Page 16 of Destined for Dreams
“Is it weakening him not to drink human blood?” Bartol asked.
She nodded. “He thinks it is, but it’s only been a few days since I gave him the tattoo, so I think it’s still too early to tell. He looked fine.”
“And these incidents—they’re hurting your business?”
Cori rubbed her face. “The supernaturals are avoiding my shop now, and I think they’re even telling humans not to visit. Business is down so much that I’m closing the place for all of this week since Thanksgiving is usually slow for me anyway.” She drew the blanket tighter. “I got the money to start that shop from the inheritance my father left me because he always believed I could make it work, and I feel like…”
“…you’re failing him,” Bartol finished.
“Yes,” she agreed. “And if it keeps up, I may lose the place altogether.”
“This isn’t your fault.”
The pain he was feeling coming from her was overwhelming. He couldn’t sit a handful of feet away any longer without getting closer and comforting her. In a flash, he grabbed Cori and pulled her into his arms, settling them onto the couch where she fit into the cradle of his arms.
She looked up at him, locking her gaze with his. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do.” He pulled her head into the crook of his neck, content to have her near him for as long as he could handle it. “And we will find a way to fix this.”
“I don’t see how,” she mumbled.
“I’ll figure it out.”
She might not have committed to him yet, but it had been a huge step for her to come to him with this problem. It showed she trusted him on some level. He could work with that, and perhaps if he gave her some of the stability she needed—financial and emotional—she might begin to consider making their relationship permanent. He wanted that more than anything. The woman in his arms was worth more to him than gold or jewels. She was rare and accepted him with all his flaws. He didn’t want to lose her if he could do something to make her take that final step toward total commitment. And he had the power to make her life better, but it would mean making some very difficult decisions.
Bartol waited until her breaths became even and she fully relaxed into his arms. Then he carried her toward his bed. She woke as he laid her onto the mattress, and she reached up to clutch his shirt. He’d never seen her more vulnerable or sexy.
“Stay with me.”
He shouldn’t. The wisest course of action would be to flee to the couch and let her have the bed, but once she rose up and touched her lips to his, he was lost. He sank into the kiss and pulled her arms over her head so that he could feel secure as he settled on top of her. For long minutes, they kissed like two lovers who needed each other more than air.
Bartol pulled away, standing over her where she lay on the bed. “Take your clothes off.”
She didn’t waste any time obeying his command, and he followed suit. This time he needed to be skin-to-skin with her. This time he wasn’t going to try any of his old tricks or impress her with his skills. This time he wanted to make love to his mate and hope for the best that she could see he was the only one for her.
As he climbed onto the mattress, she willingly kept her hands resting against the headboard and out of the way without him having to ask. Then she spread her bare legs apart, inviting him. Dear God. How had he managed to stay apart from her all these weeks? He sunk into her warmth, ready to take all she had to give.
