Page 70 of Savage Promises

I swallow hard, heat crawling up my neck. Those words are still bouncing around in my head when suddenly I feel soft fur circling my ankles, purring for attention.

Shane’s eyes lower to the cat, and he stiffens.

“Oh crap. I forgot you have a cat.” He pulls back abruptly and pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Yeah, this is Hawk. Do you...like cats?”

“Um...” He erupts with a sharp and violent sneeze.

“Oh, no. You’re allergic to cats?”

His nod is followed by another sneeze.

I scoop up Hawk and put him back in the bedroom, but he darts away and evades me with the agility of a small ninja. “Shane, you should go.”

“Stop.” Shane holds up a hand, sniffling. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine! You’re—”

“Lennox,” he cuts me off, his voice steady, despite his watery eyes. “I’ll take something for the cat. You’re worth it.”

I blink at him, my throat tightening. “Are you sure?” I ask quietly, cradling Hawk now that he’s finally let me catch him.

“I’m so sure.” Shane smiles gently, taking the cat from my arms and setting him on the floor. Then he cups mychin, tilting my face up to meet his. “I do have to leave, though. There’s lots to do. Including reminding your father that Garrett owes us intel on the Albanian armory. I’m holding up my end of the deal, despite your sister’s disgrace.”

I close my eyes, guilt suffocating me. “I’ll speak to my father.”

“No,” he says sharply. “You stay out of your brother’s deceit. Yes, you’re the payment. The symbol of our union. I respect your independence. I support you. Don’t get involved in your father and brother’s lies.”

“Okay.”

“You’re mine, Lennox,” Shane growls. “You will have my name. I will give you everything you want.”

“Your heart?” I ask before I can stop myself.

He pauses and shakes his head. “No. That I cannot give. I’m not built to love. This world can’t survive on love because love makes you weak.”

“I won’t weaken you,” I whisper.

“Please don’t ask me to promise you something I can’t. I promise you, you will have an amazing life. I will give myself to you.” He rubs against me. “Every inch. And every facet of my soul.”

Just not his heart.

I inhale and nod, accepting this will have to be enough.

“Make no mistake, our marriage will be full and satisfying,” he whispers. “There will be kissing, Lennox. And touching. And sex. Sweaty, hot, take-your-breath-away sex.”

God...

“For now, can I kiss you goodnight?”

“Yes, please kiss me.”

Shane’s kiss is slow, deliberate, and claiming. By the time he pulls back, I’m dizzy.

“You’re mine,” he says, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “Be ready tomorrow at eleven.”

“Right. To see your mother.” I run my schedule through my head.

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