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He cut me a dark look and I quickly changed course.
"Notthat," I hurried to amend, choosing to attack the baby conversation when I had gained some higher ground. "Us. You and me. I wanted to tell you that I really app –"
"Do not say it," he cut me off, tone quiet. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he kept his gaze on the window. "It is not necessary."
"Thank you," I blurted out anyway, unable to live with this gaping hole in my chest a second longer. "For saving my life –"
"I said stop." With a shake of his head, he moved to turn away from me, but I reached out and grabbed his arm. He stiffened under my touch but he didn’t pull away. "Stop," he repeated, voice pained. "Stop."
"Thank you." Tugging his hand from his pocket, I entwined our fingers and stepped closer. Heart thumping violently, I cradled his large, tattooed hand to my chest, and stared into his wickedly dark eyes. "Thank you."
"Corderito," he sighed, Adam's apple bobbing his throat, as his eyes searched mine. "I do not want to hear you say those words to me again."
I stepped closer and he shook his head. "I'm grateful, Trig."
"You owe me nothing for bringing you home." His eyes flared with heat as he tried to put some distance between us – an impossible thing to do when I refused to let go of his hand. "It is your god given right to be here," he continued, failing to pull his hand free from both of mine. "So just live out your life and enjoy your peace."
"With you?"
He frowned, not understanding.
"Live out my life with you?" I pushed, pulse fluttering.
"I need you to stay with me," he explained, brows furrowed. "It is the only way I can keep you safe from him. You will not come to any harm here. You have my word." He sighed heavily. "And I do not expect you to fight with the army. I should not have asked you for that. It is not a role you play anymore. It is not good for your health. I understand that now." Jaw clenched, his eyes roamed over my body, lingering on my stomach before quickly looking away. "I am sorry for my absence." His voice was low and gruff. "I needed some time." He swallowed deeply. "To process."
Iknewit.
Taking care of business, my ass.
He was avoiding me.
I nodded slowly, not taking my eyes off him. "It's okay."
"No," he corrected quietly. "It is really not."
"It was a lot to take in," I offered breathily. "A lot has happened in a very short period of time."
"Sí," he agreed grimly. "But I want you to know something."
"Okay?"
"I need you to know that even though you are under my protection, and we have thisunion, I do not expect you to service me."
I cocked a brow. "Serviceyou?"
"Wrong word?"
"I sure as hell hope so."
"Fuck." He shook his head and released a frustrated growl. "What I am trying to say is that you arenota whore in this house. Not under my roof. Do you understand me? That is not your role."
"I think so." Nodding, I released a shaky breath. "But I'm still yours, right?"
"No,corderito." He stared hard at me. "You are not my whore."
"But you said –"
"I have said many things," he snapped, sounding flustered. "I have made many mistakes with you. But you are no whore, and despite my behavior, I have never thought of you as one."
