Maybe he just saw my potential instead of the broken girl he held but it didn’t matter. There was nothing more perfect than this moment.
When my feet touched the ground, I lifted my head and met the warmth in his gaze. My heart did a funny little stutter and I could swear that it was confirmation that Patriot was the kind of man I needed in my life. He was okay to trust. Even better, he was okay to love.
“I believe I can do anything when you’re around.”
“That’s because I’m fucking amazing,” he teased.
Believe it or not, I agreed.
“Your lips are distracting, sunshine.”
“Is that so?” I asked, laying on my side and facing Patriot on the bed.
Rael and Wraith caught up to us on Hwy 95 after we kissed but Patriot promptly remembered the danger and insisted that we return to the Crossroads. The moment we could be alone he led me down the hall and into his room, closing the door with a soft click. Shucking his boots and cut, he flopped on the bed and patted the mattress, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.
“Is this an attempt at seduction?” I asked, sliding my hand slowly across the mattress to reach the fingers inching in my direction. Our palms met and he intertwined our fingers, giving my own a gentle squeeze.
“Is it working? I was just hoping for another kiss from those sweet, soft lips of yours but I’ll take anything I can get.”
Giggling, I scooted a little closer. “Nope. I’m completely immune to your charms.”
“Ouch. That’s a low blow to a guy’s ego.”
Snorting, I couldn’t help but tease him. “Brings you back into the same realm as the rest of us.”
He smiled wide and didn’t deny the fact that he was cocky and we both knew it. I had a feeling he toned it down for me and it was endearing.
“You look like you’re about ready to ask me something.”
“I am.”
He groaned, exaggerating as my hand was released and he flopped onto his back. “Women and their endless questions.”
I smacked his chest and he quickly leaned to the side, snatching me up as he settled my body over his. My eyes widened when I realized I was laying half on top of him.
“You can move at any time. Anything makes you uncomfortable all you have to do is tell me. We can even have a safe word if you want but I want to hold you, baby. I’ve been wanting to for a long time.”
“I’m okay right now. I think.”
“But?”
“The safe word thing is a good idea.”
He adjusted, sitting up and propping his back against the headboard. I remained on his lap, curling into his chest. Patriot’s arm kept a loose hold around me as he played with a long strand of my hair.
“What’s a good safe word?”
Took me a few minutes but I finally thought of one. “Flag.”
“Flag?” A big, throaty laugh vibrated his chest. “Okay. Flag is it.”
“Can I ask you something else?”
“Always.”
My mouth opened but before I could ask there was a knock on the door and Rael barged in, dragging my sister with him.
“Well, fuck,” Patriot cursed, glaring at Rael.