Page 44 of Blood Submission

But he didn’t dwell on what he had done by bringing her up to the apartment. What was done was done. She was here. Examining the reasons why would not make him feel any easier about it. And it would not change his mind as to her purpose in hislife.

About twenty minutes passed before he heard the water shut off, and it was another seven minutes before Laney came out, not that he was watching the clock. Her hair was damp and she had changed into her own pair of loose, gray, cotton pants and a pullover sweatshirt with a “Save The Earth” logo. The shirt had a “V” neckline and was tight enough to show off her breasts, and the pants did nothing to hide her figure as she walked toward him. Her stride was naturally graceful, and he knew she was completely unaware of how captivating she was to him, no matter what she was wearing. His gums pricked as his fangs extended in response to her scent, even masked as it was with the soap she’d used. He didn’t move a muscle, but let his eyes wander up and down her form and back again, glad that he’d changed into more comfortable pants earlier when his manhood responded to the stunning sight in front of him. He didn’t even try to hideit.

He pointed with his chin at the sandwiches on the counter. “Eat.”

Her eyes dropped down to the growing bulge in his pants, her nostrils flaring as though she found his own scent just as alluring.

“Eat, Laney,” he growled.

Keeping the island countertop between them, she picked up a sandwich and unwrapped it. Pausing with it halfway to her mouth, she glanced up at him. “Thank you for the shower.” Then she shoved half of it into her mouth, quickly followed by the remainder. Still chewing, she unwrapped another sandwich and stuck it in her mouth.

Dante frowned as he was hit with a sinking feeling. “Am I not feeding you enough?”

Color suffused her face and neck, causing his own blood to heat. The speed of his responses to every little thing she felt made him grind his teeth. She swallowed the mouthful she’d been chewing and her hands, still holding half a sandwich, fell to the counter. “I’m sorry,” she told him. “I was just hungry. Not very ladylike, Iknow.”

“I don’t give a fuck about you being a lady. Am I not feeding you enough?”

She opened her mouth, but then closed it again without saying anything.

Pushing off the counter, he walked around the island and took her chin in his fingers. “If you are hungry, you need to tell me. I’m not trying to starve you.” He was surprised to find that after all of his soul searching the night before, this was now true. “I’m just…I’m just not used to this. To providing for someone other than myself.”

Her forehead creased and an expression of uncertainty crossed her features. “You weren’t there for me to tell,” she whispered. “I thought you were, I called to you, but you weren’t there.”

A knife, hot and sharp, stabbed him in the chest at her words. His vampire instincts to protect and care for his mate roared to the surface. She had needed him, and he had failedher.

“It won’t happen again,” he swore with vehemence.

Laney searched his face with wide brown eyes. “Okay.”

Feeling slightly off in this newfound role, he nodded, and indicated for her to keep eating. They passed the rest of the time in silence. When she was finished, he said, “Get your stuff.”

She stiffened mid-way through crumpling up the third sandwich wrapper. “Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you back underground.”

“Why?”

Dante ground his jaw together. He wasn’t used to being questioned, especially not by one he considered inferior, mate or no mate. “Because I am.” His tone of voice should have warned her that he was not in the mood for a discussion, but true to form, Laney didn’t heed the warning.

“I don’t want to go back down there. I won’t. I want to stay here. I want to have food, and a shower, and a real bed, and mycat.”

No. There was no fucking way he was leaving her up here. She wasn’t some princess to be kept in an ivory tower. “Do what you need to do and get your bag. We’re leaving.”

“Dante, please.”

“NOW,” he roared.

To her credit, she only jumped a little. Without another word she stomped back into the bedroom, coming out a few minutes later with her backpack hanging over one shoulder. Crossing her arms, she stood waiting by the entry. She refused to look at him. Dante could feel the helplessness emanating from her. But overriding it was rage. It appeared a shower and some food had done wonders to revive her sagging spirit.

Thank the gods. Her little submissive act had made his stomach turn. He would be sure to keep her well fed and clean from now on. For he was discovering that he didn’t want to subdue his little mouse, after all. Trap her, yes. Break her, no.

Silently telling the pets he’d be back soon, he walked past her and opened the front door. He checked that the hallway was empty before he indicated for her to come with him. With a look that would cower a lesser male, she stalked out into the hall and to the elevator. Luckily, she waited until they were inside before arguing with himmore.

“Why do I have to go back downhere?”

“Because it’s where Ilive.”

“It’s not where Ilive.”

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