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"Would you be less angry if I told you I'm an idiot?" I ask, pacing toward her.
"Would you mean it?" she sniffs.
"I am an idiot, Beauty." I exhale a ragged breath.
"I understand running, Draven," she says, her voice soft. "We all run. But you don't get to shut down and shut me out. You have to talk to me."
I quirk a brow. "Like you talk to me?"
She wraps her arms around herself as if to make herself smaller. I don't like that very much, so I pace toward her, pulling her into my arms to protect her from whatever it is that makes her feel that way. Whatever it is, I'll protect her.
"Talk to me, Beauty," I whisper. "What are you running from?"
"My father," she whispers. "He has this…view of the world that doesn't align with my view of the world. It's outdated and cruel. He's tried to force it on me for my entire life. I've always felt like a prisoner to his beliefs. Eventually, I got tired of it, and I just…left."
"I'm sorry." I rub her back, trying to soothe her. The sadness in her voice pricks at my heart. She loves her father, and he's wounded her heart. I don't like that one bit.
"I don't want to live my life in the shadow of his judgment. I'm happy here, Draven. You make me happy. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm free."
"I've never been happier, Beauty."
"Then why don't you want me to stay?"
"I'd never let you leave if it were up to me," I growl, clutching her close. "I'd keep you locked up here and never share you with anyone. But you deserve more than that. You deserve the world, Beauty."
"What if you are my world?"
"Dahlia," I groan.
"It's true, Draven. I meant what I said earlier," she whispers, running her hand down the side of my face. "I don't need dinner dates, shopping malls, or any of that. I feel freer right here with you than I've ever felt before. I'm happier than I've ever been before."
"I don't deserve you."
Her eyes flash holy fire. "I get to decide what I deserve, not you."
She's beautiful when she's angry. So damn beautiful. "Letting you see me at my worst is…not easy for me, Beauty."
"Is that why you shut me out?" she asks, her brows furrowed.
"I was terrified I was going to lose you out there," I admit, swallowing hard against the memory. "I heard the mountain lion growl, and I thought I wouldn't get to you in time. All I could think about was protecting you. So I killed it." I drop my gaze from hers. "I didn't think about facing you covered in the animal's blood until it was too late."
"Draven," she whispers.
"The thought of you being afraid of me kills me."
"I'm not afraid of you." The strength in her voice is humbling. "You saved my life, Draven. How could I ever be afraid of that?"
"Because I am a beast. I didn't just gain horns and a tail. My…instincts are different," I mutter. "I want to protect you. But I also want to…." I trail off and mutter a curse. "I want to stalk you through the woods like prey. I want to capture you and claim you. I want a lot of things I probably shouldn't."
"Oh," she whispers. But she doesn't shy away or pull back. Instead, she presses closer. "Draven?" She rises on her toes, her hands on my shoulders to steady herself as she brings her lips close to my ear. "You'll have to give me a head start. I'm afraid I won't run very fast if you're going to be chasing me."
I growl, yanking her toward me.
She squeals, toppling into my arms with a laugh. I silence it as my mouth slashes down on hers. This beautiful little minx. Does she have any idea how wildly my heart beats for her? If this was Ma's plan, my Ma is a genius. I'm in love with this woman. Madly, passionately, desperately in love.
"I love you," I whisper against her lips.
She gasps softly, her eyes fluttering open.
