Page 56 of Two Years Gone

I laughed and turned to her, propping myself up on my elbow. I laid my hand on her cheek and said softly, “Ella, I plan to care for you for the rest of my life.”

Ella smiled. For a moment, I thought I saw desire in her eyes.

“Goodnight, Zane,” she turned around and went to sleep.

“Goodnight, Ella,” I whispered.

That night as we lay in bed, I was about to kiss her when she pulled away and went to sleep. It stung. I wanted her to be close to me. I wanted to touch her, to hold her, and she wouldn’t let me.

But when I woke in the morning and she was in my arms, I smiled.

I lay there holding her, gently pushing my face into her hair and smelling her sweet scent. It was intoxicating, and I could feel my body reacting to her.

Ella stirred in my arms, and I didn’t move, hoping this moment wouldn’t end. She stiffened, and I knew she was awake. I closed my eyes, pretending to sleep as she slowly turned and faced me.

Silence.

I opened one eye cautiously to see her smirk and push my arm off her.

“I knew you were awake,” she giggled.

I wrapped my arm around her again, quickly pulling her body closer to mine.

“Maybe I was enjoying you being near,” I whispered in my husky morning voice.

She inhaled sharply. I didn’t want to push my luck, but I also didn’t want to let go.

“Spend the day with me,” I whispered as my eyes met hers. I could see her hesitation, so I gave my best puppy-dog eyes.

Ella laughed before rolling her eyes.

“Okay…”

I smiled and kissed her nose before hopping out of bed.

Chapter 26

ELLA

I stretched and rolled over in bed, savoring the warmth and comfort for a few more minutes while Zane showered.

The bathroom door opened, and I opened my eyes to see the beautiful man standing in front of me: tall, muscular, chiseled, and damn hot.

I could feel my face blush as I gazed at him and the few glistening droplets of water gliding down his broad chest and arms.

“Like what you see, huh?” Zane smirked.

I met his eyes and hummed.

“No, I was just, uh…”

I trailed off when he walked out of the room and dropped his towel, revealing his sculpted backside.

“Oh my gosh,” I gasped, quickly averting my eyes away as my wolf just about screamed.

I made my way into the bathroom and took a shower, trying to calm my racing heart and my body’s involuntary arousal.

I shut my eyes as the water ran over me, hoping my heart would catch up with my head as I mumbled to myself, “This won’t last. One day he’ll wake up and realize you’re still an omega.”