Page 46 of Wicked Magik
I snarled and grabbed her to hold her closer to me.
“There are some that hold virginity as a trophy. They want someone who is untouched. They will only love and care for someone that has not been tainted.”
The thought was absurd to me. I did not feel her logic made much sense, but I would still take care of my pet and keep her. I licked up her neck and onto her cheek.
“Silly,” she giggled. “While I knew not many would want me because I was strange, I definitely didn’t want anyone to wantme just because I had my virginity. I wanted them to want me, for me.”
I knew I would not like the next part.
“I told the boy, because that’s what he acted like, that I was interested in a one-night stand. At first, he laughed and walked away. Later, after his friends goaded him he returned, alcohol on his breath. He grabbed my arm, without a word and took me to the house party’s bedroom.” She shuttered. “And that was that.”
Vesper's voice wavered, and I could feel the dampness of her tears on my forehead. Each word she spoke was a dagger to my hearts, hearts I hadn't even known could ache until I met her. I wanted to tear apart the world that had caused her such pain, to rip to shreds those who had made her feel less than the radiant being she was.
"He left you," I growled, the words like bitter ash on my tongue. "He dared to treat you as if you were nothing." My body quaked with rage, but Vesper's gentle touch on my arm kept me grounded. Her fingers traced the lines of my muscles, soothing the beast within me that threatened to erupt.
"It's in the past, Oryx. It was what I wanted. I didn’t want anyone to want me. Unless they really, really want this." She pointed to her chest. "And I won't lie and say it didn't hurt. I promised myself that day I would not have sex or make love to anyone unless I had feelings, true, deep feelings. I’m coming to have that with you, Ory but I’m scared."
Her words sent a shiver down my spine, and I nuzzled closer to her, inhaling her scent deeply. She was right; her past had led her to me, and for that, I could not be entirely sorry. But the thought of anyone causing her pain still ignited a fury.
"You are mine now," I rumbled, my voice a possessive growl. "Mine to protect, mine to cherish. No one will ever harm you again."
While her scent drove me to the brink of insanity to keep her, I liked who she was. She treated me…different. Like I was a person, not a monster to be feared.
Vesper smiled softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know," she whispered, her fingers tracing the contours of my face. "And you are mine, Oryx. My protector, my friend..." She hesitated, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. "My very,very goodfriend."
A low groan escaped my lips at her words, and I felt a surge of desire course through me. I wanted to claim her, to make her mine in every way possible. But I remembered the fear in her eyes earlier, the hesitation that held her back. I would not push her; I would wait until she was ready, until she came to me willingly.
"When you are ready," I murmured, my voice rumbled softly. "I will be here. And until then, I will be content with your touch, your smile, your presence by my side. Because I give myself to you."
Vesper's eyes welled up with tears again, but this time, they were tears of happiness. She leaned in and pressed her lips to my skull, a soft kiss that held a promise of more. My heart swelled with love for this fragile human who had stolen my heart and made it her own.
She was still the prettiest human, better than any fae or goblin that I had ever seen.
Which isn’t much, but she would be prettier than any.
“I think you are the most beautiful creature.” I pet her long white hair behind her. “And while you might think you are able to leave, you can’t.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Figured that out pretty quick. You aren’t as sly as you think you are.”
My ears perked up in surprise.
“And, just because I’m not ready to um, do the nasty doesn’t mean we can’t uh, do other things.” She fluttered her eyes at me.
“Is there something in your eye?” I leaned forward and pushed my eye hole closer to hers.
She scoffed. “No, I’m flirting. Let’s get out of here before I embarrass myself more.”
Flirting.
I read her mind and saw what she is trying to do.
She is trying to entice me.
She has no need to do that. I am already ready.
Already hard.
I’malwayshard now.
