Read Online A Cold Winter's Day 25 by Lynn Hagen - Free Book Online Page B

pleasure waving in his eyes. He smiled shyly at Malcolm as he sat down on his lap, straddling him.
    “What does my papa bear want?”
    Malcolm chuckled at the endearment.
    He liked it.
    “A wood elf,” he replied as he rubbed his hands up and down Luke’s arms. Malcolm leaned his back against a chair as he pulled his long legs up and planted his feet on the floor. Luke looked perfect perched on his lap.
    Simply perfect.
    “You have me, Malcolm,” Luke replied as his fingers caressed Malcolm’s chest. “All of me.”
    Malcolm wanted to believe Luke. He truly did. But there was one last bit of hesitation in Luke’s eyes that made him hold back. His worst fear was that he would wake up and Luke would be gone, taking Cole with him in some moronic move to spare Malcolm the trouble when his tribe showed up.
    And Malcolm had no doubt that Luke’s tribe would come after him.
    “Promise me, Luke,” Malcolm said as he grazed Luke’s face with his fingertips.
    “Anything,” Luke replied as he leaned into Malcolm’s hand.
    “Promise me that you will never run from me.”
    Luke stiffened as his eyes slowly lowered.
    That was what he thought. Malcolm was more hurt by Luke’s admission than anything he could ever think of. Hadn’t he promised to protect the elf and his son? Hadn’t he shown the man what he had to offer?
    Apparently it wasn’t good enough. Apparently Luke didn’t think Malcolm could protect him. He sat there hurt beyond words that Luke would steal away in the night and leave him all alone. Didn’t the man know how much Malcolm loved him already? Hadn’t he shown him?
    Malcolm deserved better than that.
    Cole deserved better than that.
    Luke surely deserved to have a life worth living.
    “It’s not you,” Luke confessed to Malcolm’s chest. “When it comes to Cole, I fear no one can protect him, not even me.”
    Having sons of his own, Malcolm could relate. “But you have to stop running sometime and take a stand. You have an entire bear family backing you up, and we’re not chopped liver.”
    Luke smiled as he glanced up at Malcolm through his lashes, making Malcolm’s heart beat faster. “No, you’re not. I just can’t stand the thought of you or one of your family members being hurt because of me.”
    Malcolm growled as he grabbed Luke’s upper arms, holding them tight. “You are my family. You have to understand that. Stop thinking so damn hard about this and just accept the help we’re offering you. I swear to god, if you leave this house I’ll hunt you down and tie you to my bed!”
    Luke swallowed as he glanced up at Malcolm, fear evident in his eyes. That was the last thing Malcolm wanted to see, but he had to make Luke see that he was in the safest place he could be.
    Even if a legion of elves stormed his ranch, Malcolm would kill every last one of them to protect his mate. Why couldn’t Luke see that?
    He had to see the truth.
    “We’ll protect you.”
    Malcolm looked up to see his sons standing in the entranceway to the living room, grim faces on all seven of them. His chest swelled with pride as he glanced at each one of them. Even Chauncey had his game face on.
    “You will?” Luke asked as his fingers curled into Malcolm’s shirt.
    “You’re damn straight,” Chauncey said as he bounced Cole on his hip. “Let someone come here messing with you or Cole. I’ll eat their fucking asses.”
    Malcolm grinned as Luke stared at Chauncey like he wasn’t right in the head. “Um, I don’t think you’ll have to go that far, but thanks.”
    “Anytime.”
    “Get lost, boys. You’re interrupting our intimate time together,” Malcolm said as his hand ran up and down Luke’s back. He winked at his boys, nodding his head in thanks as they scattered.
    “You did a good job raising them,” Luke said as he laid his head on Malcolm’s shoulder. Malcolm wrapped his arms around his mate as he sat there, praying he was right and he could protect them.
    Because god help anyone