AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s true,” she allowed.
“But that doesn’t mean we have to live like we’re scared,” he told her. “Are you really going to let that ankle own your joy?”
His words echoed in her mind.
“If it gives out for real, your career will be over then,” he continued. “But if you sideline yourself out of fear, your career will be over now. Which of those do you want to be telling our grandchildren about?”
“Ourgrandchildren?” she echoed.
“I had to learn this lesson today too,” he told her gently. “For the second time. You aren’t the only one who was afraid, Alexis.”
He leaned forward, taking her hands in his.
“I had to remember to be brave, my love,” he told her, his voice breaking slightly with emotion. “Brave enough to trust my heart to you, even though you signed a contract promising to break it.”
She sucked in a breath.
“You thought you would be able to walk away,” he said. “And now that I know you better, I understand why you thought that. You give of yourself to the very last drop, Alexis. Youarekind,and youaregenerous. But I’m so glad you don’t want to walk away from me. Because I don’t want you to. I want you to stay. Please, stay.”
“Yes,” she breathed, falling into his arms. “Yes, yes, yes, of course I’ll stay.”
He pulled back slightly and gazed at her, his glittering green eyes hazy now with wonder, and with, something more…
25
TIAGO
Tiago’s heart thundered in his chest, and he felt heat ignite inside him, starting as spark, but growing quickly to a wildfire.
He knew that feeling could mean only one thing.
Alexis blinked up at him with her startlingly blue eyes. Her silhouette softened with a glimmering haze.
“My true mate,” he murmured. “Of course.”
“Tiago?” she whispered back.
“Can you feel it?” he asked her. He was already at war with himself, trying to keep his hands off her for as long as possible.
She nodded slowly, her eyes wide and almost unfocused, lips parted.
He blinked back his desire, desperate to be sure she understood.
“This is special,” he told her. “And it is rare. What we are feeling is the mating frenzy. And if we surrender, we will be paired forever.”
“Tiago,” she moaned lightly.
“Are you ready for forever?” he asked her. “Are you sure about me?”
“What if I can’t?” she asked sadly.
His heart threatened to shatter, but he was determined to give her more time if she needed it. Even as his body shivered and surged for her.
“If you can’t commit to me, then we’ll wait,” he whispered. “Even if it feels like torture.”
“No, not that,” she murmured softly. “What if I can’t give you a child after all? What if your seed doesn’t awaken my womb and you’re joined to a barren woman forever? What if they take your inheritance after all.”
“All I want is you,” he told her truthfully. “Let them take my estate. I don’t care about it anymore.”
