There was resolve on her face. A determination in the way she walked and held herself. Rafe had left earlier, with a very clear demand to get her to the Becks’ quickly. So that everyone could check on her personally, and so that what had happened could be picked apart repeatedly.

He knew how they operated—the Becks saw almost everything as a family thing. Majority vote often ruled over there, especially now that most of the sisters were either married or engaged. Ariella, Lacy, and Elliot’s wife Gabby were considered full-fledged Becks in Kevin’s eyes.

Becks debated everything.

It was interesting to see, at times. When it was your life they were debating, it wasn’t so great.

“Luc’s on his way to Houghton’s airfield now. Chance has a limo ready to drive him over to Kevin’s. They’re waiting for us.”

She nodded, outwardly composed. But he wondered... Just how calm was she, and how much had she learned to hide from the rest of the world?

“Of course, I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Rayne’s meeting us there, with the kids.”

“Ok.”

She wouldn’t look at him. That was his biggest clue that she was putting on an act. Marc wasn’t about to have any of that. “Hey, you ok? My—our—idiot brother didn’t upset you, did he?”

“No. He didn’t.”

Marc wrapped his hands around her arms and turned her toward him more fully. “How are you this morning, really? No regrets over what we did?”

She was silent for a long moment. Long enough to have him concerned. Then she shook her head, then a small smile brushed her lips. “No. We both knew exactly what we were doing last night. No regrets.”

“I have one.” He used a gentle finger to lift her chin until her eyes were looking directly into his. “I wish I had been the one to wake you. I’d have done it with a kiss. Or two. If you’d have let me. Just like Cinderella.”

“Sleeping Beauty. Cinderella had the shoe.”

“Hmmm. Maybe.”

Marc drew one hand up her spine, regretting the cotton between his palm and her smooth, smooth skin. Damn Rafe. An hour later, and the morning would have started a hell of a lot differently.

She bit her lip gently. “I would have let you.”

“Can I have that kiss now? Rafe is always so grumpy in the mornings. He scares me.”

She smiled. A full-fledged Ariella smile. His world tilted, just like it no doubt always would. He wanted this woman to smile at him every morning for the rest of his life.

That thought rocked him to his core, but he didn’t let it take over. Yet.

Her hands slipped around his waist. Marc pulled her as close as he could. Then his lips covered hers and he forgot all about his rude morning alarm clock’s glowering face. The woman in his arms was all that mattered.

He wanted to stay exactly where he was, but the rest of the world waited. Demanded a bit more of him than he really wanted to give at the moment.

But that small part of the world at the Becks’ was waiting for her. Because they loved her. Marc pulled back. “We need to get going, baby. The rest of the clowns in our circus are waiting on us. They need to see you for themselves. I can’t be too selfish right now. If I had my way, I’d keep you right here for as long as you’d let me.”

* * *

She wasn’t certain what to say, so Ari went right back to her fall out position—she said nothing. Just clung to him until they both knew it was time to get moving. Before they ended up naked in his bed again.

Fifteen minutes later, she had all of her meager belongings in Jillian’s bag and was halfway to the Becks’ in the back of one of Houghton’s limos.

Chance had come to pick her up personally. He’d scooped her up and hugged her tight. Asked if she was ok, and promised to find the bastards responsible for this.

He’d looked a great deal like Marc in that moment, with the same green eyes and intensity. He’d meant it.

Just like Marc had.

Marc refused to let go of her hand. To let her move away from him—even if she wanted to. Which she didn’t.

She wanted to stay right next to him.

Not because she was afraid, or weak, or dependent, but because she wasn’t ready for what had happened between them to end. Not yet.

The limo pulled through the security checkpoint, and then passed the second. Chance had set up additional security measures after the abduction attempt on Katie.

As the gates slid shut behind the limo and her brothers stepped out on the Beck front porch, Ari finally began to breathe again.

No more being afraid. She just couldn’t do fear any longer.