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And once again, despite the night we’d had and inti that should’ve been onwith Cian I couldn’t think of anythingthat wouldwith the man as irrevocably mine… the man I loved

When he went to offer ers around his thick wrist, s as I shook my head “I’m full You took care of me completely” I could see the way his face softened as I said those words and knew that to hi me comfortable and well taken care of by his hand was a pleasure in itself He was proud about that

He set the tray that rooht over on the bedside table and ainst the headboard And then he opened his ar a word to come to him

I eagerly ainst his side,plains of his abdo on a pectoralarms and buried his nose in my hair I heard hi deep and satisfying, war me

We stayed like that for longme I felt drowsiness start to claiht it, blinking rapidly because I didn’t want this moment to end, where I rapped in Cian’s ar could touch us

“I want tae take ye back tae Scotland” His low but deeply accented voice rousedmyself so I could tilt my head back and look into his face

There was a softness in his eyes, and the sently curved the corner of hisHow could it be possible to feel so them? I felt like I’d asked myself that so many times since Cian had come into my life

How did I get so lucky to have a man like him by my side?

“I want tae take ye back there tae ensure yer safety” The way he looked at me and the tone of his voice toldtae come back here and help Odhran find his mate… just like he came here tae help me find ye”

I was already shaking my head before he even finished “We just found each other, reunited I don’t want to leave you I don’t want you to leaveinof hi me

“Mo ghràidh, I don’t want tae leave ye That’s the last thing I want” His voice was firm, adamant

I could tell how much he wanted me to trust and understand—to believe those words I kne much he needed me to

“But it’s no’ safe for ye here, and I will no’ put yer life in jeopardy” He rested his head back on the wall, his eyes focusing on so ye byback tae ye, it’s like so outslowly “Dramatic, I kno’, but the truth nonetheless”

“I’ your side I’ll stay here with you I’ll help you” The saveto step up But I could also see the disapproval on his face, the denial that he would not allow me to do that “Please,” I whispered “I don’t want to be left alone I don't want that for you either I don’t want to be without you”

Once again I was struck with the ht those words felt “I'ain, harder, firht too” I rose slightly and rolled my shoulders back “I’ll stand by your side to take down the people who are hurting what is now a part ofhe felt ht for him too”

Cian reached out and s my cheek, his smile warm and… proud

“God, how did I survive without ye?”