I’ve lost track of how many orgasms Keira’s had, but when she passes out limp beside me, I pull her body against mine and cover us both. We might not have gotten to have our wedding night, but I’ll make it up to her.

I’m still stuck on what she said. Hell, what she screamed.

“I love you.”

I’ve never known what the fuck the word love means. When you’re raised without it, never feeling it, it’s not something that makes any logical sense.

I already knew I would take a bullet for her. Die for her. Live for her.

If that’s love, then maybe I’m finally starting to figure it out. There’s no doubt I understand at least one part of it—I never want to lose this. Lose her.

I sure as hell never want to see her blood on my hands again. Ever.

She curls closer into me and I press a kiss to her temple, holding her tighter.

“They’ll never touch you again.”

My eyes finally slide shut. But instead of enjoying a dreamless sleep, I battle a nightmare in which someone tries to take her from me.

* * *

I don’t know how much time has passed when I jerk awake, but Keira’s eyes flicker open at the same time as I bolt up in bed.

“What? What’s wrong?” She’s instantly on alert, reaching for the side of the nightstand where a loaded gun is holstered.

This woman is perfect for me.

“Nothing.” I grab her hand, pulling it back before she can snag the revolver. “Everything’s fine.”

She blows out a lungful of air. “Could we try waking up without the heart attack next time? That’d be great.”

A sound grates from my throat, and I realize it’s laughter. Or an attempt at it. “I’ll work on that.”

“Good.”

“In the meantime, pack your bag. It’s time to get the fuck out of town.”

Keira’s green eyes widen. “Why? I thought it was safe.”

“It is. But I want you all to myself. Away from here. No distractions.”

“Like a honeymoon?”

“Call it whatever you want, but it’s time to go. I’ll have the jet fueled and waiting in an hour.”

Keira bites down on her lip. “I know this is going to sound bad, but please, understand where I’m coming from.”

I brace myself, wondering what the hell could possibly put that uncertain expression on my hellion’s face. “What?”

“I can’t leave right now. I’ve been locked down for days, trying to run my company—that’s rapidly changing—from inside these walls. And before that, I was out of the country for nearly a week without planning to be gone. And then the award, and a million orders . . . it’s basically insanity at the distillery. I really, really need to go to work.”

My first instinct is to override her protests and tell her that’s ridiculous. She doesn’t need to work. Not ever again. I have more than enough money to provide us the most lavish lifestyle forever. But I check my gut reaction.

“So, this is what it’s like to be married to a CEO.”

She nods. “I need you to be okay with this, because it matters to me.”

“Compromise then.”

Keira’s head jerks back and her eyebrows go up. “You know what that word means?”

My lips twitch, and I think they’re attempting a smile. “Only with you.”

“Then I’ll hear your proposal.”

At her sassy tone, I pin her to the bed. “First, I fuck you. Then we put that last plug in your ass so you’re ready for me.”

Her hips lift up, grinding against me. Yes, she’s the perfect woman for me.

“Is that all?”

“Then V takes you to work, stays with you, and you come home to me after you’ve got things under control. You have two days, and then we’re leaving the fucking country again to go be Lachlan and Keira on a beach somewhere without another goddamned human being around for miles.”

The smile that spreads across her lips is brilliant. “I can handle that.”

“Good. Because you don’t have a choice.”

“I thought this was a compromise.”

I shrug. “Close enough.”

* * *

When I finally let her out of bed hours later, it’s with an uneasy feeling riding me. Maybe because of the events of the last week, or maybe because of something else. As she gets ready, I step outside the door to the suite, and V spins to face me.

“Guard her with your life.”