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)
Of all the things to ask, it’s that question? My heart aches for her. I know what she wants to hear. I remember what she admitted last night, about her fear of falling in love with me. And yet, I’ve kept her, I’ve fucked her. And I expect her to stay without giving her the security I know she desires. I want her. I want her more than I’ve wanted anything. Almost anything. I want a family. I want dragonlings. The truth is, her heat has waned. If she isn’t scenting of pregnancy in the next day or so, then there is little hope of her being a mate for me. My heart clenches in pain at the thought as I stare back into her eyes.
“I told you I’m keeping you.”
“For how long?” she questions, and I stare back not knowing how to answer. Somewhere deep inside me a primitive need for her begs the answer forever. “You said you wanted to heal me, but you already have.”
I answer honestly. “I intend to always take care of you. Whether that means this or something else.” As I say the words and watch her face fall with disappointment, my stomach drops. I fucking hate myself. She’s given me all of herself and I can’t promise the same in return. I lift her chin up to give her a kiss, but she pulls her head to the left and out of my grasp.
“Kara.” I nearly growl. She turns to face me with a look that could kill and tears in her eyes. I almost lose my resolve. “I will not make promises to you before I know whether or not I can keep them.” That voice inside me whispers, yes you can. I shake the thought away and look back to my Kara. “I’ll take care of you. Every bit of you. Physically and emotionally. Let that be enough for now.” Although I haven’t worded it as a question, I know my eyes are pleading with her.
“Just one more question?” she asks hesitantly.
“What is it?”
“Am I just a pet to you?”
“No, Kara. You mean more to me than that,” I answer immediately and cup her chin in my hand to stare into her eyes as I answer. I want her to feel my sincerity. I want her to know that what I say is the truth.
She swallows and nods her head but looks back to the mirror with her shoulders squared and her spine straight. I can practically see her putting on her armor as she leaves me for the safety of the bed. I’m all too aware that her response is well deserved.
KARA
It feels as if I’ve lost who I am.
I know better than to rely on anyone or to even expect them to stay around. All of my life I’ve known that no one is forever. But ever since Drago’s taken me, I’m at war with that very truth. I find myself relaxing, feeling as though I no longer need to fight, yet at the same time, I’m waiting for the other foot to drop. I already know what’s to come though, no matter how much I wish it weren’t true.
This is nothing more than a game to him. He’s said as much himself. I’m a pet. And maybe he’ll offer me enough money to survive on my own and safety as a reward when he’s done with me. Enough to be taken care of. But either way, he will be done with me at some point and then what will I be left with? This bleeding heart of mine that should have known better.
It takes a moment for my heart to feel full again. I feel pathetic. I practically told him I loved him yesterday. I gave myself to him. As a faint rainfall taps at the glass pane windows, I turn my attention to it and remember last night. Pulling the covers in close, I know all too well I’d do it again. I don’t regret it in the least. Running my fingers through my hair and inhaling the sweet floral scents of the oils, I know the same is true for this morning. I’ve never felt so full and so complete. I loved everything that happened last night in this bed.
That’s the fault of it all though, isn’t it? I’m falling hard for him because no one has ever touched me like that. No one has ever wanted me and I’ve damn sure never wanted another soul. There’s a faint sound beyond the closed bathroom door and my heart pauses, waiting for the door to open. Yet it doesn’t. It’s quiet yet again as I sit alone on his bed.
Once again that feeling overwhelms me. The one that scolds me for being so pathetic. I want to bow at his feet. Fuck, if he told me to kiss his feet I would. I’d do anything he told me to. But I don’t know why.