Page 130 of Immortal Bastard

“That’s my choice—”

He held up a silencing hand, refusing to meet her stare. “I didn’t say I would force the subject. I’m merely saying we should refrain until you’re feeling stronger.”

And how exactly was that going to happen as long as she didn’t feed? He was forcing the subject, just not directly. “So now you’re withholding sex? You just negotiated for it yesterday!”

“I will not put my needs before yours.”

She scoffed. “What about my needs? What if I need sex?”

“You need nutrition more.”

“This is ridiculous.” Gathering up the sheet, she scooted off the bed, wincing again when the blankets scraped against her flesh. “Do whatever you want. I’m taking a bath.”

“Delilah…”

She dashed away a tear, unsure why she was crying.

“You’re emotional because you’re not feeding properly.”

“I’m emotional because I’m on a farm without modern plumbing. How do I empty this thing.”

He stood and fastened his pants. Bending at the backside of the tub, he turned a spigot she hadn’t noticed. “I built piping into the floor before you arrived. It empties into the gardens below.”

“Oh.” That was thoughtful. She didn’t know how to act when he told her stuff like that. In a way, he was only confessing to a premeditated crime. But in another way, it was sweet of him to put so much thought into her comfort. “Thanks.”

He sighed and she understood he wasn’t happy about her ongoing hunger strike, but he kept his word not to pressure her. “I’ll heat some water.”

“Christian.” He glanced back at her from the door, and she wondered why she called his name. She didn’t want him to be upset with her. Crossing the room, she stood before him and lifted to her toes, pressing a soft kiss to the underside of his jaw.

He blinked at her in confusion. “Sometimes, I think God sent you to challenge me.”

God didn’t send her here. “I’m here because you took me, Christian. That’s why this is a challenge.”

“Would you have willingly come if I’d asked?”

She considered how she convinced herself to submit to a spanking through her own volition. Would she have done the same if he’d simply reasoned with her about coming here and becoming his mate? Was there a limit to her agreeableness? If he had been honest, could he have convinced her to give up her human life and come live on an Amish farm?

She looked him in the eye and gave him the truth. “No.”

Although he didn’t move, she felt every muscle of his body tighten. Without another word, he turned away from her and left the room.

CHAPTER 18

She was a sorcerous. Somehow, his mate had used her mind and body to turn him completely around. It wasn’t a compulsion. He would have recognized any sense of forced obligation. This was different. This was a longing, coming from his heart.

She gave him something he needed—a sign of submission—and he was prepared to give her anything in return, which was how he came to trudge his way back to Cain Hartzler’s door holding a dish of strawberries.

He’d agreed to take Delilah to visit the Hartzler females so she could express her gratitude. How that evolved into dinner he still didn’t understand. The females used phrases like have to as if they had no choice in the matter.

“You and Christian have to come for dinner!”

“We have to get the guys together!”

“You have to taste Destiny’s cooking!”

He didn’t care about the other female’s kitchen skills, nor did he have an inkling to eat at her table for hours of forced socializing with the youngest Hartzler males.

“Can we go?” Delilah had quietly pulled him aside during their visit to ask his permission.

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