Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
“Retract the claws, lil’ bit. Ain’t nobody encroachin’ on your territory.”
“My territory?”
We reached the door to his room. He fumbled to open it but for some reason refused to set me down. Once we were inside, he kicked the door shut and locked it. All the while, I remained in his arms.
“Yeah. Your territory.”
I studied him, my eyes narrowing. “And what exactly does that mean? I don’t have my own space here.”
“Nope. I’m referring to me. I’m your territory. They ain’t tryin’ to take me from you.”
“Now, wait just a Goddamned minute, Cyrus. I never said you were mine. Or even that I wanted you, for that matter.”
“You didn’t have to.” He crossed to the bed and sat down with me now in his lap. “I said it for you.”
“Why are you doing this? What’s going on that I don’t know about? I don’t want to be anyone’s responsibility, least of all yours!”
He shrugged. “A lot of things. The only thing you need to be concerned about right now is how to get along with me. Believe me. That’s enough to keep you occupied for a very long while. And just so you know? I don’t view you as a responsibility. It’s my privilege to be here for you.”
Cyrus brushed a tendril of hair off my forehead. It was an intimate, tender gesture. One I never would have guessed the man capable of. When I thought about it, I had to wonder why I’d seized on him in the first place. I’d known from that brief time at Salvation’s Bane when he’d carried me over his shoulder kicking and screaming back to my brother that he was gruff and unbending. When he talked to Donovan, he was every bit the hard-ass. I hadn’t seen this side of him before, and I got the feeling not many people had.
“You didn’t answer my question. Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what? Holding you in my lap?”
“Taking care of me. Telling the doctor you were my husband. Bringing me to your room. Is it because of how you found me last night? Because I promise I won’t be doing that again. It was stupid, but I needed…” I trailed off, not sure how to express myself.
“To find oblivion? A way to escape everything for a little while?” When I nodded, he smiled gently. “I get it, lil’ bit. But you’re right. You won’t be doing it again. Not while I’m alive.”
“Cyrus --”
“No, Odette. I’m serious.” He shifted his grip and turned me to face him, straddling his hips. My knees were on the bed beside him, my hands on his shoulders to balance myself. Cyrus pulled me down so that I sat fully on him. When I felt his cock twitch beneath my pussy, I sucked in a breath.
“Oh, God,” I breathed.
“Hush, lil’ bit. Listen to me.” He put both his hands on my face, framing it as he gazed at me. “What happens with this baby is your choice. I’ll be here to support you no matter what. But there are some things you need to accept and understand.” He waited until I nodded slightly. My breath came quicker and I had to bite my cheek to keep from whimpering. “First, you’re gonna tell me why you came to Evansville. Second, I want you to let me help you figure out what you’re going to do.”
“You said it was my choice.”
“It is, baby. Completely your choice. But no matter what you choose, you’re gonna need someone in your corner helpin’ you. That’s me. You tell me what you want, and I’ll make it a reality. No matter what it is. Understand?”
“Not really.”
“Then let me spell this part out right now. You’re with me now, Odette. We’re a couple. You’re gonna be my old lady and stay here with me. I’ll deal with your brother, but this is a done thing. You just need to tell Sting you’re good with it, and Wylde will take care of everything else.”
I barked out a laugh. “Sounds like you’re ordering me to marry you, or something.”
“Ain’t askin’ and takin’ the chance you’ll say no. I already tried to bully Wylde into filin’ the paperwork to make us legally married, but he refused until Sting gave him the go-ahead. I don’t like the word ‘no’, so I avoid it any way I can.”
“How convenient. For you.” I couldn’t help the smile tugging at my lips. Inappropriate as it was, the man was just too cute for words. Beneath that gruff exterior was a man who was slightly insecure. At least with his feelings. Which, I was sure, he’d never admit.
“I like the path of least resistance. Easier for everyone.”
“That it?”
“Nope. You’re also gonna tell me what son of a bitch knocked you up, then let you leave.”
“I don’t think that’s your business, Cyrus.” I shrugged. “It’s over between me and him. Not sure there was ever really anything to begin with.”