Page 13 of Chained

In a slow, slow movement, he puts his hand on my stomach, the huge span easily encompassing my small baby bump through my clothes.

I look up into his face, that handsome, dangerous face.

“Get your hand off me,” I say quietly. “I don’t belong to you.”

MAXYM

My little mate is going to make this a challenge. Her scent tells me everything I need to know, but she has a dagger in her hand, and it’s pointed directly at my cocks.

Cocks which would do absolutely anything to be inside her, save for actually being cut off.

I remove my hand from where it cups her swelling stomach. The knowledge confirmed there nearly made me mess my pants only moments earlier.

“I think you’ll find youaremine, little scrap.” I grin at her. “Whether you like it or not.”

“I don’t like it. And I don’t want it. I have many other problems, and you are not going to be one of them,” she retorts.

“Tell me your problems and I will eliminate them for you.”

“Not even going there.” She holds up a hand, the palm flat to my face. “Pick your weapon and I’ll put it aside for you.” She takes a couple of steps away and gestures to the table where the swords are laid out in perfect lines.

“And what if I don’t pick?”

“I’ll choose one for you.” She glares at me as if I’ve wronged her.

“Then I will let you choose.”

Cleo blinks at me.

“You will?” she queries before her boldness returns and her body stiffens. “You will,” she states. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have other clients to fit.”

I’m unable to contain myself, my movements swifter than I thought possible, and I have her caged against her weapons table.

“No other gladiator will touch you,” I rasp. “None.”

“Because I’m yours? I already told you…” she says unblinkingly, unconcerned at my presence so close to her.

Her scent is as intoxicating as a flagon of mead-wine with a paraxio chaser. I feel myself swaying as it invades my senses.

“Because I am here to protect you from anything which may harm you,” I respond.

“Oh.” Her lips make a perfect circle, and it’s all I can do to hold back from claiming them. “I suppose that’s okay.”

“It is?” I reel back.

“I mean, I was promised protection while I’m in the dome.” She peers around me. “And I don’t see anyone else.”

My anger rises from within like the steam from a hot spring.

“You were supposed to have protection?”

Cleo nods. “And you’re it, apparently.”

“I am?”

“You just said you were.”

There’s a clatter in the passage outside the armory and the sound of voices. The captain marches through the door with a set of guards at his rear.

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