Chapter 44

• He stood there looking at the cabin, Giana was still sleeping. Rubbing his hands over his beard, Deacon dropped his head down to rest in them. What did I do? Last night, being with her was the most amazing and possibly stupidest thing he’d ever done in his life so far. Jerking his head up, he looked at the cabin again. He could see her beneath him, every time he closed his eyes now, pale, beautiful, and his. Only she wasn’t officially ‘his’.
• Touching the mark on his neck for the hundredth time, he blew out a long breath. It hadn’t healed when he’d shifted earlier. Part of him had wanted it to heal over, the other part was proud to wear her mark. Turning, he went back over to the truck, to repack his gear—that didn’t need repacking.
• She’d marked him. His heart had felt like it was going to explode in his chest when she’d done it. His animal had screamed in victory inside him. Currently, the creature was still mad that Deacon hadn’t claimed her right then and there. He’d wanted to. He almost had. After he’d been afraid to move, afraid to be close to her for fear his animal would break through his control and do just that. Then he’d looked at her and his heart felt like it was stuck in his throat, she was so beautiful.