Page 29 of Kentucky Nights
I might be able to get her to stay.
Our breaths become heavier the more we deny the inevitable. The space between us sparks as we fight the gravity pulling us together. I can’t resist. My palms drift up, traveling to her arms, goosebumps pebbling her flesh. What a gift to know she reacts to me in such a way, even though it goes against everything her mind is telling her.
I lift my head, allowing her to see the real me, the one who’s constantly hungry for her. It’s only been one day.Oneday of having my fated mate near me, and it’s like a million fireflies lighting up my soul. I’m nervous, excited, and I wouldn’t be the kind of man I aim to be if I didn’t admit I’m also afraid.
I’m afraid of what this love means for me. How it changes everything I’ve had planned. How Iwantit to change everything I’ve had planned. How I can’t even see my future without herbeing the center of it. This had to be what Lorcan meant by going mad. I don’t know if I can take this for a week.
I want Dru bound to me. I want her claimed with my mark. I want her blood in my veins, giving me life.
Her palm rests on my cheek, her eyes darting across my face to try to make sense of what is happening. Her heart rate increases, the beat becoming faster as I lean in a slow, careful motion.
“Kentucky,” she whispers my name in uncertainty.
And that’s when I smell it again. Underneath all the lust, there’s a small bitter twinge of fear.
Closing my eyes to regain some self-control, I push away from my beloved to get some needed space. I can’t look at her. If I do, I’ll break. I’ll throw caution to the wind and kiss her the way she deserves. Long, slow, and deep with hints of tongue. The kind of kisses that last all day and leave their mark. Anyone would be able to tell what we were up to by our swollen lips because we wouldn’t be able to get enough of one another.
The scent of her being afraid of me hurts more than any challenge this world has given me. It hurts more than Audrey’s betrayal and even more than Daphne’s death. I’m not sure what kind of man that makes me admitting that, but this is my fated mate, someone meantforme.
“Kentucky, I?—”
I lift my hand to stop her. “—It’s okay, Darlin’. The last thing I want when I kiss you is for you to be afraid.” I inhale a deep breath, gaining control of my body. The red tint fades from my vision, and my fangs sheath themselves. Even my claws retract. “But make no mistake, Dru. It isn’tifI kiss you, butwhen.”
“When do you think that will be?”
I hope in less than a week. The truth is on the tip of my tongue, wanting to break free, but I swallow it. I don’t want her to kiss me because she feels doomed. I want her to come to mebecause she wants to feel me against her. That will mean more than the seven-day timeline ever will.
“I can’t believe you almost kissed her in front of me. Yuck.”
I cut my eyes to Romeo, who is staring daggers at me.“Mind your business.”
“I couldn’t if I tried since you’re in the barn.”
“I don’t have time for your attitude right now, Romeo.”
Romeo huffs, stomping his left hoof onto the ground as he begrudgingly accepts the harsh tone of my voice.
“I should go.”
I spin on my heels, watching as she slides off the tailgate. Even in clothes that are three times her size and with the wariness of her expression, she’s breathtakingly beautiful.
Even when she fears me.
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” I bring my fist to cover my mouth as I clear my throat. “Go rest. I won’t be in until later. I still have a lot of work to do.”
She nods, opening her mouth to say something, then decides against it.
“Dru?” I stop her before she leaves.
“Kentucky?”
I take her hand in mine, wrapping my fingers around her hers to pull her knuckles to my lips, and kiss them softly. “Have a pleasant evening.”
Her smile threatens her lips, suddenly a bit shy. “I hope you do too, Kentucky.”
Against every urge and want piling inside me, she takes her hand away, her fingers slipping away from me.
Turning around, she bends down to pick up the umbrella. The rain is unforgiving at this point, coming down in punishing bullets. Lifting the black canopy above her, Dru walks out of the barn into the storm.
