Page 28 of He Claimed Her Heart

“I think I would prefer to snuggle on the couch,” I answered him truthfully.

“I was hoping you’d say that,” he grinned as he changed our positions in lightning-fast speed.

I chuckled as helaid me on my back with him lying next to me. He had full access to my body. I looked up at him. “This is not what I had in mind, but okay,” I whispered as I placed my hand on his chest.

Helooked at me with a huge grin on his face. “What did you have in mind, my dear?” he asked innocently.

“Well, I was kind of hoping you’d be on your back and I could cuddle up next to you,” Ireplied innocently enough.

“I can go for that. Anything for you love,” he said as he kissed my lips as he repositioned us on the couch.

Once we got comfortable on the couch once again, I began to stroke his chest. It had a calming effect on me. He must have enjoyed it too because he started to purr. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. We both just enjoyed holding each other close.

All of the sudden,Drake loosened his grip on me. “Baby, I need to go deal with something real quick. I’ll be right back. Okay?” he announced in a soft, gentle voice.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you here,” I replied as I sat up.

Drake went to the door and exited in a hurry. Ipicked up my phone and set the alarm for 6 AM. I checked my messages. No new messages, other than the ones from Malachi from earlier. I marked those read and put my phone back on the coffee table. I guess reality finally struck me at that point. I have ten alphas waiting for me at home. I have one here with me. What in the world and I going to do? I’m sitting there rocking myself back and forth with a few tears coming down my face. I didn’t hear Drake come back into the suite.

Drake slowly approached me. He knelt down in front of me and placed his hands one on each side of my face.“What’s wrong honey? What can I do to make it better?” he asked with worry lacing his words.

I looked into his eyes. I didn’t really know how to articulate how I was feeling. “I guess reality finally hit home. I have you and ten alphas waiting for me at home. I don’t want to hurt anyone in the process of choosing a mate. I know that somewhere in the process, feelings will get hurt, and I can’t change that. And, I’m the cause of the pain. I just don’t …,” I stated as more tears started flowing down my face. Drake stopped me before I could finish my thoughts.

“Shush, baby. I’ve got you. I know, I know. Feelings will get hurt. That’s just a part of life. Nothing we can do about that. Just know that no matter what, I will always be here for you. No matter what. You know, you have this tough exterior but, on the inside, you are just as soft as the rest of us. I love that about you,” he explained as he continued to kiss away my tears.

“You love that about me?” I croaked as I tried to talk.

“Yes, I do. Now, I believe we need to get you into bed. It’s getting late and we have to get up early,” he announced as he stood in front of me extending his hands in front of him for me to take.

“Will you do me a favor Drake?” I asked him shyly as I took his hands.

“What can I do you for my love?” he replied with a wolfish grin that should be outlawed.

“Will you stay with me tonight? Will youhold me tonight? I don’t think I can be by myself tonight. I feel the need to be held,” I asked him with blush covering my cheeks.

“Of course, I can stay with you tonight and hold you. It would be my pleasure to do so. Just let me get ready first, then I will escort you to your suite so you can get ready for bed as well. Do you want to sleep in my bed or yours?” he asked with smile that would and could melt me into a puddle.

“I think I would prefer to sleep in my bed. Thank you for giving me a choice. I’ll wait while you go and change,” I exclaimed with a grin of my own.

“I’ll be right back,” he announced as he placed a kiss on my lips and departed into his bedroom to prepare for bed.

Drake reappeared five minutes later wearing his silk pajama pants hung low on his hips. He didn’t have a shirt on, but who cares. I was caught drooling because he chuckled at me as he held his hand out to me. “Say the word my dear and all of this is yours to keep,” he announced to me.

“Like I said this afternoon, if things keep going the way they are, I see us together,” I reminded him as he escorted me to my suite so I could get ready for bed.

“That’s my aim and purpose. I wantyou for my mate and my Luna,” he replied as we entered my suite.

I went into the bathroom of the master bedroom. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and was in the process of trying to braid my hair when I walked out of the bathroom. I came to a complete stop when I saw him sitting on the side of the bed.He is so handsome. I really could get used to seeing him like this every day. Once I finished with the braid, he stood up and picked me up bridal style. He gently placed me on the bed. He turned on the lamp beside the bed and turned the overhead light off. Then he walked around to the other side and slid under the covers next to me.

“Good night, love,” he said as he kissed me gently on the lips and then down the neck.

“Good night, Drake,” I replied as I moaned in reply tothe pleasure, he was giving me. I snuggled close to him and sighed. I took a deep breath of his scent—a hint of musk, a summer rain, and a hint of lavender. What a mix. I love the scent.

He wrapped his arms tightly around me and I felt safe and secure. I felt loved. I don’t know why I needed to feel that tonight, but I did. I didn’t have my dad or Tom nearby to reassure me that everything was going to be alright. Initially, my back was to him, but I wanted to face him. I turned in his arms. I placed my head on his shoulder and my arm went around his massive, muscled chest. My left leg came up and curled up around his right leg. I swear, I heard him purring with delight.

Now, that I was really comfortable, I fell asleep.The purring helped. When the alarm went off, I couldn’t move. Drake turned the alarm off for me. He looked down at me. Yes, he was on top of me. “Good morning, my love,” he said with a kiss to my lips.

“Good morning,” I mumbled ashis lips captured mine again.

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