Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 26781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“He was a great brother to you,” Nigel surmised. When I nodded, he stroked his thumb across my knuckles. “I’m glad you had him in your life, to protect you in the way I couldn’t yet. But I promise, I will do everything in my power to be a good mate to you. I’ve waited a very long time, and even doubted that I’d ever find you. And now I know why the search was so long.”
When I squinted my eyes in question, he answered, “Because you are so special. You are warm, giving, brave, and everything I probably don’t deserve. Fate knew just how wonderful you were, and that you were worth the wait. I will never take her gift for granted. My heart belongs to you, Milan. And I will do all I can to be worthy of yours.” I blinked back more tears, awestruck by his sweet words. I doubted many people had heard them from his lips, which made them even more significant.
We talked for hours, with Nigel telling me stories of his most interesting and amusing cases (making sure to keep the mood light after what we’d been through), and me telling him more about my childhood with Micah. Nigel never got tired of listening; he just let me talk to my heart’s content while he smiled and soaked up every word.
But soon, the caffeine and adrenaline wore off. My words slurred, my eyes grew heavy, and my jaw dropped into a series of yawns. When Nigel suggested that we turn in for the night, I led him down the hall, where there were a few makeshift bedrooms set up.
Sometimes, the detectives at the precinct worked long hours which stretched into the night. Instead of driving while exhausted, we slept in these rooms which held cots. They weren’t the most comfortable beds in the world, but they served their purpose.
When we entered one of the rooms together, my heart rate picked up, and suddenly I wasn’t so tired when I realized I was alone with Nigel, my fated mate, in a room with a single cot.
Chapter Eleven
Nigel
Tension thickened as we stepped into the room together. The space was small; it held only the necessities - one slim cot, and a chair in the corner. I couldn’t deny I wanted to lay with Milan and hold him throughout the night, but the last thing I wanted to do was make my beloved uncomfortable, especially with the day he’d had.
So, I approached the cot and pulled down the sheets before fluffing the pillow. I turned to Milan and told him, “Please take the bed. I’ll be fine over here,” and walked over to the chair. I sat on the hard wood seat, noting that I was in for a long, uncomfortable sleep. But I didn’t mind. If I was worried about comfort, I could go find a cot in another room, but there was no way in hell I was leaving Milan alone.
He gave me a grateful smile before stripping off his overcoat and folding it neatly before placing it on the floor. He looked from the pile of fabric over to me, and then back again. He didn’t take his eyes from his coat when he said quietly, “You know, I would probably be better protected if you slept with me.”
My heart raced; not only from his request, but the sweet way he asked. Milan showed bravery when he put his life on the line every day, but seemed shy when he asked me to share his bed.
I wasn’t going to let the invitation slip by. I quickly leapt to my feet and peeled off my own coat, tossing it over the back of the chair. “It does make more sense,” I said as I kicked off my shoes. “For protection purposes, of course.”
Milan shot me a pretty smirk as he toed out of his own shoes, followed by his socks. When he removed his belt, my mouth drooled, hoping his trousers would follow, but alas, he kept them on as he climbed beneath the sheets. Dammit.
“I usually sleep in my knickers,” I told him as I removed my belt and unbuttoned the first few snaps of my dress shirt, getting more comfortable. The hungry expression on his face was priceless. I wouldn’t undress too far and risk his comfort, but I definitely wanted to grant him a mental image.
I slid onto the cot next to him, each of us unfortunately still clothed in our slacks and dress shirts. But I was just happy to be near him. I scooted over until our noses nearly touched as we lay facing each other, our heads cradled by the single pillow.
I gazed into his warm brown eyes as I carded my fingers through his hair, surprised at how soft it was. I usually used gel to keep mine tame, but Milan’s locks fell perfectly, even when natural.