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64
Muriel’s expression faltered, but it was only because she feared how her presence could endanger us. I knew she didn’t want to drag us into any more adversity than she already had. Her smile returned a moment later and she squeezed my hands. “Thank you.”

We all stood up, preparing to go. Muriel would head back to the Mundy’s house for the next few days so that I could spend time with Billie. After a reassuring hug from the silver-haired unicorn, I stepped back and watched Billie bury her face in Muriel’s shoulder, embracing her with all the love for a mother that Billie never had. Muriel Vale had become more than a refugee to us. She was a source of comfort that we all needed, and she unified us, whether she had intended to or not.

On the drive back to my apartment, we were silent. Billie had been tense all night, and I wondered if she would even speak to me after what I’d done to Catrina. I let her lead the way up the apartment vestibule, and even after unlocking my door, I waited for her to step inside first, closing the door behind us. Once she kicked off her shoes, her shoulders sagged with a long sigh and I was compelled to come closer. My arms slid around her waist and pulled her in. She didn’t move at first, but she didn’t resist either; once she leaned her head back against my shoulder, I was relieved to find my presence welcome.

Before long, we ended up back in my bed. Billie wore a grey t-shirt of mine and a light blue thong, reclining on her stomach while her arms folded under the pillow, her eyes closed. I laid on my back with only black boxer briefs on, all my cuts and bruises exposed to the pale morning light. Our silence afforded a sense of peace that had been absent for what felt like weeks. Billie was exhausted, and I didn’t want to disturb her, so I was content to let her sleep.

A few minutes later, her eyelashes fluttered open. She peered back at me from over her arm and in the aftermath of her anger, only reticent sadness remained.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked.

She breathed in slowly. “How stupid it was of me to run off in the middle of the night.”

“Don’t,” I reassured her, rolling over and craving to be closer.

“Things could have ended so much differently.” Billie’s voice cracked.

“But now we know the truth,” I said. “Because you were brave enough to confront David.”

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something else. Instead, she propped herself up on her elbows and gently cupped my cheek, brushing her nose against mine. My heart pattered like I was a child giddily in love. “You should’ve been my first crush,” I murmured between kisses.

Billie chuckled. “I wouldn’t have been terrified of you if I grew up knowing how much of a teddy bear you are.”

“You were terrified of me?”

“Yeah,” she said sheepishly.

“I guess I can’t blame you. I was a real ass.”

“It’s okay.” Billie kissed me again, her fingers gentle on my chest. “You can make up for it now.”

“I’ll be making up for it for the rest of our lives.”

She hummed with amusement, agreeing. We would both fight to defend our relationship. The fated mate bond didn’t guarantee an eternity of happiness, that much was clear, but I knew we valued one another far too much to let anything come between us.

“You should’ve been mine from the very beginning,” I sighed. “I wish I could’ve had the chance to be your boyfriend… protect you from bullies… celebrate all your accomplishments with you…”

Billie laughed with a little more strength, bowing her forehead against my shoulder. “Maybe it would’ve been me protecting you from the bullies.”

I scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I was the bully, sweetheart.”

“Then I would’ve been the one telling you to smarten up.” She grinned at me.

“Yeah… that’s more like it.”

We stared at each other, and I watched her smile fade as her fingertips grazed the fresh gash across my left eye, cleaving my eyebrow in half. It would take some getting used to, but I hadn’t realized how she might need to adjust to it too.

“It complements your roguish good looks,” she said, like she could read my mind.

I smiled. “As long as you think it’s sexy, that’s all that matters.”

Billie craned her neck and kissed my eyebrow. Her hand went to the pillow beside my head, slowly maneuvering her body until she hovered above me. Her desire to be close to me was the same as mine; we were magnetically attracted, and the way she allowed me to guide her onto my hips was all too natural. I ran my hand up her narrow back and held her close enough that our bodies aligned while we kissed. It didn’t take long before my erection was straining against my underwear.

“You should stop if you were hoping to nap any time soon,” I advised.

Catching her breath, Billie looked down between us and turned red in the cheeks. “S—Sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” I teased. “I don’t care how long I have to wait until you’re ready for this.”

I watched her throat bob as she swallowed her uncertainties. Catching my eye, Billie rolled off me and brought me with her so that I was arched above her, her legs folded around my hips. She stole another kiss from me before pressing our foreheads together, breathing shallowly. “I’m ready.”

Our closeness made us irresistible to one another. It clouded our judgment and filled us with warm, tingling hunger bred by the fated bond. Nothing would fulfill me as much as becoming one with Billie, but no matter how much I wanted it, I still worried that I was pressuring her. She soothed my worries by slipping off her underwear, then sitting up, pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it aside. I did the same until we were both bare to the morning light. The few seconds it took to unwrap a condom felt like forever. My hands were all over her, squeezing her breasts and slipping a finger between her labia, delighting in how wet she was.

She shuddered. “You’re the only one I want.”

I didn’t spare a thought as to why she said that. “ Same.” As a satisfied chime fell from her lips, I groaned into her neck. “I’m about to fuck you hard, Billie.”

“Gav,” she mewled. Billie wrapped her arms around me. “Make me feel good.”

“With pleasure.”