The Twin Moon (The Moon Series) (28 page)

“I thought I’d lost you.”
Ian hunched down bending to her level so he could look in her eyes, but her gaze remained on his feet.

Andy took a deep breath then raised her gaze to his.
“You nearly did Ian.
I came here running away from you.”

“I didn’t mean that.
I meant just now.
I thought he’d hurt you beyond repair.”
Ian chest ached at what he’d seen.
He was sure he had lost his mate in that moment and it had caused him pain like he had never imagined before.

“Oh, no.”
Andy glanced away.
“He’s done worse.
I’m stronger than that.”

“Are you afraid of me?”
Ian had to ask.
He had to know if she feared him now that she had seen him half turned.
He prayed she would accept him.
The pain of losing her would be more than he could
bear
,
but he would walk away if he had to.
If she hated him he would leave her.
He wouldn’t subject her to his world.
Fear itched at his skin just as his fur had.

“I was at first.
I thought about a lot of things since I left you at your sister
’
s though.”
Andy looked up at him now and reached a hand up to trace a line over his jaw.
“I know we haven’t known each other that long, but I love you, Ian.
I know you would never hurt me and I trust you.”

Ian’s heart was so full
of joy it could have exploded in his chest at her words.
She loved him.
His mate.
Loved him.
He wrapped his arms around her drawing her close to him and bent his head slanting his mouth over hers and kissed her with every bit
of
love and tenderness that was inside of him.
As
his mouth moved with her, she opened up and
,
his tongue moved over hers in a soft but urgent caress.
Ian wanted to roar to the top of his lungs and claim his mate right there on the floor.
He held himself in check though and just kissed Andy.
When his lips finally left her he was breathless.

“You are the most beautiful female I have ever met.
Did you know that?”
Ian brushed his knuckles down her face, just to touch the silkiness if her skin. “I love you so much and I promise to be the best possible mate for you.”

Andy nodded her head and leaned into his chest.
“Ian?”

“What is it, baby?”
Ian kissed her hair as he held her close in his arms just reveling in the warmth of her body against his.

“Take me to bed.
I’m exhausted.”
Andy crumpled then in Ian’s arms, her legs seemed to just go out from under her.

Ian picked her up and carried her to the bedroom to tuck her in.
As he stretched out next to her he contemplated all the ways his life had changed
and suddenly realized he’d been
tamed.
He
chuckled to himself before falling asleep with Andy
’s warm body
wrapped in his arms.

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