Series: Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60207 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 301(@200wpm)___ 241(@250wpm)___ 201(@300wpm)
After clearing my throat, I stalk to the door and I quickly lock it. With my back to her, I allow a moment to pass, listening to the adrenaline rushing in my ears and preparing to fix this little mess. We’ll get past this. I almost whisper it out loud.
“Did he hurt you?” I speak with my back to her, still facing the door with my eyes closed. I can’t face her; I can’t risk her seeing my anger.
“No.” Her answer is softly spoken. I breathe out and wait a moment to continue. She’s all right. She’s safe. And he didn’t threaten to challenge my claim. My eyes open as I come into clarity. Both of my brothers scented her. And neither has questioned my possession of her. My dragon calms at the realization. There is no threat to my treasure. She’s mine.
An odd sensation comes over me, a desperate need to claim her and finalize my possession of her. My mate, my dragon paces in agreement. Mine to have. All mine. I’m only vaguely aware of how the thoughts entered my mind. My dragon is desperate. The parts of me that crave to be fated to her overwhelm my logic and reason.
The intrusive thoughts are cut off at the sound of her hushed cry. A faint feminine sound that brings me to my knees. I can fix this. I can make things right again. I am a worthy mate. She will love me, and she will love what I do to her even more. With a plan in mind I slowly turn to see my Kara and a thud drops in my chest.
The long sleeves have fallen down her arms, no longer neatly rolled like they were earlier today. Her hair is ruffled, and her eyes are wide with both sorrow and fear. Her cheeks are tear stained. I want nothing more than to comfort her, than to take her cheek in my hand and to kiss her tenderly. Her chest rises and falls as she stares back at me. Intent on doing what I must, I step forward but then I remember…red. She’s denied me. She safeworded me. Carefully and slowly, I stop at the end of the bed.
“Why did you use your safe word?” I have to ask her even though I already know why.
“Because you’re angry with me.” Her voice is shaky and breaks on the end.
“Of course I am. Is it because you don’t want to be punished?” That’s the reality of the situation. She took her reward; she should be ready to take her punishment. Heat travels down the length of my arms to the palms of my hands, itching to touch her. To teach her what happens when she leaves me.
“No. Please don’t.” I hate the dreadfulness of her tone.
“Why’s that?” I ask.
“I’m sorry I disappointed you.”
I shake my head and respond, “You disobeyed me. You deserve to be punished Kara.” I make sure to use Kara and not the pet name I love to use for her. With cautious movements, I lay on the bed, but keep my distance from her.
My dragon and I both crave to hold her and comfort her fears, but she’s denying me. She’s denied us. The voice hisses in the back of my mind.
“Please don’t hurt me.” The sadness in her voice overwhelms me and causes my dragon physical pain. She has no idea what she does to us. How much control she already has, and I barely know her. Turning to look at her, I wait a moment before slowly reaching out, making my movements known. She watches with her lips parted and bated breath.
I take her small hand in mine and kiss her palm. The simple touch soothes the beast inside of me. The scent of her, the feel of her warmth…it’s calming in a way I’ve never known.
Rubbing a soothing circle on her wrist, I confide in her. “I will never hurt you, Kara.” Her eyes, glassy with tears, meet mine. “I promise you. I do not get enjoyment from causing pain. I will never do that to you.”
I will her to believe me, but she has no idea what to expect. She is reckless, she is young, and she is human. The logical side of me is reminded that it’s very possible she cannot mate. A human and a dragon…it’s unheard of and yet, I feel this way. Perhaps I am losing my mind.
Doubt creeps in further and I give her a tight smile as her shoulders curl and she shrinks away from me. I’ll give her one out. I have to. I can’t keep her here if she truly doesn’t want this. Deep inside I know she does, but if she can’t admit that to herself, then I’ll have to let her go.