Page 51 of Primal

“Relationship, huh?” I tease her.

“Wait… What… No… that’s not what I meant.”

I grab the back of her neck, bringing her forehead to touch mine, and kiss her. Showing her how I feel about her through this kiss.

A throat clearing brings me back. “Are you both ready to order, or would you like a few more minutes?”

“A few more minutes, please,” Sophia says. Good thing because I look like I was close to snapping the waitress’s head off.

“Stop. She was only doing her job.” Ignoring her comment, I ask a more pressing question.

“You’ve finally accepted that you’re mine.” Her face gets all serious and she leans forward. I can see the mischief shining in her eyes. She can’t fool me.

“I will never be yours, Maxim. I’m not a property you can buy and hide away from the world.”

“On the contrary, printsessa, I plan to show you off to the world as mine and mine alone.”

“You think because you say so, people will do as you say?”

“Yes, they do because they fear me.”

She gulps. “I don’t fear you.” I can tell she’s lying. She may not fear me as men do, but she’s scared. I tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear and lean in close.

“You should be scared. You have no idea what I'm capable of, Sophia, when I let my lion out.”

“Is that supposed to scare me?”

“It’s more of a warning.” She pulls away from me. That won't do. I want her close, so I grab her neck, pulling her back to me with our foreheads touching.

“I’m not a good man, Sophia. I’ve never pretended to be. I’m the villain in everyone’s story.”

“You’re not bad with me.”

“You’re the exception. I don’t want you to be scared of me, but don’t mistake and take it for weakness, Sophia. I may want you more than I’ve ever wanted something in my life, but that doesn’t mean you’re safe. When I unleash the lion, no one is safe.”

“Hi, are you both ready to order?” For fuck’s sake, this waiter has terrible timing.

“Yes, we are. Bring us a bottle of the best wine we have in stock. She’ll have the steak alfredo with extra sauce, and I’ll have my usual. That will be all for now.”

“Yes, sir,” the waitress says and scurries away.

“It’s not polite to speak to your employees like that.”

“I’m the boss; I can do and say what I please.”

“Just because you’re the owner doesn’t give you the right, Maxim,” she says, exasperated like she has to explain simple manners to a child.

“Nothing is stopping you from being a better man, Maxim.” I give her a cold smile. What am I doing? I don’t want to scare her. I want her in my life.

“Yes, something like that.”

“Enlighten me?”

“My nature.” She opens her mouth to say something, but I’ve had enough with this shit.

“Enough, Sophia. I am who I am, and that’s fucking it,” I snap at her. She seems to mull it over, then looks around. She doesn't say anything else, probably trying to avoid a bigger scene.

“This is not over.” With that final comment, she turns her head away.

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