Page 27 of Honor and Claim

“Too bad.”

I snort a laugh, not sure what to make of this Z. He’s different but not really. I can’t explain it, but I like it. This is the closest I’ve felt to him in a long time. I love how open we are both being about our true feelings. Even though I’m hiding some of mine behind sarcasm, he knows me well enough to expect this from me. He said so himself earlier.

“All I’m saying is why not watch me in person?” I flick my hair off my shoulder, giving him a smirk. “Isn’t it better in person?” Z lets out a small groan, his cock hardening more under me. I’m starting to think that thing never goes down. Which I will be taking as a compliment.

"I will be watching in person from now on. You'll miss your freedom." Not sure I agree, but time will tell. Z could take off again. If I’m pregnant, the news could freak him out, and all the progress we’ve made could go straight down the drain.

"You still haven't told me why you took off after, you know."

"I fucked you with no regard for your virginity." He clenches his teeth. He does that when he's trying to mask his anger or temper it. "Did I hurt you?"

"No." It didn't hurt. There was a slight pinch, but I was so wrapped up in him and what was finally happening between us I didn't care about anything else. I wanted that moment with him more than I had wanted anything else in my life.

"I thought I dreamed it. I don't know." He shakes his head, his expression like he's contemplating what had happened. "I was for sure still drunk. That had to have been it. It jumbled together."

I stare at him, taking in what he's saying. A ball forms in my stomach. "Oh God." I try to move, but he doesn't let me. "You didn't want to have sex with me.” I close my eyes. "I took advantage of you."

Z bursts into laughter, and my eyes fly open. "What's so funny?"

"You didn't take advantage of me. That's a ridiculous notion. I wanted it. Dreamt of it too many times before to even admit it openly.” Damn, why is it so hot when he says he wanted it?

"Yeah, but not enough to ever do anything about it. If not for that asshole or me coming toyourroom, where would you be? Still fighting with me? Off ignoring me?" This isn't making me feel better.

"Cosima, listen to me." He grips my chin, pulling my gaze back to his. "You and I as anuswas inevitable, and it was that asshole that helped nudge along what was always a foregone conclusion. I left that house the next morning knowing I needed to get my head right because the dream felt so real, and I knew if I saw you, I might pounce on you, and I was sober, so I got the hell out of there because I thought you were still pissed about me going off on you and wouldn't take kindly to me claiming you."

"Claiming me?"

“All right.” He smirks, making me glare at him. “Letting you be aware of my claim because I promise you this, sweetness. I have never in my life ignored you.”

“I am hard to ignore.” I huff, shrugging my shoulders.

“Impossible to ignore.” He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him. I bury my face in his neck.

“The stupid note.” That had really been a dagger in my heart.

“I was apologizing for yelling at you.”

I lie there with my head on his shoulder, not sure what is next. “This is a lot to take in.”

Z strokes his fingers up and down my back. “But it’s time. I can’t keep going on this way.” His voice sounds pained.

“I can’t either. It’s been so hard. I’m mad you’ve waited this long.” I give his neck a small bite.

“Don’t be a brat.”

“I think you might enjoy it when I’m a brat.” I know I can’t deny that I enjoy getting under his skin.

“I enjoy anything when you’re near.”

“Oh, that’s why you sent me away.”

“First off, I didn’t send you away. Your parents and you came to the decision.”

“And you agreed to it.” I lift my head.

“You were young. Fuck, you’re still young, and you know this isn’t going to land well with the rest of the family.” His words only stoke the worries I've already been having about how they’ll all react to the news of him and me being together.

“You act like you’re a million years older than me.”

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