Page 93 of Captured By the Scaled Outlaw
His mouth curls into a dopey smile, his pupils enlarged. “You love me?”
I slap my palms to my face, covering my rapidly boiling cheeks. Mybody curls into itself as if trying to disappear, embarrassment washing over me.
With a satisfied chuckle, Lowell leans forward, his face inches from mine. “I knew you’d say it first.”
“Just drop it,” I grumble, flustered. My heart is pounding so hard it may break a rib. “Forget I said anything.”
Lowell does not reply, but his deep, growling breaths grow louder with each second of silence.
I’d never told anyone other than Grandma that I loved them, and I’d neverlovedanyone else before. Although terrifying, the words that seemed scary now hang on my lips again like sweet syrup, begging me to take another taste.
I gingerly peek through my fingers when a full minute passes without Lowell’s response.
Bright amber eyes stare back at me. In them lies total, unfiltered elation.
“Say it again,” he whispers, saliva building in his maw.
I press my lips together shyly, lowering my hands.
“Say it again,” he demands, louder. His tongues wipe away the saliva, the corners of his mouth curved.
The fear of rejection nags at my chest, taunting and cold. I gather my courage, and without further hesitation, I release the words I’ve wanted to say for a long time.
“I love you, Lowell,” I begin, touching my hands to my reddening cheeks. “Even with your many,many,flaws…”
I gasp when Lowell pulls me towards him, crashing his mouth to mine to cut me off. He hums while licking at the seam of my lips feverishly, his hands hovering over my shoulders to hold himself back.
When we part, his expression is amorous and dripping with lust.
“You alsolovehow I bend you over the dresser and rail you, right?” he jests. “Don’t forget that part.”
I roll my eyes so hard it makes my head spin. “Can’t you take anything seriously?” I say through a laugh.
His expression remains bratty, lips pursed and fleshy eyebrows askew. “Not until Iknowyou’re mine.”
Little does he know, I already am. In more ways than one.
“Behave,” I say, flicking his nose.
Ever since I decided to stay, I’ve been happier than I ever thought possible. When we aren’t on missions, I’ve been teaching Lowell the fundamentals of biology and chemistry to help him better understand our enemy. He constantly complains about how “difficult” it all is, but I see the glimmer of excitement in his eyes when he recognizes something we’ve discussed, even though he gets more excited to destroy it.
Being a part of Gaia 4 has helped me understand why Grandma took the risks she did. I’ve often wondered if she’d be proud of me or not, but I tend not to dwell on it. I’ve made my own choices to become someoneI’mhappy with.
Lowell squeezes me tight, pulling me from my thoughts.
I rub my lips together, smiling. “If you get one thing through that hard head of yours, it should be that I don’t regret staying and have no intention of leaving any time soon. Or ever, for that matter.”
“Good, because the day you leave me is the day you die. I will never let you go,” he says, the timbre of his voice vibrating my skin. His claws press into me as he pulls me closer, his lips hovering over mine. “That being said, I’ve loved you since the first day you arrived at Gaia 4. Even if I didn’t know it, yet.”
“You sure had a cruel way of showing it,” I reply, pressing my body to his. The scales of his chest bring a comfort I’ve rarely ever known, enveloping me with ease.
“I make up for it now, don’t I?” Lowell breathes in my ear, peppering me with kisses. “But it’s no secret that you wouldn’t have fucked me ifI weren’t cruel and psychotic.”
I can’t help but snicker. Because he’s right — I love his constant fulfillment of instincts, even if deranged. I’m trying to be more like that, too, to act as things come to me.
Lowell joins in with a deep laugh.
“Goddess, you’re such a damned idiot,” I say, groaning playfully.
