Page 43 of Happily Ever Witch
She glanced at him, not looking worried about the charcoaled fate of her precious record store clerks.
“I’ll even bring flowers, if you like. We can make a date of it. I know you enjoy those.”
“Funny.”
“Only I’m not joking.” His tone was ominously soft. “I will brutally, instantly,savagelyslaughter any man who touches you. I thought I made it clear yesterday, but I’m happy to prove it again. And again and again andagain.”
“So that’s a rule, too, huh?”
“It’s theonlygoddamn rule.”
Esmeralda chewed her pancake. “I hate rules.” She repeated. “Maybe we should table the discussion of monogamy exclusions, until you’re not so crazy.”
“This is as sane as I get. We’re finishing itnow.” He wanted no ambiguity. “Dragons don’t share.”
“Neither do witches.”
Trevelyan considered that, breathing hard.
“This whole thing was your idea, so I don’t know why you’re having a big, dramatic meltdown. It’s just sex, right?” One black eyebrow arched. “Like you’re going to have with those Good girls. If you can have yours… I can have mine.”
He stared at her.
“Payback’s a witch, baby.” She wrinkled her nose. “I know you hate puns, but how could I resist that one?”
Trevelyan suddenly realized that she was trying to teach him something about being a True Love. Just like he’d told her to, the night before. Rewinding the conversation, he saw how she’d boxed him in and he understood the lesson. If he kept pursuing those girls with the spark, Esmeralda would find another man. She was smart. Sooner or later, she’d give herself to someone before Trevelyan could stop her. And it would destroy him.
Just like him sleeping with another woman would destroy her.
True Love bound them too tightly to allow for casual sex or guitar players. The flames of that betrayal would consume them both. They could have separate lives, but notentirelyseparate. He couldn’t just stash her somewhere and go about his business. No. He would have to see her. Spend time with her. Keep his scent on her. Ensure no other man came near her. It was just the two of them, forever-after.
Holyshit.
Esmeralda smirked, seeing that she had his full attention. “You push me, I’ll push you back, Trev. Do you believe me?”
He met her eyes …and believed. “Yes.”
On the plus side, he was already on his way to completing that daily affirmation’s idiotic dare. It was before breakfast and he believed something impossible. He believed that he’d never sleep with another woman, ever again. He didn’t even want to. He just wanted his too Good, mostly powerless, annoying little mate all to himself.
This was going to take a second to process.
Esmeralda took in his turbulent expression. “Sucks to suck.” She told him with no empathy whatsoever.
Trevelyan’s eyes narrowed, regrouping. He couldn’t win this argument… but it also wasn’t a total loss. He still received what he most desired. Dragons liked to make deals. If he agreed to this bargain, Esmeralda would have to forsake all other men, record store owners included. He would have her loyalty in this, at least. And that was the most important thing. Well worth giving up his science experiment with sparkly-eyed girls. A choice between Esmeralda and any other woman was no choice at all.
The witch was his mate. Just his. Something far darker and Badder than True Love told him so.
“No exclusions, for either of us.” He offered flatly. “Total monogamy. Happy?”
“Why, I’ve never been happier in mywholelife.” She drawled out sarcastically.
Triumph filled him at the testy agreement. The dragon settled inside of him, purring in satisfaction.
Just his.
Trevelyan jabbed a finger at Esmeralda, wanting the last word. “If you expect me to be completely celibate, you’rekidding yourself, though.” She saw that was insanity, right? She saw that she needed to submit to the inevitable. “A chase is fun, but you’re going to have to sleep with me soon.”
“No, I don’t.”
