AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Okay, so I knew which part of that he was frowning at. I was just hoping I wouldn’t have to explain it to him. I cringe beneath the weight of his stare and give in. “There’s something different about me that draws people in.”
Oliver smiles wryly. “Could it be that you’re beautiful, smart, friendly, compassionate, loyal, and brave?”
I resist the urge to deny all of his compliments. I know he means them, even if I don’t feel deserving of his praise. “That’s not it. I mean, I put men under some kind of spell, until their fascination with me becomes obsession. Like with Henry. It’s happened all my life.”
I shake my head and interrupt Oliver when he starts to argue. “Think about it. Henry, Parker, Wulf, and Rook. Nick.Terrance.”
Oliver frowns again, this time seeing my point and having a hard time denying it.
“I think it has something to do with what I am.”
“What you are?”
I shrug. “Everyone’s always talking about me having underworlder blood. I have gifts that humans don’t have. Maybe I’m some weird human/underworlder hybrid. But whatever it is, I can’t get into a relationship when I know the guy only likes me because of my curse.”
Oliver’s face falls flat. “I don’t think that’s the only reason Parker likes you.”
“Parker doesn’t know me. He can’t like me. Parkerwantsme. There’s a difference. And with my history, there’s no way I’m getting involved with someone who’s only interested in sex. I can’t. If I’m ever able to go there with someone, and that’s a pretty big if, it’s going to have to be someone I trust implicitly and who I know isn’t going to lose control of themselves—which is what people tend to do when I return their attraction. My weird allure kicks into overdrive. It’s like when Cecile or Ren turns up their sex mojo. People can’t help themselves. Theyaren’tthemselves.”
Oliver sits there for a minute, processing what I’ve just told him. Eventually, he nods. “Perhaps there’s something there. Maybe you do have some kind of unknown power of attraction. But I’m sure that’s not always the case. Itispossible for someone to like you, not because of some supernatural power, but because ofyou. There’s so much about you for people to like.”
A lump forms in my throat. He’s talking about himself, and we both know it. I don’t know what to say. I adore him, but he’s just as influenced as anyone. “Oliver…”
He gives me a crooked smile and shakes his head, denying the thoughts he knows I’m thinking. “I know you, Nora. I’ve known you for years. And I was never around you, so it couldn’t have been some curse affecting me. You’re just special. You’re so strong. You’re beautiful and smart. You’re a survivor.”
He takes a risk and pushes my hair behind my ear, letting his fingers graze my cheek. The rare skin-to-skin contact raises goose bumps on my arms and makes me shiver. The thought I catch when he touches me is tender.I wish I could make her see. She deserves so much more than she allows herself.
My eyes start to sting, and I press my hand against the burning in my chest.“Ollie,”I murmur.
He gives me a soft smile and takes my hand in his.I love you. The thought is so direct I wonder if he’s just thinking it or if he’s sending it to me on purpose. My stomach flips, and a half-crazed sob bubbles up from my chest. For once I don’t pull away. I don’t want to let go. His feelings aren’t lust-filled. They’re tender and comforting. They feel sincere.
“The things I think about you—feel for you—it’s because of who you are,” he insists softly. “And I think, deep down, you believe that, or you’d never be able to trust me the way you do.”
Tears spill from my eyes. I quickly swipe them away and take a deep breath to get control of myself. I’m so not a crier, but I’ve never felt such pure feelings or heard such beautiful, sincere thoughts. “I do believe you,” I promise, sniffling. “I just can’t…I don’t know how to…I’m too broken.”
The loving smile never leaves his face. “I know, Nora.” In a rather bold move, he pulls me into his lap and cradles me against his chest, resting his chin on the top of my head. I close my eyes and soak up the affection being offered to me. I’ve never been held before. Not since my mother used to comfort me when I was little.
He wraps his arms around me tightly and leans us back against the headboard. I can still hear his thoughts, but they’re absentminded. He’s simply enjoying this moment, the same as I am. His sorcerer community was cruel to him for years because he wouldn’t use his magic. His family disowned him, kicked him out as soon as he turned eighteen, and turned their backs on him. He’s as alone as me and loves our unique relationship as much as I do. He doesn’t need more than this right now. He’s healing from his own experiences as much as I am.
I let out a deep breath and relax against him. “I love you, too, Ollie.”
He drops a small kiss on the top of my head in response and reaches for the remote. “What do you think?Stranger Things,The Walking Dead, orGame of Thrones?”
I grin and snuggle deeper into his hold. “You choose.”
I get a nice glarefrom Rook when I show up to the compound clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon. He wasn’t expecting me, so I start my warm-up without him, knowing that the gossiping wolves will tell him I’m here. I get one slow lap in before the angry werewolf plants himself in front of me. “What are you doing here?”
I knew he wouldn’t be happy, but I don’t care. “I came for training,” I say stubbornly. “You said three times a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. It’s Wednesday. I’m ready for my first session.”
He’s not amused. “No,” he growls. “No way. You were nearlydrainedSunday night. Wulf told me. You’re supposed to rest for a whole week. We are not training today.”
“But Enzo healed me, and I feel fine. I’ve done nothing but lie around for almost three days now. Can’t we just do a little?”
Rook crosses his arms over his chest and keeps up his glare. “No.”
I go for a pout. It’s low, but I can’t help it. “Aw, come on, Rook. I had to get out of the house. I was going crazy. And besides, my attackers aren’t going to wait for me to recover, so neither should I.”
He growls at me—a real snarl—then scrubs a hand over his face, muttering unintelligible things to himself. He sucks in a sharp breath, then lets it out in a huff, eyeing me as if measuring my determination. “You use that move I showed you when you were attacked?” he asks.
