AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you like books?”
“I’m not sure how that’s even a question,” she murmurs.
My lips twitch. “Go lie down and I’ll read to you.”
A bolt of desire shoots through the bond and I ignore the ache in my balls. She slowly walks to the bed and I grab my book before plopping down beside her. Daisy rolls onto her side and tucks the pillow under her chin. Her green eyes are bright with excitement and I try not to stare at her or pay any attention to the way my cock stirs in my pants. I’m already pushing it.
I should have taken her to a healer the moment she was hurt, but the selfish part of me wanted to keep her here with me for a little while so we could exist in a bubble outside the weight of the world’s expectations.
“This is a story about madness and love.”
She releases a soft laugh. “Does he keep her against her will?”
I side-eye her. “Have you read the book?” I show her the cover.
“Something like that,” she says, hiding a smile in her pillow.
I take that as permission to begin. “The beast had never known a gentle touch. Cruel hands. Hateful words. Those he knew all too well. Perhaps that’s why when he first met Lana, he mistook her kindness for a twisted game.”
Daisy’s breath brushes over my skin, and I glance at her, happy to find a little grin on her face, then continue reading. I tell myself it’s an excuse to keep her from walking around and has nothing to do with the flutter of happiness in my chest.
* * *
Something clattersto the floor and jerks me awake. Colorful curses follow. I’ve never met aladythat used the word fuck as much as Daisy. Not that I mind. Yawning, I sit and take in the mess she’s made in my kitchen. She’s hobbling about and muttering to herself. Above a low fire in the recessed part of the wall, the small pot is steaming from whatever she’s cooking and all the ingredients from my cold room are out on the table. Eggs. Vegetables. Fruits. She shoves a strand of that vibrant red hair out of her face and glares at the pot.
“What are you doing?” She rested for all of two days while I read to her off and on. It probably wasn’t enough time for her ankle to fully heal, and I’ve discovered, with much frustration, that the woman doesn’t listen to reason.
She releases a tiny sound of surprise but recovers quickly. “Good morning,” she says. “I’m making you breakfast.” Her forehead furrows.
“Why do you look so mad?”
“I’m not mad,” she snaps, then takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m annoyed with your pot. It’s not non-stick.”
I make a face. I’m not stupid but some of the words she uses make no sense to me. If she were from this world, I’d think she might be speaking in another language. She’s been using the common tongue, my primary language, since she arrived, and it’s becoming increasingly clear to me she has no clue about this world. No one with knowledge of how things work would venture down a mountain in monster territory at night.
“I don’t know that word,” I confess.
“Non-stick. Teflon. Heck, I’d take a well-seasoned cast iron over this thing.” She frowns. “Do you have any butter? I couldn’t find it in the cold room.”
That I understand. “I’m out.”
She sighs and scrapes the spatula along the bottom of the pan. “Well, then I’ll make it work. Might have to soak your pot after, but most of the food will be fine.”
“You shouldn’t be standing.”
“I’m not going to break.” She wrinkles her nose and pours the egg mixture. “Besides. I’m feeling much better.”
Thanks to me forcing her to relax. I don’t blame her for being stir crazy, but I do wonder if this means the end of our story time. Something about the way she curls up close drives me wild. It’s a sadistic kind of self-torture. I haven’t allowed myself to touch her again. I’ve been trying to keep those bond driven urges under control, but it’s near impossible with the way my shirt clings to her tits and hangs above her knees, coating her in my scent and hiding the most delicious parts of her body from me.
Needless to say, my balls ache and the way Daisy smiles at me isn’t helping the situation. She looks at me like I’m… friendly. And sometimes, when she thinks I’m not looking, hunger fills her gaze. I like that more than I care to admit.
I stand and stretch, running a hand down my abs and yawning again.
“Jesus,” Daisy murmurs.
I glance at her but she’s focusing a little too hard on the pot. Her cheeks are bright pink. Lust, hot and lethal, zaps from her to me. Naughty, little flower. My cock stiffens and I saunter in her direction. Her breath quickens and she makes a point to ignore my approach, turning away from the pan and grabbing two plates from the counter. I quickly close the distance between us and place my hands on either side of her. She stiffens, but doesn’t turn around.
I cage her in and lower my head until my lips brush over her ear. “What are you thinking about?”
