Page 41 of Dormeo
Once I return, I’ll get Clara to help me escape. If anyone knows how to avoid a marriage, it’ll be her.
Ash’s hard gaze softens. “I told you, I won’t let anyone hurt you. That extends beyond your father’s deal. Trust me.”
Longing swells inside me. Why does he have to be so perfect?
I cross the room, my breathing rapid, as I stand in front of him. His fingers ball into fists at his side as I reach up to rest my palms on his scorching hot chest. If I wasn’t still sleeping most of the day, it would have been impossible to stay away from him.
“Do you understand that I’ve had to hide for the last week because I’ve fallen for you? Not because I don’t trust you. Not because I don’t want you.” I take a deep breath, knowing I’m in grave danger of humiliating myself. “Those weren’t just dreams to me. I wanted it to be real.”
He winces, capturing my two hands in his and stopping me from sliding them higher onto his shoulders.
“I’ve arranged safe passage for you back to the human realm. With a man named Ivan. A good man. He’ll set you up with a new life if you want it.”
Apparently, my powers are not as desirable as he’s led me to believe. Deep down, I’d hoped he’d fight for me to stay.
Things have changed, for me at least. I didn’t like being away from him. My cheeks flush, and I squeeze my eyes shut, shame flooding me.
He doesn’t feel the same, and he told me as much.
I was the only one pining away for the last week.
“Very good,” I say stiffly, tugging my hands from his grasp. Struggling against the urge to snap at him just because my feelings are hurt, I clear my throat and look at the floor. “I appreciate the offer of safe passage. I have no way to repay you though, and I don’t want to be indebted to anyone…”
Gripping my chin, he forces his head up and slams his lips down upon mine, taking me in a bruising kiss.
“You don’t owe me anything, Rose, damn it,” he growls. “I just need you to be safe and to live a full life. Even if I hate the fucking thought of it.”
His hands roam my body as I stretch up on tiptoes, my fingers wrapping around the back of his neck to pull him down closer to me. Frustrated with our height difference, Ash lifts me, with exhilarating ease, and plonks me down on the island, immediately stepping between my legs and cupping my face as he claims my mouth once more.
“I’m not marrying some man my father picks for me?” I whisper, my brain slowly accepting the gift that Ash is giving me.
“No,” he grits out against my mouth, his tongue thrusting inside to shut me up as a new future expands within my mind.
I could be anything. Go anywhere. Marry anyone.
Yet all my imagination can conjure is the dark demon standing between my thighs.
“So, my purity is no longer a bargaining chip. I can give it to whomever I choose,” I mumble when Ash finally lets me come up for air.
He growls loudly as he shoves aside my gown and dips his head, capturing one stiff nipple in his mouth and sucking as he plays with my other breast.
Curling my fingers around his horns, I stroke them up and down, smiling as the hardness pressed against my sex lengthens and thickens, his hips rocking forward with each pass.
“What if I want to give it to you?”
Ash’s growls turn into a thunderous roar as he lifts his head, and my hands fall away as he shoves me back, putting some distance between our bodies.
“Don’t joke about something like that.” With another hard kiss, he nips my bottom lip. “You think your dreams are potent? Mine have been tormenting me all week, and that’s been top of the list.”
My head spins.
He’s been dreaming of me.
“I don’t want it to be anyone else. I want to feel it for real. With you.” I shimmy forward so my clit rubs against his hard cock again. “Please, Ash. Before you send me away, give this to me.”
I’m not sure what part of that pressed his buttons, but suddenly, he’s not fighting me anymore. Instead of pushing me back, he drags me closer to him and wraps those huge, thick arms around me.
“Tell me that you’re certain. That this isn’t a whim.”
