Free Dark Forest (Secret Blood, Book 1) by Emma Weylin Page A

caught her up in his arms. “He’s gone. He can’t hurt you again.”
    She turned in his arms. Her face pressed against his chest before she pulled back. Her nose scrunched up. “Can I freak out after we’ve showered?”
    He walked with her into the bathroom. He removed pants he had no idea how they’d gotten on him, and then helped her out of her clothes before turning on the water. When it was the right temperature, he stepped into the tub, and pulled her in with him. He closed the curtain, and let the water wash away the horror of the night. He wrapped his arms tight around her and pressed a kiss to her temple. “It doesn’t matter that you couldn’t kill him. You survived until I could get to you.” He used gently lifted her chin so he could look into her beautiful eyes. He dipped his head to brush a soft kiss over her mouth. He needed the way her naked body pressed against his, and he was beyond asking how it was even possible. Rose was finally his. “I know he scared you, but Rose, if someone shoots me, I won’t die either.”
    She made a soft squeak, and then hid her face against his chest as the water washed over them. “I-I hadn’t thought of it like that.”
    He held her until the water ran clear. “Smile for me, Rose.”
    She lifted her head, and her mouth curved in a pathetic attempt.
    He lowered his head and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I love you.”
    Then a smile did bloom across her face. “I guess I can’t be upset when the town hero is in love with me.”
    “Even if they don’t know it,” he murmured and tasted her mouth again.
    “But it’s true.” She slid her hands down his back and cupped his ass. “You saved me, and found Kiera alive, and you stopped Julian, and you slayed the big bad wolf. They are going to treat you like royalty when we get back.” She stretched up and kissed his chin. “Jones took care of the wolf rumor with some story about a reintroduction of wolves in the area. They donated everything we’ll need until you can get back on your feet. Aiden, they love you.”
    While it did send a spark of warmth through him to hear it, the town’s love wasn’t something he ever cared to have. He touched his nose to hers. “And what about you, Rose? Do you love me?”
    She captured his face between her hands and pulled him down to her level. “I love you. I always have.”
    They took their time washing each other, and just being together, until they were both ready to get out of the hot spray of water. Aiden got out first and wrapped a towel low on his hips. He wrapped one around Rose after she turned the water off and got out of the tub.
    She grinned up at him. “We need to do that more often, only maybe we should include sex before we get out.”
    Damn he loved her. He pulled her in close and angled his head. His mouth hovered next to her ear, and his voice was a low, thick whisper. “Marry me. Be my mate forever.”
    Her skin shivered, and then her hands splayed out over his chest before they molded over his shoulders. “Yes. I-I want to do the bite you talked about. It connects us more, right?”
    “Yes,” he said in a raw whisper. Hot damn! Control. He needed control or he could fuck this up. His canines grew, and claws formed. He scraped his fangs against her throat once. This was so wrong, but he couldn’t not do it. He held her head in place, so if she struggled, her throat wouldn’t get ripped before he could pull out. Then he banded his other arm tight around her. His fangs sunk into her flesh, and she screamed.
    Her little body shook against him, but she didn’t try to push free. The rapid beat of her heart sent hot waves of blood into his mouth, and he almost gagged. Not because of the usual horrid taste of human blood, but because Rose’s was honey spiced. It was warm, and it was sweet, and he wanted as much of it as he could get.
    It was wrong.
    So very, very wrong to want her blood like this. He held her tight, not wanting to cause any more