Page 113 of Pretty Little Shadow
"Don't pull out. Don't leave, either," she whispered.
"I won't." My lips brushed her temple. "Whoever you are and whatever you decide, I love you."
"Don't say that."
"It's true. Rae. Raven. Shadow." I pulled her closer, burying my cock a little deeper inside her. "You're still the same snarky little assassin who stole my Chinese food and had to be convinced to try a corn dog."
She laughed. The sound was slightly watery. "I guess I am."
"You are. Where you came from and what you call yourself doesn't change that. Neither does the color of your skin, eyes, or hair. You're gorgeous, you're fun, and you're wickedly smart, baby. I love you. You'll figure this out. If you want help, I'm right here."
"You're going to give me the biggest head." She dashed tears away with the base of her palm.
"Good. Youshouldhave a big head. You're really fucking cool, and you're mated to the sexiest man in the city. Do you know how many times I won that award? I think I'm at ninety-nine. Callum fucking bribed someone one year."
She sputtered a laugh, elbowing me lightly in the side. "Shut up, Dare."
"You love me too, even if you're not ready to admit it." I caught her hand, lifting it to my lips and kissing her knuckles. "There's no rush. We've got nothing but time."
"You're being way too nice to me."
"I'm just getting started."
She sighed, tipping her head back and kissing me lightly before pulling away. "I'll decide what to do tomorrow."
"There's no rush."
She made a noncommittal sound, but fell asleep quickly. With her in my arms, I dozed off too.
twenty-one
RAVEN?
Ididn'tdecidewhat to do the next day.
Darius and I played video games during most of our waking hours. I sat on his lap, and only got up when he carried me to the kitchen and cooked for us. While he cooked, I sat on the countertop, and we talked about food.
It was blissful.
We did the same thing for another day.
And another.
And another.
During the next, Kat and Callum showed up with a box of the truffles I loved, alongside a card that proclaimed they were awelcome to the familypresent. She flung her arms around me for a massive hug, and my eyes burned.
I knew I was putting off a decision.
Darius did too, but he didn't seem to care how long I put it off for. I kind of loved him for that.
Callum and Dare hung out in the kitchen and talked about some issue they were having with the Cabinet. Kat and I plopped down on the couch with the truffles. I'd eaten all of hers, so I snuck her a few of mine.
"What's going on?" she whispered. "I heard through the grapevine that you guys were having issues."
"Who's the grapevine?" I whispered back.
"Liv, mostly. She's all up in everyone's business. Niall pretends to be all innocent, but he's just as nosy as she is."
