Page 89 of Poet & Protector

When he reached for me, I scrambled away. “Don’t. I’m poison now, Nev. You’re going to get hurt if you don’t stay away.”

“There’s no way in hell I’m staying away from you,” he snarled.

I jumped to my feet. All I could think about was keeping Nev safe, and the only way I could protect him was to convince him we couldn’t be together.

“You’re not going to throw your life away in some delusional act of chivalry,” I argued. “We’re over. There isn’t another choice.”

“That’s not happening.” He rose and closed in on me. “You’re mine.”

I shook my head, baring sharp canines at him. “I’m not worth it.”

“Don’t say that.” He took my face in his hands. “You’re everything to me.”

Leaning in, he kissed me softly before he captured my gaze. “I love you.”

“Nev.” The breath rushed from my lungs.

I’d known I was in love with him for months. From the moment the walls of distrust between us had crumbled, my wolf recognized its mate. Nev and I belonged to each other; it was a truth that sang in my blood whenever I was with him.

But we’d never spoken the words.

“I love you, Mason,” Nev said again. “I will never stop loving you. Logan can go to hell.”

“I love you,” I whispered shakily, my mind consumed by fear. “But I don’t see a way out of this. Not if we want to survive.”

“We’ll figure it out,” he told me. “One day at a time.”

“Nev, we can’t⁠—”

“You’re not getting rid of me.” He nuzzled my cheek then nipped my jaw. “Don’t ever try to break us up again.”

I relented. How could I not? “I won’t if you kiss me.”

His lips found mine. The kiss started out tender, reassuring, but soon we were devouring each other. Each stroke of his tongue and caress of his fingers drove Logan further and further away. I could feel Nev’s love every time he tasted me, touched me. It made me believe there could be a chance we would find a way to escape if we lived for each other. If we never forgot that love mattered more than anything else.

My hands were beneath Nev’s shirt, molded against his hard chest. He was gripping my ass, grinding his hips into mine. We were quickly losing control and I didn’t care.

“Uh, guys?”

My eyelids fluttered open and I saw Ansel ducking into the space. His jaw dropped when he caught sight of us.

“Shit!” He politely averted his gaze and cleared his throat. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Really sorry.”

Nev eased away from me, though he kept his arm around my waist. “No problem, Ansel. What’s up?”

He spoke casually, but the huskiness in his voice made me smirk.

“I just thought you should know it’s been a while,” Ansel replied. “I know I found this place for you guys, but maybe it’s not a good idea to stay too long? Again, sorry.”

“You’re right,” I told him. “It was smart to come get us.”

“Yes.” Nev offered Ansel a reassuring smile. “Thanks, An.”

He beamed at us. “Okay, cool.”

“We’ll be right behind you,” Nev added.

Ansel turned and ducked through the scaffolding. Nev started after him and I followed. When we reached the narrow space that led out of our hiding place, I grabbed Nev’s hand and tugged him back.