Page 48 of Same One
“If you and I are in a weird spot? Talk to me. If I disappear, don’t overthink it and convince yourself I’m being like your ex. If I’m not messaging back, I don’t have reception or I’m a wolf. Those are the two things that will keep me from a quick response. If we are arguing? I might be pissing you off, Tru, that’s going to happen, but I’m not doing the all-night fight stuff. Fix it with me. Please.”
She nodded. Did he understand? Did he know that all of this was what she needed as well? That all of this openness and stating directly what he wanted was right in line with what she wanted? That his setting rules on the level their arguments were allowed to get to put something at ease within her?
This felt like a team. It felt like they were getting on the same page. This felt like openness, and vulnerability. This felt like certainty.
This felt like healing.
And in this moment she knew what he was capable of.
Tabian could heal. He was mature and well-spoken, direct, and cool-headed when things went down.
She didn’t realize until now how very much she had needed that in her life.
Her nervous system settled with his reassuring words.
The fight or flight in her disintegrated.
She was just calm and hopeful now.
“I swore I would never trust anyone again,” she whispered, resting the palm of her hand against his cheek.
“That’s just a challenge for a man like me,” Tabian murmured.
“Don’t get me to trust you and then hurt me, okay?”
A slow smile stretched his lips. “Your ex took your friends, right?”
The hurt at those few words sliced right through her. She nodded. “He needed me to be alone, so no one could tell me I deserved better.”
“Mmm. I sent a text to all of the girls in my Pack last night, and they will be reaching out. And before you think I’ve got some angle, you should know they will absolutely tell you if you deserve better and I need to get my shit together.” He shrugged. “They’re the only girls I know, and as annoying as they are sometimes, they’re also good women, and they take care of their own. I’ll get them for you. They can teach you the feminine, soft side of Pack life, and werewolves, and humans navigating the Pack. They’re already planning a girls night for next week.”
Her heart was hammering against her chest, and her eyes were burning again. Did he understand what he was offering her? He was finding ways to fix the things he didn’t break. He had listened, and was thoughtful, and didn’t feel threatened by her having a life outside of him.
Tabian was a terrifying wolf, but a very good man.
“You’re good, Tru. You’re okay. I’m going to make sure you’re okay.”
She leaned in and kissed his lips, her arm tightening around his neck to keep him close. Tabian’s hands went to her hips, and he deepened the kiss, pressed his tongue past her lips and dragged her body against his. A buzzing sensation spread through her chest and across her skin, and her worries faded with each lap of his tongue. Oh, he could be gentle with her feelings, but he could also consume her body and turn her mind off completely.
His hands gripped her back, her hips, slid to her legs and squeezed gently there, as if he was exploring her. With each massaging touch, she disappeared farther into him.
Tru rolled her hips against his, and he grunted softly, then pulled her hips to urge her to do it again.
He ended their kiss suddenly and ground out, “I want to fuck you, Tru. I didn’t like being separated last night like that. I want to own you right now and teach you a lesson for blocking me. I know you’ll think I said all those nice things to get in your pants now though.” He relaxed back against the chair and let off a steadying breath. “I can wait until you beg for it.”
His eyes were so bright right now.
“You gonna treat me like a little frightened animal?”
“Exactly. You can pick the pace, Tru. Once you beg though, be warned, it’ll be hard to keep me off you. I’m going to want it all the time.”
A warm, fuzzy feeling filled her middle and she bit back a smile. That was such a turn-on to a woman like her. It had been so long since she’d felt sexy, but here, with his hands gripping her hips, she felt a power she didn’t recognize.
With a grin, she leaned in and kissed him, rolling her body against his.
“Tru,” he gritted against her lips.
She bit his bottom lip gently, then sucked on it.
