Page 51 of Dark & Dreadful Brutes

I chuckled. “I’ve never had a life partner. You’ll be the first.”

“Life partner does not have the same ring to it as mate. And I never agreed to be either of those things, as you know.” She groaned again. “You’ve got to stop. I’m not going to be able to sleep without this next time.”

My lips curved upward wickedly. “I can think of another way to relax you.”

Her foot shot out, kicking me. It didn’t hurt in the slightest, but I grumbled at her as if it did. “Another rule: nothing sexual can happen until I’ve decided I’m willing to consider being with you in a romantic capacity.”

“Something sexual already happened,” I pointed out. “But that’s fine; you’re going to beg me to taste you soon.”

She scowled at me. “I’m not going to beg you for anything.”

“We’ll see, Lae.” I dug my thumbs into her muscles again, and she finally pushed my hands away.

“This is all too much.”

I dragged her into my arms. She sighed as I tucked her head beneath my chin, holding her close.

“I hate how much I like this,” she muttered. “Why do you feel so damn good?”

“Ask fate.” My chest rumbled against her back, and I pulled her closer, catching the tiniest bit of Toveo’s scent in her hair. “Veil, I need to scrub you clean.”

“Tomorrow,” she whispered.

“Only if you’ll let me touch you to mark you with my scent afterward.”

“Fine.” She sighed softly. “I should hate your possessiveness.”

“You’d be just as angry if you smelled another woman on me.”

“I’m not going to think about or acknowledge that statement.”

I chuckled. “Go to sleep, Lae.”

“My parents used to call me that.” Her words were barely audible. “Don’t use it if you’re going to hurt me again.”

My heart clenched.

I ached to hear her story… but I’d have to wait until she was ready to give it to me.

“I won’t.”

She made a noise of agreement, and then slowly, her breathing evened out. I cradled her to my chest, closing my eyes and focusing on the feel of her in my arms rather than the scent lingering on her skin.

She was mine; she would always be mine.

I’d survive a few hours of another man’s scent on her.

Chapter 11

Laeli

“What are you doing?” I groaned, as Ravv lifted me out of bed.

I felt disoriented—I could’ve fallen asleep a few minutes earlier, a few hours earlier, or a few days earlier for all I could tell.

“I can’t stand his scent on you for another minute,” he growled at me, gripping me tightly to his chest.

“Really, Ravv?”

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