For a second, Scarlett didn’t react to my words. Then she put a hand to her mouth as if she was trying to hold back her emotions. Her eyes were wide and her chest heaved. I decided to press on. To admit things to her I would have never done so before, but she needed to get stupid shit like we’d leave her out of her head. She was it for the four of us.
“I’ve spent almost my whole damn life wishing you were mine. It might not have looked that way to you, but it’s the truth. Why do you think I turned down all the girls at school? Why do you think I wasn’t interested? The only person I’ve ever looked at and thought ‘she’s it for me’ is you.”
Unable to help myself, I cupped her cheek, drawing her closer to me.
“I’ve been trying so hard to give you what you need. To give you parts of me no one else has had before. You’re the only person I trust with them. I am yours. I will be yours for as long as you want me. For as long as you need me in your life, little wisp.”
I should tell her I loved her. I should fucking say it, but the words wouldn’t come. It didn’t matter. I hoped I was getting my point across. She didn’t need to worry or be afraid we’d walk away. We’d fought to get her back for ten years. I couldn’t allow another ten years to pass without her in our lives. Without her by our sides.
I need you. I really fucking need you. Damn it, Scarlett. I’m in love with you.
“You… you… you liked me, liked me?”
“Yes.”
“Holy shit.”
“I never thought you ever saw me that way… saw any of us like that. West didn’t even tell us about you and him until recently. I had no idea.”
She blinked.
“I told Frankie. He knew I loved West.”
I half-smiled.
“I know that now.”
She put her hand to mine on her cheek and pulled it away. Her eyes went to it as she fit her small fingers between my much larger ones. It reminded me of how she’d said she liked the way my hands fit around her. I had to stop myself from smiling at that little detail.
“I’m sorry I kept all this shit from you, but I meant what I said. You are what I need. Nothing more. Nothing less. Just you.”
My little wisp of a woman stared up at me with conflicting emotions racing across her face.
“Can I ask one thing about you knowing my medical history?”
“You can ask me anything.”
Not like I was planning on keeping anything else from her.
“Is that why all of you decided it was okay to just…” she faltered and looked away.
“What was okay?”
“To not use protection and not even talk to me about it.”
I tried not to smile.
“Yes. You never brought it up either.”
She met my eyes again and gave me a disapproving look.
“Oh yeah, because that was the first thing on my mind when I woke up tied to a bed naked. I wonder if they’re going to use condoms.”
I tucked my free hand around the back of her head.
“Do you want us to use them?”
“No!”
I leant closer.
“So… you like it when we—”
She slapped a hand over my mouth.
“Do not say it.”
I removed her hand and captured her mouth with mine. She didn’t protest. Her body melted into mine as I wrapped an arm around her back. Her fingers clasped the front of my coat. The little moan sounding in the back of her throat made me want to shove her up against a tree and put my hand down her jeans. I wanted to make her come on my fingers whilst she rubbed herself all over me. However, I didn’t think it was a very appropriate thing to do in a cemetery where anyone could come upon us.
“Drake,” she moaned against my mouth.
The temptation was almost too much. I had to pull away and catch my damn breath.
“Take me home,” she whispered, her little fists still clenched around my coat.
“Have you forgiven me for keeping another secret?”
She nodded, releasing my coat and stroking her hands down my chest.
“Then let’s—”
I heard rustling from behind me. My body went on high alert. I whipped around, shoving Scarlett behind me. And for good fucking reason. Three men appeared out of the trees. They did not look like they were here to exchange pleasantries with us, judging by the way one of them cracked his knuckles. One stepped forward, twirling a knife around his fingers.
“What do you want?” I ground out.
Scarlett peered out from behind me. I gave her a warning look before eyeing the men again.