Free Batch (Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) (Desired by a Dragon Book 2) by Terra Wolf, Hailey Storm Page B

for me to speak. “I love you too.”
    Batch pressed his forehead against mine and cupped my face between his strong hands. “I don’t know what I’ve waited longer for, to say those words to you or to hear them come from your lips.”
    “That feeling is mutual,” I breathed.
    “Good, because I meant it when I said I never want to feel that horrible sense of loss again. I can’t. I know how strong I am, Scarlet, and I’m not fucking strong enough to lose you. I won’t survive it. I know that now.”
    My heart stalled out. I wasn’t sure what to say. Hell, I wasn’t sure how to breathe. Thankfully, I didn’t have to say or do anything because in the next instant, Batch kissed me. It was a sweet kiss at first, but then his tongue slipped along my bottom lip. Every part of me grew warm and aroused at the sensation. I opened my mouth, allowing him the access he seemed to crave, and entwined my fingers in his hair.
    “Scarlet,” Batch whispered between kisses. “Marry me.”
    I pulled away so I could stare him in the eye. “Are you serious?”
    “I’m always serious, darlin’.” His thumb skimmed along my bottom lip, but his eyes never wavered from mine. The wry hint of a smile crept across his face. “You know me better than that.”
    I blinked. “Yes.”
    “Yes, what? Yes, you’ll marry me? Or yes, you know me better than that?” His smile faded as the area between his brows puckered.
    I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer to me. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
    “Thank God,” he breathed as he pulled me into his lap.
    His lips pressed against mine in a way that had my nipples hardening and my body yearning for more. I slid my hands over his shoulders and down his back until I was able to get them beneath the soft cotton of his t-shirt. His warm flesh met with my fingertips and wetness pooled between my thighs. Batch lifted off the couch, taking me with him. He started up the stairs, his mouth still working across mine. When we reached the bedroom, he kicked the door closed behind him.
    “Should’ve done that last time.” I nipped at his bottom lip. My hand reached out and twisted the lock on the door. “That too.”
    A rich, low rumble of a laugh bellowed from his chest. “Live and learn, darlin’, live and learn.”
    Batch crossed the room to deposit me on my bed. He hovered above me, staring at me in a tender way. His eyes trailed down me, coming to rest on the stain tarnishing my white dress. Darkness burned in his eyes, and I knew the events of the night were passing through his mind again.
    “Let’s get you out of this and cleaned up.” He slipped off me to help me into a sitting position. His touch was delicate and gentle as though I was the most fragile thing he’d ever come across.
    I slid out of bed and tugged the nasty dress over my head. After I tossed it on the floor, I crossed the room to my dresser and reached for the pouch of moist towelettes I used to wash my face before bed. They were cold as I rubbed them across my chest, cleaning myself up. The moment between us was ruined, and I was more pissed off about it than I should be.
    Batch came up behind me. He unlocked my bra and slipped it off my shoulders. It fell to the floor. I stared at him in the mirror above my dresser, wondering what his next move would be. His hard body pressed against my backside, causing his sheer masculine presence to overwhelm me and steal the breath from my lungs. I could feel his erection pressing against my lower back. He reached out and took the pouch from my hand. I watched him as he gathered a few wipes before setting it back on the dresser where it had been. His eyes locked with mine in the mirror while he moved my hair off my shoulders and began to wipe the remnants of blood across my skin away. I closed my eyes, allowing him to clean me. When he was finished, he cupped my breast and rubbed his thumb over my nipple until it hardened beneath his touch. A moan sounded from deep