Page 94 of Savoring Her Snake

“I’m afraid to close my eyes.” He grips the arms of the chair. “You might disappear.”

“Heath,” I rasp.

“I should have protected you. I was too wrapped up in revenge and should have stopped to think. Leaving you was the wrong decision. This could have been prevented, but I believed I was right. I’ve been alone for so many years, I forgot what it felt like to love,” he says. I swallow thickly. “I love Rylee as a sister and haven’t told her enough. With you, it’s different. I felt it for my family, but too many years have passed since, and I know it still doesn’t compare. When I found out you were gone, my life meant nothing. I would follow you in death because I wouldn’t go on without you. I cursed the universe for dangling love and happiness in front of me and then taking it away.” He crosses his arms. “I was arrogant. I thought I could handle anything. I’m powerful. How could I be wrong? I’ve seen many of my friends find their mate and know shit goes wrong. We aren’t immortal. We can be killed, even though it is much harder. I thought I could handle anything. Without you, nothing would matter. It’s uncomfortable, the fact that I love you. It means that you could bring me to my knees. If you were hurt, I would beg the universe. I don’t beg. I have avoided relationships and feared the bond because I knew I would do anything to keep her when I found the one meant for me.” He pulls his feet from the bed, leaning forward. “I will do anything to keep you. Even though I am at fault, and I’m an anti-social, private, dominant man, I won’t let you go. I will love you until death and beyond. I will mark you, turn you, and keep you at my side. I will endure the parties, family gatherings, BBQs, and invitations to the clubs, even though they always end in disaster. I will sit through family dinners with the wolf eating most of the food, and I will gladly let him. He helped find you and protected the family. Their loyalty is admirable, and I have resisted being among them. I didn’t want to depend on them, fearing they would disappoint me.

“You haven’t had anyone to depend on. Let me be the one you put your trust in. You can depend on me, on my love, and on my devotion. I will never look at or touch another woman. The thought of another’s touch repulses me. The universe gave me a gift I am not worthy of, but I will spend every day earning your love. You can be a nurse, go to college, or be anything. I’ll support whatever you decide. As much as I would love to keep you by my side at all times, I want you to have opportunities your family never allowed, and explore the things that make you happy.” My eyes fill once again. “I want to see you pregnant with my child. We can fill the house with kids if you want. I didn’t think I would ever have a family, but I want one with you. They will always feel loved, and I will protect them with my life. I will give you anything to make you happy. Can you accept me and my snake? Will you accept my love?”

“I already do,” I whisper and sit up. “I love you. More than I thought possible to love someone. I like your snake and want to build a family with you. Our children will be the luckiest in the world to have a father like you. Stanly wasn’t your fault. We both blame ourselves for his actions, but we have to let that go. He did this. My wish came true. I dreamed of a white knight coming to rescue me, and he did, although he’s a blue snake. From the beginning, you have made me feel loved. With every word and action, you have shown me what being the center of someone’s universe means. I will thank them every day for putting me on your path. You are worthy of love. Of friendship. You are loyal.” I take a deep breath. “I love the way you look at me as if your soul is connected to mine. You know everything I need without saying a word. My life has been filled with responsibility and little else, and the prospect of being able to find my purpose is exciting. I was alive but felt no joy or passion. Any relationship I’ve had was superficial. I couldn’t trust anyone, so I built a wall around my heart. All I knew was disappointment and lies. The second we met, I knew you wouldn’t lie. I felt the pull of the bond but didn’t know what it was or what it meant. You command attention. Of course, you are stunning, but it’s more than that; it’s your seriousness and the life you have lived. You, too, control every moment; for someone who has had to be in control, that’s alluring.

