Page 32 of The Crownless King
“Levi,” she started after a moment, “what are you planning to do with me?”
He was so quiet that she didn’t think he would answer.
“All my instincts tell me that you’re mine. The man in me wishes I had done things the right way, but the monster doesn’t give a fuck. I’m still trying to sort it all out in my mind, but you’re mine, under my roof, and I have no plans on letting you go.”
Chapter eleven
Amaya’s palm was soft against his, and Levi reveled in the feeling of their hands touching.
It was the first touch from his mate that he hadn’t had to coerce from her.‘Be nicer to her’were Lucas’s words to him. He could start there, but he was at a loss of how to bridge the tension between them. He’d said…and done some things that he wasn’t sure she would forgive him for. Her very freedom was at his whim. That wasn’t something he imagined she’d just get over.
Honestly, he was surprised that she’d answered his call. She’d resisted their blood bond every other instance before, so he hadn’t expected this time to be any different. His gaze traced the tight black jumpsuit she wore. It was molded to her curves, showing off the soft curve of her stomach. There were no sleeves, just tiny straps that held it up, barely containing her breasts. Fuck, she was beautiful. He averted his eyes to gather himself under control.
He finally broke the silence. “How was work?”
She scoffed. “Is this what we gon’ do? Just pretend like you aren’t holding me hostage?”
“Maya,” he warned her.
She sighed. “I just promised Raven that I would watch my mouth around you. I don’t know what it is about you that irritates me so.”
He couldn’t help the smile that tilted his lips. “Have you tried filtering?”
“I know you ain’t talking.”
He shook his head. “You right. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to censor the way I talk to people.”
“My mom seems to think you’re nice, so clearly you can do it with her. Although I don’t know why I expect different since you did kidnap me.”
“Woman, God damnit, if you say ‘kidnap’ one mo’ fucking time, I’ma lose my shit!” he snapped and stopped walking.
“Oh, so now I can’t even speak the truth? News flash, you kidnapped me, ass—”
He cut off her words and gripped her chin in his hands, slamming his lips against hers. The kiss he took from her was hard, impatient, and it didn’t take long for her to return it. Her mouth opened and his tongue swept inside, his second taste of her clenching his stomach with lust and hunger. Gentling his touch on her chin, he used his other hand to cup her face, tilting his head to get a better angle. She followed his lead, her body going pliant, softening. He finally pulled back and laid his forehead against hers.
“I’ll give you more than whatever you could dream to ask for if you just give me a chance, Maya.”
He was close to begging, and instead of getting mad at the thought of that, his mind settled. It could be the result of him being so close to her, perhaps her magic. Either way, a calmness he’d not felt in months overtook his body.
“But you can’t give me my freedom?”
“I can’t give you that. The beast that lives inside me now won’t allow it.” He slid his cheek against hers, inhaling her scent. “I’ll burn all this shit down behind you, baby doll. But livingwithout you is not an option. If I have to lock you up for your own safety, then that’s what it is.”
She stepped back. Her eyes were in turmoil, the battle between her heart and mind fully exposed.
“This can’t happen,” she said softly.
“Says who?” He closed the distance between them, needing the touch of her magic.
“Says every text ever written about supernaturals. Bayi and Chawi are not allowed to mate, most especially chaos witches. We would be hunted down and killed or worse, cursed. Do you know how much danger that would put my mother in?”
That was part of her appeal to him. Even in the midst of danger, his baby doll’s worry was for her mother. He understood the selflessness that went into being responsible for others. They were kindred in that way.
Still, Levi scoffed at her worry. “It’s been decades since I’ve followed someone else’s rules.”
Amaya sighed. “This isn’t a good idea, Levi. And since you…”
He growled, “If you say that word…”
