Page 41 of Destined By Dragonblood
Vanni
I studied my hand, remembering the feel of Ashley’s reddened ass cheeks. Satiny smooth. Hot and deliciously fleshy. My index finger had later grazed the top of her ear while I’d tucked back strands of her hair.
Tingles still raced up my arm whenever I relived those moments from Friday night.
Before dropping her off, which I hadn’t been comfortable doing, I requested she keep in touch with me over the weekend. She’d insisted on going home alone and had texted me as she’d climbed into bed later, safe and sound.
I hated her being by herself, believing someone—two someones according to her strange sixth sense—stalked her every move.
Ashley had only felt the good eyes after climbing from my car and as I’d walked her to her front door. She seemed pleased by the supposed presence. I had no say in her life, but if I’d had my way, Ashley would have been safe and sound in my bed where I could keep her close and protect her.
But her independence won out, and I felt as though a piece of my soul lay too far away with every night that passed.
Heaving a heavy exhale, I got up from my couch and went into the kitchen, needing another glass of water. I’d worked my body hard in my home gym earlier in the day and had run five miles atop the weights I’d lifted. Exhaustion should have put me down for the night, but my body vibrated with excess energy as it had since I’d first come into contact with Ashley’s skin.
I guzzled the water and looked down at my hand again.
How could one scene impact me so deeply that I couldn’t think about another female? Even memories of my ex didn’t rouse bitterness with how caught up I’d become in my desire for Ashley.
That other pea in the pod though—Dolyn…
Blood pushed toward my groin, and I cursed, pressing down on my swelling cock. That man. Infuriatingly sexy as fuck, enticing enough I practically had begged to touch him as I had Ashley.
His refusal had stung, and his inability to slip into subspace, even though I’d given him everything I had packed behind my whip, confused the hell out of me. What had caused such strength to build up that his natural submission gave way to stubbornness?
I lusted to peel back his layers, dive deep into his psyche. Break him down and rebuild him into the person he yearned to be.
Same as I wished for Ashley.
Shaking my head, I meandered back into my living room and slouched on my couch, head tipped back, legs spread, ignoring the ache growing inside me.
Dolyn was a stranger, a two-time scene and done guy.
Ashley held the possibility of a future, and even though I allowed myself vulnerability with her, I would attempt to make myself content with crumbs if that was all she offered.
My cell rang, and I leaned forward to grab it off the coffee table.
Ponder on my beautiful angel, and her name appeared on my screen.
“Hey,” I answered, hoping for the best. “Everything okay?”
“I met him.”
The stalker. I sat upright even though she sounded pleased, happy, even, rather than scared.
“What happened?” I asked, my tone barely regulated.
“He approached me in Dunkin’ Donuts,” she continued, her voice almost purr-like, twisting my guts up tight.
I frowned as she went on to describe how gorgeous he was, how the sight of him, his proximity, caused her heart to beat too fast. How his smile and steady gaze made her feel the same as when she’d felt his watchful gaze—aroused.
My muscles tightened, and spots flashed in my vision. I would rip him apart. Tear off his head?—
“He was a perfect gentleman, and yet something felt…off about him.”
I clung to her cautious tone, desperate to keep this man away from her. “You have to trust your instincts.”
“See, that’s what’s strange,” Ashley said, thoughtfully. “My instincts say yes, and my past trauma causes my head to say no.”
