“Because a smart lamb doesn’t tell a wolf that it could die happy if someone would just devour it.”
“Well, anything else would be dishonest. I did think I could die happy while a certain wolf was devouring me.”
He smiled, just as she’d wanted him to.
“In all seriousness, keep your thoughts to yourself and keep a safe distance.”
“I don’t understand.”
He rubbed his eyes.
“Are you displeased with how things are going?” she asked.
“No. But you’re clever enough to know you’re teasing me with what you don’t really want me to take. We had an agreement that I wouldn’t take your virginity. Being alone in these circumstances creates a heavy temptation, especially when your pretty mouth speaks wistfully about sex we’re not going to have. I have significant self-control, but it’s not infinite. Besides, I’ve already taken things farther than I should. You need a man with reasonable expectations. I’m not him.”
“But—”
“Brandese,” he said, shaking his head. “Leave it alone.”
She nodded. “As you wish,” she whispered and left the room.
Chapter Six
Evston spent a longsleepless night at war with himself. He wanted to tie her down and fuck her a dozen times. He wanted to transform her into a pet who could never be returned to her former life because he wanted her for himself. There was also a part of him that argued that it would be good for her to learn to submit and obey, so she’d yield to someone else’s judgment when hers went awry.
But he knew she would fight the confines of pet play and submission. She was fiercely independent, high-strung, and excessively confident. She had a hard time listening to reason, let alone being commanded to do things, especially when her emotions were running high. But she was also clever, well-read, quick-witted, and curious. In five to ten years, who knew what Brandese might do or become? She reminded him of a great and passionate woman he’d once known. His own mentor. He frowned. That woman had been recklessly vocal at times too. It had cost her dearly. He wanted someone to protect Brandese from the same fate, but he knew it probably couldn’t be him. His dominance would be too severe a clipping of her wings. Evston needed to return Brande to her life before it was too late.
Do you not believe I deserve a moment, she’d asked.
Yes, he’d thought.You deserve a million of them to think and fly free, beautiful firebird.
* * *
When there was enoughmorning light, Evston carried her to the transport and set off.
“What are you doing?” she’d demanded, an edge of anger and frustration to her voice. “I’m not ready to go back.”
