Page 27 of Beast's Wife

She stopped at the entrance to the park and turned toward him. They had no choice but to move out of the way for a couple. Morgan offered them a smile, but the couple were more focused on each other than anyone around them.

“Yes, Carver,” she said.

“I want you to have everything your heart desires,” he said.

She took a step toward him. “Then I’d love to have a dog.” She pressed a kiss to his lips. “But, this is what I want. To spend time with you. Not to spend your money.”

“It’sourmoney.”

“No, your money. You earn it. I don’t do anything,” she said.

She took his hand and walked him into the park. Already, she felt that was an achievement, and she let out a gasp and a smile.

Carver smirked.

It was the most she was going to get outside. Back at home, he’d smile and wouldn’t hold back. Now, they were in the real world.

“Why did you bring me out here?” she asked, holding onto his hand. She knew it was a risk.

“I wanted to spend some time with you, and we don’t always have to be locked away in my home.”

“But, it’s safe,” she said.

“It’s safe out here.”

“There’s so many people.”

“Yes, and not all of them are intent on killing us.” He pulled her in close. “Besides, it would take a real amateur and a fool to take me on.”

“Have you ever been attacked out in the open?” she asked.

“Yes.”

She looked at him, wide eyed. “I can’t protect you.”

“You don’t need to protect me. I’m the one that needs to protectyou.”

“That is not how this is supposed to work. As your wife, I’m supposed to be able to protect you.”

He tightened his hold on her hand. “All I expect you to do is to run as far and as fast as you can.”

Morgan didn’t like that. “Don’t.” She didn’t like this. “How do you expect me to do that?”

“Because it is what I told you to do.”

She didn’t like this, so she stopped walking. He took a few steps before he clearly realized she wasn’t following.

“Morgan, I am not going to argue with you about this.”

“You don’t have to argue, but you need to understand I am not happy about any of this. You expect me to run away. You expect me to leave you to deal with the people out there.” She was aware of the people in the park. “I can’t do that. You’re my husband.”

“And it is my job to protect you,” he said.

“Then equally as much, it is my job to protect you, Carver. I’m your wife, and I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you and there was a chance I might have been able to help.”

She wanted to scream at him, for him to understand.

Carver pulled her in close and kissed the top of her head.