Page 174 of Endless Anger

I’d figured Alistair would have the harder time adjusting to the fact that Lucy wanted to finish her education at Avernia, but in truth, Cora was initially completely against it. Even now, it’s clear the collar thing is little more than a ploy to lure Lucy back to Aplana, and I can’t say I’m against the idea.

I don’t want Lucy here either, but I refuse to make decisions for her anymore, even if they’re supposed to be in her best interest. If I want this relationship to work, the trust between us has to go both ways, and I can’t intervene every time something comes up.

Except right now.

“If we keep this thing,” I say, unhooking it, “I’m just going to want to see it on.”

Lucy blinks. “On what?”

My hands whip out, bringing the open collar around the back of Lucy’s neck. I drag her to me, grinning wolfishly. “You, pup.”

“Jesus Christ,” Cora says, stomping over. She grabs the collar, then bends and gives her daughter a kiss on the forehead. “Logan and I are going to get out of here before things get any weirder. Love you, baby girl.”

“Love you, Mom,” Lucy mutters, shoving me back until they’re at the door.

Cora turns, pausing in the doorway as Logan slips through it. She mouths something to me, protectiveness flaring in her golden gaze, and I nod.

Keep her safe.

I’d die in order to do so.

When the two are gone, shutting Lucy and me inside the apartment alone, she slings her arms around my neck and kisses me hard.

“You’re a pervert,” she says against my lips, grinning. “My dad is going to throw a fit when Mom tells him what you said.”

“They’ll live.” I back her over to the faux-leather sofa in the living room, lowering her onto it and climbing between her legs. “Besides, I didn’t tell them everything I would’ve done to you in that collar. Like…I don’t know, bending you over the arm of this couch and rutting into you like a wolf in heat. Coming deep inside your sweet, pretty little pussy until you had tears in your eyes and were begging me not to stop.”

I nuzzle her neck, nipping at her skin, and she giggles.

“Fair,” she whispers, running her fingers through my hair. “You were a very good boy.”

“I can be even better,” I tell her in a soft voice, slipping my hand beneath her shirt, feeling her nipple pucker under my touch. “Good thing you asked me to move in, huh?”

She pauses, pulling back. Confusion blankets her beautiful glacial eyes. “Wait, what? I didn’t…” I just look at her until her jaw falls open, her entire face brightening. “You want to live here with me?”

“Do I need to beg?”

“Well, I wouldn’t be opposed…”

I kiss her again and again until we’re a dizzy, panting heap of warm, damp flesh. That isn’t something I’ll ever tire of for as long as I live.

“Does this make you my boyfriend?” she asks as I drag my teeth along her throat.

“I’ll be whatever you want me to be, baby.”

“Boyfriend it is. We can work up to other stuff maybe.” She sighs contentedly, stroking my hair as I make my way to her chest. When she feels the Saniderm on my neck, she freezes, tugging at my shirt. “What is that?”

Sitting up, I pick at the bandage until a corner comes loose, and then I tear it off the rest of the way, wincing at the slight bite of pain as dry ink and plasma are loosened.

“Is that mybite mark?” Lucy asks, eyes wide as she smooths her fingers over the tattoo.

“You left your mark on my heart a long, long time ago,” I say, kissing her fingertips. “Just thought I’d make the impact a little more obvious.”

And when she seals our mouths once more, I really lean in to the sensation of being in her arms. Of never having to leave them.

Because when I’m here, tangled up in her moonlight, my anger doesn’t feel so endless.