Page 18 of A Debt of Darkness

“Why are you doing this?” Ivy asks.

My head tilts, confused. I wonder if her question is vague because she doesn’t know what she’s asking. Her expression screams certainty but her scent floods the room with doubt. She isn’t trying to trick me, nor figure out how I work. She’s still lost and she needs guiding through this.

“You’re beautiful.”

Her eyes bulge as heat flushes up her neck and spreads over her cheeks. She gnaws her lip and I could devour her even though I’m as startled as she is, shocked by her response. Her heart’s fluttering and her breathing’s faltering, like she’s never been told this before. It’s incredible and impossible, and she’s made me feel warm. Special. Almost alive.

“You are,” I say in a barely audible voice.

Her blush deepens and she squirms. Fuck, the things I want to do to her are driving me insane and I’m desperate for her to be ready. I’m desperate to dive between those legs of hers and fuck her until my cock’s imprinted on her pussy. Until she knows who owns it.

“I don’t want you because you’re convenient, Ivy. I want you because you’re perfect.”

She swallows and struggles to hold my gaze. It's almost impossible to discern the emotions crashing through her as they swing so violently from one to another. She doesn't believe me. She's skeptical, cynical, and utterly convinced I'm out to screw her over. I am, just not like that. Not in a way she won't take pleasure from.

Maybe she needs a different kind of help. Another lifeline to stop her from drowning in the ocean of her emotions. She must be overwhelmed. It must be a lot to process. Now she's bound to me, I could nudge her along. I could soothe her soul and ease her anxiety. It wouldn't be taking away her free will, more coaxing her to where she's too afraid to venture.

“You'll settle soon. Things will get easier. I promise.”

Her nose twitches, and she thinks they should be easy already. She’s a romantic and I bet the flowers made the right impression, despite her protests. The painting too.

And then she shakes her head, dismissing any idea about us moving closer together.

This has gone on too long.

I've indulged her far too much.

She needs to stop resisting the inevitable and accept her place as my mate.

“May I?” I ask, surprising myself when I offer her my hand instead of wrapping it around her throat.

“I...” Ivy almost takes it but stops at the last moment. “Why?”

I smile. “Why not?”

“What do you want, Henry?”

Her.

I want her.

Everyinch of her body and every morsel of her soul. I want her laughter and her tears, her agony and ecstasy. I want her to accept I'm her Master and I'll provide whatever I deem necessary for her.

“I want you to be happy, Ivy.”

It isn't a lie.

“I want to make you happy.”

That isn’t a lie either.

“I want to give you everything you need. I want us to be happy together.”

That’s also true.

“I want you to trust me.”

That’s absolutely fucking true.

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