He tapped my nose. “This crinkles right before you unleash one of those murderous smiles.” Lowering his mouth to my cheek, he said just above a whisper, “Though it warns me of what’s to come, it still stops my heart…” He kissed the crest of my cheekbone and leaned back. “Every fucking time.”

My cheeks flushed and stretched, and I laughed until his own mouth slackened into a beautiful smile in response. My smile fell as I gave into the urge to devour that mouth with mine.

Before we became too swept away, I gripped his shoulders and pressed my head to the side of his, my eyes still closed. “I want to know,” I whispered. “I need to know that no matter what I tell you, you will still feel the same.”

“Look at me.” I opened my eyes to find that green orb burning bright. “I’m a wolf, wildflower, one with a million atrocities under my belt. I’ve seen and done too much for anything you reveal to scare me away.”

I wanted to believe that. Desperately. “Swear it?”

Curling my hair behind my ear, he clasped my cheek and jaw to study me intently as he traced the arch. “Aster, maybe you should just tell me what happened. Let it out so it stops plaguing you.”

“I swear I will, but right now, I just need to know that I won’t ever have to go back. That you will still want me to stay.” I swallowed. “With you.”

“Nothing and no one will ever keep me from you.” His eye searched mine. “I swear it on my life.”

A weight unlocked in my chest, escaping me in a rushed exhale. I nodded, my eyes damp as I leaned forward to press my lips to his. “Thank you.”

“Don’t ever thank me.” He brushed his fingers down my neck to my arm, gooseflesh rising in their wake. “You’re mine. My mate. I’ll give you whatever you need, always and gladly.”

I reached between us to his length and gripped it. “And what do you need, wolf?”

He sucked in a breath through his teeth, then groaned when I rubbed myself over him. “Just you, wildflower.” He brought my mouth to his as I brought him into my body. “Can I keep you?”

“Please do.”

Scythe’s snarl woke me before he shifted me from his chest to sit upright in bed.

Gently, he shook my shoulder, though I was well and truly awake. He whispered, “Get dressed.” Snatching his dagger from the nightstand, he left the room while pulling on a pair of pants.

I didn’t ask questions. I reached for the tunic I’d abandoned before heading to Olivianna’s and put it on. There was no time for propriety. Scythe was more than on edge. He was prepared to spill blood.

The door to the cottage crashed open.