I growled and barely held back the shift. “He did that and worse.”
Alex nodded. “Then you did the right thing. Let’s load him into the back of your truck and go from there.”
“We’ll need to be on guard for a while. Who knows if anyone will come looking for this piece of shit. I’d rather us not be caught with our pants down if they do.” Michael leaned over and hefted the carcass over his shoulder. “You owe me for this.”
“Consider this me owing you all one. Take his body down to the river. Leave him beside it, where the animals can find him and finish him. I’ve got to get back to Leila. She’s convinced herself that this is all her fault.”
Alex patted me on the shoulder. “Take care of her. Elizabeth informed me that if I had anything to do with running her off, she’d skin my hide and make a bearskin rug for the bedroom. It seems your mate and mine took a liking to each other. Take care of that leg, too.”
I looked down at the reminder that I’d almost lost the fight because I wasn’t focused. “Piece of shit caught me off guard.”
“You mean with your pants literally down. Couldn’t help notice that you two seemed a little eager to get home tonight.”
I thumped him on the back and headed towards the house. “You’re not all wrong, brother. Leave the truck back at the main house if it’s easier. Thanks for this.”
Alex gave me one last nod and then joined the others. I made my way inside to check on my mate. I didn’t give a fuck what happened to the body of that piece of trash gator. It could’ve rotted behind my cabin for all I cared. I just wanted to get inside and take care of Leila.
I heard the shower running and stepped into the bathroom. The shower door was steamed up, but I could see her silhouette leaning against the wall, looking defeated. I opened the door and climbed in. “Scoot over.”
She turned to face me and tears spilled down her face. “I’m so sorry, Matt.”
I quickly rinsed all of the blood off of my body so it would be one less reminder for her. Then, I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. “You didn’t do that. I’m glad it’s over, if anything. You don’t have to hide anymore. You can do whatever you want here.”
She rested her cheek against my chest. “I was terrified. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I rubbed her back, soothing her. “You won’t ever have to find out. Everything’s okay, Leila. How about we wash up and then go to bed? It’s been a long night.”
She nodded and silently grabbed a bar of soap. With shaking hands, she took her time washing me. Her eyes moved over me, taking time examining me to make sure I was okay.
My leg was already closing up and any pain was long forgotten, so it was hard for me to keep my body from responding to her movements. I didn’t want to push for sex when she was upset, even if I did think it might help. I just remained silent as she washed me, happy to be tormented by my mate.
CHAPTER 19: Matt
Leila looked up at me with wide eyes and then looked back down at my leg. “You’re healed!”
“I told you I’d heal up. When are you gonna believe me? I’m okay, baby.”
She seemed to deflate against my chest. “I knew it, but I just got so freaked out, Matt. I can’t lose you. I love you.”
Hearing the words made everything right with the world. Nothing else mattered, except being with her for the rest of my life. I could work as a farm hand at the ranch, for all I cared. As long as I got to come home and hear my mate say that she loved me, I’d die a happy man.
I picked her up and held her against me. “I love you, too, mate.”
She kissed me, pinning her chest to mine. “Make me forget, Matt. I just want to think about you and me tonight.”
I stepped out of the shower, and carried her to our bed. I would do anything she asked of me, but this request seemed like a gift to me.
Her body glistened as water rolled down her soft skin, marking trails that I followed with my lips. I covered her in kisses, tasting her everywhere. She writhed against me, silently asking me for more until her pleas became louder.
I buried my face between her thighs, licking and sucking her until she climaxed. I drove her to orgasm after orgasm, determined to make her forget anything but the small and intimate world that only the two of us shared.
I slipped two fingers into her body and curled them, finding the spot that made her scream when she came. Her liquid flowed freely, coating my fingers and lips. I was a happy man, content in feasting on her body for the rest of the night.
Leila eventually pushed me away, though. She clamped her legs together and used my hair to pull me up to her so she could kiss me. Her tongue slipped into my mouth and she gripped my shoulders so hard I could feel her nails digging into my skin.