Page 78 of The Mating Quest
He eyed the dagger on the coffee table. “Of course I get it. If I didn’t I’d be an even bigger fool. I’ve seen you fight, Ilana. I’ve seen yourstrength.”
She tilted her head. “Strong women don’t bother you? Strong, independent women? Or are you the type who prefers a meek, sweet and quiet woman who always relies onyou?”
Ethan shoved a hand through his hair and laughed. Really laughed. “Ilana, I’m the alpha of a small Lupine pack that had to fight for survival after the original alpha died. Seemed like all the strong males challenged me for the position, and those were the ones I had to deal with from outside. Then there were the Lupine males in the pack who wanted to be alpha so they fought me as well. The ones who helped me maintain control? The women. If not for them, I might be homeless now. They stood by me, fought like hell to keep everyone together. I can’t thank them enough for what they did. Strong women? I adorethem.”
Respect flickered in her eyes. “It does get tiresome fighting all thetime.”
“I’ll say.” He stood, glanced at the clock on the wall. “And it’s almost five o’clock. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. Want toeat?”
Her guard went up again. “I can feed myself, wolf. I’m going for arun.”
She got up, grabbing her knife and brushed past him. Hearing the sliding glass door bang shut, he sighed again. Damn this was going to be tough. Ilana was like a cactus. No, a rose. He just had to get past thethorns.
She lied.Running wasn’t an option now. Every bone in her body ached and exhaustion seeped through her pores. But she had to get away from Ethan, needed fresh air to clear hermind.
He likes strongwomen.
He’s an arrogant ass who doesn’t want younear.
Ethan Powers wasn’t someone she needed in her life. She didn’t need anyone. Yet her heart had leapt when she’d seen him on the beach, looking sexy with his hair wet and salt water clinging to his muscled body, droplets on the light brown hair on his arms and legs… she’d wished she were one of those droplets, licking her way down hisbody…
Ilana dragged herself to a beach chair, totally worn out. She lay down, wishing she’d eaten earlier. But with all the dragons staring at her, staring at Chloe, she’d felt the instinctive need to be on guard. Just incase.
Now she paid the price. Wasn’t she always paying the price for mistakes she’dmade?
Telling Drust she wanted to be here with Ethan was a huge mistake. Being alone with him was tempting and she didn’t want to have sex. Not with Ethan or any other man. If she remained celibate for the rest of her sorry life, it would be a good thing. She hadn’t slept with a man in centuries. Not since her awful experience with the Dark Fae,Cormac.
Mages had little power, and were lower on the food chain than witches. Two centuries ago, Ilana saw herself as a potential source for good. Yet the spells she could perform were too insufficient. So Ilana made a bargain with Cormac, a Dark Fae who was obsessed with her, who endowed her with power. In return, she became hislover.
The Fae was a cruel lover with a twisted sadistic streak. She did not utter a word the entire time he fucked her, even through the pain, for she knew each time he bedded her, he gave her more of hispowers.
Only when she realized he expected her to kill the ogres and boil their flesh to absorb their magick. She tried to stop him. Unsuccessfully, until he made her scream andscream.
Then one morning she’d awakened to find him gone and the Shadow Wizard in the room. Caderyn told her the Crimson Wizard had destroyed Cormac and rescued the ogres. The Shadow Wizard let Ilana off with a warning never to use her new magick to hurt others who did not deserve it. Or she would pay a terribleprice.
Sex only gets you introuble.
Closing her eyes, she tried to relax. The sun was still hot, but it felt good. Suddenly a shadow fell over her. Ilana opened one eye to see Ethan scowling ather.
“Running, Mage? You’re supposed to be resting and regaining your strength. Did you even eat earlier? Are you going without dinner aswell?”
She sat up, swung her legs over the chaise lounge, feeling a little dizzy. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me, wolf. Certainly not you. Hellno.”
“Oh hell yes you do, if you’re not going to take care of yourself.” He pulled her upright. “You’re going into the kitchen right now andeating.”
“I amnot…”
Ethan tossed her over one shoulder in a fireman’s hold. Sputtering, she released a low string of curses. Damn, the wolf wasstrong.
And damn, he had one fine looking ass, her vantage point showing that particular anatomy on display. Firm yet round, molded to the khaki shorts hewore.
Ethan carried her into the house, marched into the kitchen and set her down on one of the padded chairs at the glass top table. He pointed to a bowl on the table filled with peaches, pears and apples. “Eat some fruit now while I make you dinner. The natural sugar will help with your lowenergy.”
Too tired to argue, she selected a pear and bit into it. Juice flooded her mouth. Suddenly ravenous, she munched and watched as he opened the refrigerator door and hunted through thecontents.
“Do you like pork?” heasked.
“It’s okay.Tough.”
