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No. No. No.
She was trapped. He would kill her.
Flora’s eyes darted around the bar, and she willed Mateo to look her way, but he was still trapped in his own mess with the bartender.
She sent up a silent prayer Draven could see her and would protect her. It was now or never. The moment she’d find out if he meant what he said.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to touch this perfect little body.” Petey’s hand tangled in her hair while his other hand roamed down the curve of her torso, tightening on her hip to the point she’d have bruises. “You’ve grown up nicely, little Flora.”
She wanted to fight back. Wanted to be her own savior, but she couldn’t move.
“I—”
Petey shifted his hand from her hair to her throat, cutting off her airway. “Younothing, Flora.”
“Drop your hands now.”
She’d know that growl anywhere, but she prayed she was never on the receiving end of its deadly intent.
Petey’s lips twisted up into a snarl as he craned his neck up to meet a very pissed off Draven. “Back off, asshole. She’s mine.”
“Actually, she’s mine.” Draven reached across Pete’s arms and grabbed him by the collar.Flora could have sworn his eyes were no longer green, but solid obsidian. “And if you don’t remove your hands from what’s mine, you won’t have hands, or a heart. So I suggest you choose wisely.”
Petey dropped his hold on Flora and with a flick of his wrist, Draven threw her father’s lackey to the side and into a waiting Kade and Mateo.
Flora’s hands flew to her throat, and her knees buckled. The world tilted around her, but before she hit the ground, Draven gathered her into his arms. She sagged against him and his fresh pine scent engulfed her, calming her nerves. He lifted her against his chest, and Flora choked on a sob, burying her face in his neck.
Draven carried her off the dance floor and her traitorous heart swelled within her chest. She’d never felt more safe. Not even within the castle walls had anyone gone the extra mile for her. Not like Draven just had.
A different kind of panic rose within her and settled in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t do this with him. He was supposed to be a passing moment. Not with so much on the line. Emery and the wolves needed her to succeed. It didn’t matter that his stare heated every part of her body, or that his touch set her on fire. They would get the moonstone, she would be turned and that would be that. He’d go back to his pack and she’d go to Scotland.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Flora fought every instinct to stay in his arms and untangled herself from around his neck.
Draven tensed. “Please, Bubbles.”
She craned her neck to look up at him, confusion flashing across her face. “Bubbles?”
“That’s what you said you liked about the champagne.” A smile tipped Draven’s lips, and he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “It suits your personality.”
There were a lot of things she didn’t understand in the world, but the look Draven gave her when he pulled away was one she knew. It was the same look August gave Emery before they fell apart. It was the kind of look that made hearts skip a beat, and hers was not immune.
Flora shook her head, as if it would change the wants she’d never speak out loud. “I should get down. I can climb the stairs.”
His grip tightened, and he pulled her tight against his chest. “I know you can. This is for me. Please let me make sure you’re safe.”
Safe.
It was as if he was reading her mind. Being in his arms was everything she ever wanted. But that didn’t make it right. They were from different worlds and wanted different things. It didn’t matter that he pushed when she pulled, or that even though she pretended to hate his tactics, she’d lived more in her short time with him than she had in her twenty years at the castle.
It couldn’t matter.
But it did.
So against her better judgment, Flora relented and sank back into the arms of the man who kept her safe. She allowed him to rub circles into her back as he climbed the stairs of the B&B, and didn’t object when he stepped into her room and deposited her on the bed. She didn’t protest when he drew her a bath complete with lavender bubbles, or when he double-checked the locks on every window and door.
“You’re all set. Take care of yourself tonight. Relax. Unwind. And if you need anything I’m just on the other side of that door.” He pointed to the adjoining room. His way of making sure she’d be safe while they stayed in Lune.
Flora chewed her lip, stopping the words she wanted to spout. The words that would keep him there and force her to explore the feelings she’d somehow managed to develop for him.
He’d stay if she asked; and if she pressed him to fulfill the promises he’d made her, he’d do so with a smile on his face. And damn, did she want him to. But she was pretty sure that she couldn’t live an eternity with herself if she went down that road with him and then walked away.
Flora nodded her head and gave him a demure smile. One that wouldn’t give away the dirty thoughts playing through her mind. “Thank you, Draven. You didn’t have to.”
“I know.” He returned her smile, and Flora was surprised to see that it reached his eyes.
