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He frowned a beat, but then he scooped her into his arms. She scolded, "Put me down, I can walk."
"No. You're tired and I have the route home memorized. It's faster this way."
Her protests died on her lips as she leaned against him, putting her head on his shoulder. Just being against his warm body lulled her and she yawned. "Fine. But later, you are going to talk until you're hoarse, if need be, to fill me in."
He kissed her forehead. "Anything you wish, love."
She tried not to read too much into the endearment, although she couldn't stop the little thrill from rushing through her body.
Soon Stone had them outside, walking through side streets, and Reika tried her best to stay awake.
But his warmth, and the rocking of his body as he walked, as well as the fact she knew he'd keep her safe, no matter what, finally soothed her enough to fall asleep in his arms.
ChapterTen
Stone had never thought he'd be the kind of male to simply lay in bed and be content with holding a sleeping female in his arms.
And yet, Reika's soft snores and the heat of her breath across his chest soothed him in a way nothing else ever had.
His entire body was aware of her softness pressed against him. But holding her, feeling her there, knowing she was alive, kept his lust in check. There would be plenty of time for that once she was awake and recovered. She'd merely have to crook a finger and he'd gladly strip her clothes, spread her thighs, and bring her to orgasm with his mouth before claiming her with fangs and cock.
And no matter what it took, he was going to make her his bride in truth and marry her.
He'd realized that the night before, when he hadn't known if she was alive or dead. And then when he'd brought her home and paced while Nora and River had cleaned her up and healed her, the thought of never seeing Reika again had turned him cold. Only when he'd kicked out the married couple and held his bride in his arms again had a sense of rightness settled over him, calming him, making him think fate was right in that he'd been born for this female and this female alone.
Reika stirred, nuzzling her cheek against his bare chest, bringing him out of his head and sending blood to his cock. Mentally telling the beast to calm the fuck down, he merely stroked Reika's back in slow circles, wishing he could feel her skin instead of the material of her nightgown. When she finally raised her head, he quickly covered his neck with his hand to hide his scar—he'd deal with that revelation later—and her beautiful brown eyes met his. Her hair was rumpled, her cheek pink on one side, and she was still so fucking beautiful. He barely resisted kissing her. "You're awake."
She smiled, and it made it even harder to resist claiming her straight away. "Yep, but I gotta admit, I have the best pillow in the world and am tempted to go back to sleep."
As she laid her head down and rubbed against him, he was too distracted by her touch to notice her hand moving to his side. As her fingers danced across his skin, he yelped.
Raising her head, she laughed. "Youareticklish. Now I know how to get you at my mercy."
He caught her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed her palm. "You have many ways to have me at your mercy, Reika."
For a beat, her eyes blazed with heat. The sight made his bollocks tighten and his cock even harder.
Fuck, he wanted to claim her.
But then he remembered she'd been a prisoner only the day before. He wasn't going to be that bastard, the one who took advantage when she was vulnerable. "How do you feel today? I already had River check you over, and he said you were fine, at least physically."
Just as she shrugged, her eyes finally zeroed in on his neck. She met his gaze again. "What happened to you, Stone?"
He ran his fingers over the raised flesh. "I barely notice it anymore."
"Stone," she growled.
At her fierce tone, he fought a smile. "I had to wear a collar for ten years. Most of the time it was metal, and it chafed."
She slowly lifted a hand and then traced the scar that encircled his neck. Even though he could barely feel it, her touch sent a spark rushing through his body. "I'm not usually a violent person, but now I'm sad those asses are already dead and I can't kill them for what they did to you."
He never wanted her to have to live with taking a life, but the thought his sweet, kind female would try, and for him, did something to his heart.
Stone took her hand and kissed her fingers. Only once she met his gaze again did he speak. "Then you understand what I feel now about the four bastards we captured, the ones who took you. And how it's taking every bit of loyalty I have to Leo for me not to just kill them all. Slowly."
Reika snuggled closer against him. "I should be horrified at the thought of torture. And yet, I can't be. I sort of want them to suffer." She bit her lip and then searched his eyes. "Maybe I'm not as good of a person as I thought I was."
He cupped her cheek. "You are light, and sunshine, and everything good in the world, Reika Hashimoto. Maybe in your time period things are different for paranormals. But here, we mostly take care of our own criminals, and Leo will mete out their punishment as they're each part vampire. I hope he makes an example out of them."
