent. That counts for something.”
“Not how I work,” he tells me. “It’s a slippery slope, and the past few months, I came closer to crossing that line than I have in nearly a century.”
My chest tightens with guilt because I know it’s my fault. Our bond was affected in a way I hadn’t considered. Because of that, I inadvertently made a decision for both of us. “I’m so sorry, Tarnley. I know I’ve said it before, but I want you to know how incredibly sorry I am that I stole your choice from you.”
His fingers gently caress my chin as he tilts my head up to look at him. “We’re done with I’m sorry.” When his lips meet mine, the rest of the world fades away. The bathroom, house, our pasts, they vanish, leaving only him. And only me.