Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
He could see the indecision warring on her lovely face. Clearly part of her wanted to protest that she could take care of herself, but another, larger part was worried about what he’d just said. He didn’t like to scare her but he also didn’t like leaving her here unprotected. He had begun to think maybe it would be best to take her with him but he could tell Victoria was a strong-willed female—she would need a good reason to come away from her home with a male who was still little more than a stranger.
“I don’t have a man in my life right now, that’s true,” she said at last. “But I’m fine on my own. At least, I have been up until now.”
“You ought to get out of town for a few days—just until the threat passes,” Chain suggested. “In fact…” He frowned, as though considering it for the first time. “Maybe it’s best if you come with me. I can keep you safe if the Varians try to track you.”
“Go with you where?” Victoria demanded, placing a hand on one lush full hip and frowning at him. “I don’t even know you. All I know is that you’re a Kindred warrior who can hop into other people’s heads—which is kind of weird, honestly.”
“I told you I was an M-Switch Kindred,” Chain pointed out. “I never tried to hide it. That’s what M-Switch means—that I can leave my own body and take over the body of another for a short while.”
“But that’s bizarre.” Victoria protested. “I mean—what if you just want me to come with you so you can hop into my head and make me…do all kinds of things?”
Chain gave her a knowing grin.
“Why, Victoria my lovely little Elite—what kind of ‘things’ do you think I’d have you do?”
She blushed, which made her cheeks a becoming rosy pink and brightened her eyes.
“Well, you know…sex things.”
Chain raised an eyebrow at her.
“You mean I might want to hop into your body so I could touch you all over and you couldn’t stop me?”
“Well…yes, I guess.” Her blush deepened.
“You can put your fears to rest,” Chain told her. “I’m an M-Switch Kindred—the M stands for ‘male.’ Meaning I can only jump into the bodies of other males—I cannot jump to your body because you’re female.”
Her face cleared. “That’s a relief, anyway.”
Chain frowned. “Even if that wasn’t the case, Victoria, if I wanted to take advantage of you, don’t you think I could have done it earlier while you were completely paralyzed from the Varian’s ray?”
“I suppose so,” she said uncertainly.
“Please believe me,” Chain told her earnestly. “I may be a scoundrel and a thief, but I am not an abuser or a rapist. I prefer my females to be completely willing—willing and eager—before I take them.” He gave her a grin. “Or they take me. I’m not opposed to being on the bottom sometimes. In fact, I rather like it.”
“You’re a Kindred—that’s definitely in your favor.” She ignored his innuendo, sounding thoughtful. “I’ve never heard of any Kindred hurting or abusing a woman. Mostly when they’re in the news for any kind of violence it’s because they were defending a woman they love.”
“Exactly. Because we worship the Goddess and revere all things female and feminine,” Chain told her earnestly. “So when I ask you to come with me for a couple of days, it’s only to protect you from danger. Not to try and take advantage of you in any way—I promise. And if an oath is necessary to satisfy you of my truthfulness, I’ll swear to it.”
“An oath?” She looked at him uncertainly.
Chain came over to her and dropped to one knee before her. Reaching up, he took one of her hands in both of his and looked earnestly into her eyes.
“Beautiful Victoria,” he murmured. “I, Chainor of the M-Switch Kindred do give my oath to protect you from all that is harmful or dangerous for as long as we are together. I will shield your body with my own, lend an ear to all your troubles, share your sorrows and joys, pleasure you thoroughly and deeply if you so desire it, and be the best damn companion any female could ask for if only you’ll come with me for a few days until I’m certain it’s safe for you to return to your home.”
“Wow…” She looked down at him, though she didn’t have to look far because of his height. Even on one knee he was almost as tall as the curvy little Earth female.
“Well? Will you come with me?” Chain asked. “At least let me take you to the Mother Ship while I fulfill the second part of my mission and get the other half of the T’lix-Kruthe. Then I can bring you back to Earth on my return.”