Page 70 of The Bodyguard and the Alpha
The way she’d stared me down at her initial interview, when she knew I doubted her.
How I’d wanted to take her against the wall of the Palace corridor and sink my canines into her delicate neck.
Her courage. Her determination to do her job to the best of her ability. Every single day. Even through her loneliness and the burn-out of a job she’d never wanted.
I showed her my memory of how she’d stood in front of me when she knew that the man masquerading as a server at the Summit was there to harm me. Without an instant’s doubt, she faced danger. To protect me.
I let her see that she was MAGNIFICENT. A queen.
She blinked slowly.
That’s how you see me?
That’s who you are.
Chapter 63
Electra
Every word, every affirmation, filled my soul with light.
That’s how you see me?
That’s who you are.His eyes on mine were steady. Warm. Filled with tenderness and… admiration.
My skin heated in a blush, drawing my attention to my body, draped over his. To my skin that was pressed against his very naked chest. To the large bulge between us.
Relax. Just let me take care of you.
I smirked.
Not like that. He nipped my skin. A little admonishing bite.Not until I know that you believe, truly believe, that you are my mate.
Sighing, I dropped my head to his chest, letting the steady beat of his heart soothe me.I was ready to let you go. To leave so that the circumstances of our bond can’t be used against us. Against you.
His growl rumbled against my skin.You can’t leave me. There is nowhere on this Earth you could go where I wouldn’t find you.
Wow. I took a deep breath. This was it. Now or never. I needed to know. Nervous, I licked my lips. His eyes tracked the movement, his pupils dilating. I tried to ignore the heat that look generated between my legs. I knew he wanted me. That was obvious. But that didn’t mean he still wanted our bond. So far, everything he’d said had indicated he wanted to stay mated to me. But, unless I asked the question specifically, doubt would still eat away at my self-confidence.You don’t regret the bond?
Impossibly, his eyes flared with even more heat. His voice down the bond was a sensual purr that caused gooseflesh to rise on my skin.My biggest regret is that I waited so long. I will never regret bonding you.You are my mate.
One large hand started to stroke my spine. I wanted to arch into it like a cat. I regret—
Oh gods. Here it comes.I couldn’t stop the spike of anxiety.
—not Declaring my Intent properly. I didn’t get your full consent before I bit you.A pulse of guilt flowed down the bond.I can’t let you go, but I’m sorry for how I did it. For not giving you a true choice.
I lifted my head, my eyes meeting his. He was frowning, his luscious lips downturned.
Right. That shit ended now. We’d been misunderstanding each other for too long. That was my fault and I was ready to own it. I’d shut my mate out. Refused to believe in our bond. Refused to believe in him.
I spoke the words out loud. Wanting him to hear them as well as feel them. Wanting him to understand that I meant them with every fibre of my being. “I’m not sorry. I consented. In my head I was pretending that you were asking for the bond, when I said yes. I wanted your bite.”
Bastien’s smile lit up his whole face. Gods, he was so handsome. It was going to take me some time to really believe that that my fantasy had come true. That he wanted me, anxiety and all.
I said yes, I repeated down the mental link.
He sent me a flood of emotion through the bond.Joy. Relief. Love. Like sunlight driving away the darkness in my mind. Strong arms hugged me even closer against his hard body. He dropped a kiss onto the top of my head.Thank you, baby. That’s a gift I never expected to receive. I will work every day to be worthy.
