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)
“If you want to leave. Do it now.” She stares back at me in shock. “I’ll have the servants get you everything you’ll need.” I look deep into her eyes as I speak the next words. “I want you to stay. I want you here with me, but if that’s not what you want, then you can leave now.” It fucking kills me to say the words, the pain is brutal. My dragon leaps and claws in my chest, refusing to allow her to go. But I endure it, I have to. I have to give her the opportunity to leave. I just pray she doesn’t.
After a moment of silence, she shakes her head, her breathing calming ever so slightly. I need more than that.
“Do you want to leave?” Even as I say the words, I don’t know that I would hold myself to them. It feels fair and just to offer, but lies are spilling from my lips…as if I could ever truly let her go. “I’ll give you everything you’ll need to start fresh, Kara.” It would be maddening.
She murmurs a response that eases the burden for me. “I don’t want to leave.”
Rolling onto my side, I face her and ask, “Do you want to stay with me, at least for a little while?” I run my thumb over her cheek, and she leans into my touch.
“Yes.” I enjoy the feel of her for a little longer, listening to the steady cadence of her pattering heart calming. With a sad smile at my lips, I know she’s not going to like this next part, but we need to get past it.
“Treasure, I need to punish you. And then you won’t be so afraid.”
She stills beside me, her wide fearful eyes beg me and all I want to do is ease her worry. And I will.
“You want to stay; you will learn to take everything I give you.”
Her heart hammers and her breath quickens as the seconds pass, but she doesn’t try to leave me. “How?” she finally asks.
Relief is a blessing and a curse. Desire and need rage through me as I command her, “Lie on your back and spread your legs.” She gasps and inches away from me, banging her back onto the headboard. “Treasure”—my voice is laced with a threat—“do as I say.” I’m not going to fuck her. I debate on telling her that, but I don’t fucking want to. I want her to listen to me. I want her to obey me. My voice is stern as I add, “Now.” I stare into her eyes as she slowly lies on the bed. She shudders and closes her eyes. It doesn’t escape my knowledge that I am still very much naked, very much hard for her.
My blood burns in my veins as I sit beside her, ignoring the pacing of my dragon. I run a calming hand down her arm and the touch is everything I didn’t know I needed. I push her sleeve up and take her hand in mine. “Good girl.” I kiss the racing pulse on her wrist. Her eyes are still closed. I rub soothing circles over her wrist and speak slowly. “I’m not going to hurt you, treasure.” Her breasts rise as she takes a deep breath. “Do you believe me?”
After a moment of silence, she answers, “Yes.”
“I don’t want you to lie to me. I haven’t done anything that I know of that would make you think that I’m a liar.” I pause to let the first part really sink in for her. I kiss her wrist again and place a gentle hand on her hip. “But I also know that trust is earned.” Her eyes open and find mine. They widen with surprise and her hazel gaze holds so many questions. Her curiosity is my ally.
“I’m disappointed that you left me, treasure. That you were reckless, and you have unknowingly caused problems for me that cannot be undone.” I swallow, thinking of my brothers for only a moment before deciding they will be dealt with after, and only after, I’ve claimed Kara. “I am only angry because you put yourself in danger. Galen would never hurt you, but my dragon isn’t comfortable with you being around other men right now.” I almost tell her about her heat. I almost tell her how I wanted to kill Galen for even thinking about fucking her. But I keep my mouth shut. She doesn’t need to know why. “And dragons aren’t reasonable.”
“I didn’t mean to.” She finally speaks.
“You didn’t mean to what?” I question her.
“To see your brother.” Just hearing those words makes my dragon rage inside of me. I maintain a calm demeanor on the outside though, tempering my tone.
“I know you didn’t, little treasure.” I speak calmly. “You only meant to leave me.”