“You make me ache for you,” I whisper, and a low hiss emanates from him. “The things you do for me are natural, and you don’t expect some sort of emotional payment. It’s scary and exciting all at once. I’m used to repaying any word of praise or deed. I’m grateful to Stanly. He showed me his animal so many years ago; without knowing about your world, it might have taken me longer to get used to it. I don’t fear your snake or the world you live in. I’m anxious about the pain it will cause when you turn me, but you will be with me, and that’s all that matters. I love you.” I press my hand to my heart. “I feel like something is missing when we aren’t together. Being chained and listening to Stanly state his love was disturbing. The experience was scary, but thinking about losing you was terrifying.

“You were meant to be mine, too. I was waiting for you so I could start living. Your arrogance is attractive, and you have earned the right to be. I will protect you and your heart because you hold mine tenderly.” I close my eyes briefly. “I already feel you inside me, a comforting presence I have never felt.” When I focus on his face, his eyes are blazing. “We will fight together from now on. Once I am a snake, we will be a team and take care of each other. Your love for Rylee when she was lost, hurt, and alone is admirable. It made me fall further in love. Your love doesn’t scare me. I thrive because of it.”

“Darling—”

“I want you to tie me up,” I state, and his eyes glow brighter.

“What?” he growls, sliding to the edge of his seat.

“He can’t come between us. So, just like in the shower, replace his touch.” I push the covers away. “I’m ready. I want to complete the bond.”

“Juliana,” he grits out. “You’re hurt.”

“I want you. Our bond is waiting,” I whisper.

“Your wrists.” He looks at the marks. “And ankles.”

“I trust you. You will be careful.”

“You constantly misjudge my restraint,” he says but stands.

“You undervalue your love for me,” I retort, lifting my chin. He stares at me, his chest rising rapidly. “Take me. Bond with me.”

“What is your word?” he asks harshly.

“Money.” I hold his eyes, daring him. His jaw flexes, and he looks away. “Heath, Sir, please give me what I want.” His head snaps back.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Juliana

“Laydowninthemiddle of the bed and don’t move,” he demands roughly, and I move slowly to not show any pain. He turns sharply and moves toward the closet. I spread my limbs toward the corners of the bed in anticipation. Yes, I’m sore as fuck, but I won’t let it stop me. Heath will make it all better. I try not to flinch when I hear a rattle as he leaves the closet. “If you get scared, feel pain, or want to stop for any reason, say your word. If you say stop, I will. This is about more than the bond. It’s about your pleasure and safety.” He stops beside the bed and holds out the cuffs. “These have fur inside, so it shouldn’t hurt your wounds. Again, if it does, tell me. I will be pissed if you ignore your pain to try to please me.” The bedside light is flipped on, emitting a soft light.

“Yes, Sir.” The cuffs are leather and do have gold fur on the inside.

“I had these made for you,” he informs me as he sits on the bed facing me. He shows me the leather and I gasp when I read the inscription on them.

“My darling, Juliana. Mine. Forever,” I read softly, and he unbuckles them. Every second I love him more.

“If I need to take them off fast,” he starts, gently picking up my hand. “I can break the chain. I’ll buy new ones.”

“Yes, Sir.” My heart beats a little faster when it’s around my wrist. Not because of what happened. It means we are closer to bonding.

“I will always pay attention to the signs and scent of your body.” He looks at me sternly as he attaches my left wrist to the bed. “I can smell pain.” I press my lips together. “And fear. I have studied your scent since we met. I will know if you are lying.” He rounds the bed and picks up my right hand. “You’ve been hiding the extent of your injuries. I know you’re hurting, but it’s not extreme. I am too selfish to stop. When you are changed, you’ll feel nothing but power.”

“Will I be able to smell your moods?”

“Yes, with practice.” Once my hand is attached, he moves to my feet. “Nice deflection.” I smile. “If I thought you were in serious danger of hurting more, it wouldn’t matter how sweetly you smile or express your love.” He lifts a brow, and I smother my smile. “I take this seriously. We can play as much as you want, but you know I am in control of what we do.” He cuffs one ankle.

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