Donvick's face purpled, veins standing out on his forehead as he clawed at his throat.Krevan’s boot was firmly in the way."I—didn't—realize—" Each word was a desperate wheeze."Your wife—I swear—never again—" Blood vessels burst in his eyes as he thrashed beneath Krevan's boot.“I’ll apologize to your wife.”Donvick pled.“Please Vallex, forgive me.”
The store fell so silent that Ancelin could hear her own thundering heartbeat.Heat scorched her cheeks at being called Krevan's wife, the lie she'd blurted in panic now trapping her.
"Stand," Krevan commanded, yanking Donvick up by his collar until the man's toes barely scraped the floor."Your apology means nothing.You’ll never speak to my wife again.You’re less than dirt beneath her feet.Do.You.Understand.Me?"Each word punctuated with a shake that made Donvick's head snap back and forth.When Krevan finally released him, Donvick collapsed to his knees, gasping.
Krevan's eyes, now dark silver, like gun metal, locked onto Ancelin."Give the salesgirl what you have, and we’ll leave.Do you need anything else, wife?"The last word carried a dangerous edge.
Ancelin shook her head, trembling.A clerk approached, her own hands shaking as she collected the stones.
"We have others—crystal ones—" the girl stammered, eyes downcast.
"I need to leave," Ancelin whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Show my wife the crystal ones," Krevan commanded, and the store clerk flinched before leading Ancelin away, the crowd parting before them like water before a blade.
"Aren't they nice?"the girl asked eagerly."What do you do with them?"
"I craft jewelry," Ancelin replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement."They're absolutely stunning.So vibrant and translucent.These stones will transform into exquisite pieces."
"How much are they?And I need to know the price of the stones I've already selected, too."
"Give her the whole damn box," Krevan commanded with a steely edge.
"Krevan, I don’t..."
"Ancelin."Krevan's voice was firm, and she fell silent.The crowd watched, riveted by the intensity of the previous encounter with Donvick.
The clerks swiftly tallied their purchases and loaded everything into the vehicle with a sense of urgency.
The truck's engine growled beneath them as Ancelin stared at her trembling hands in her lap.Each mile marker they passed intensified the suffocating silence between them.
"I'm sorry, Krevan," she finally whispered, her voice cracking on his name.A hot tear slid down her cheek.
Krevan's knuckles whitened around the steering wheel, his jaw clenched so tight she could see the muscle twitching.She couldn't bear it.
"I feel like I've ruined everything," she blurted, chest heaving."When he cornered me, I panicked and—" She choked on the words.
"Ancelin."His voice softened unexpectedly."I wasn't protecting my property back there.I was protecting you."He exhaled slowly."Just stay close next time.Please."
"You're not angry that I called myself your wife?"she asked, heart hammering against her ribs.“Not at all.I was upset that you walked off when I warned you not to.Verrian is dangerous—I know what I’m talking about.I really don’t want you learning the hard way.”Krevan turned to her.“All you had to do was ask me to walk with you.I’m relieved you’re okay.”He winked.“Now, what will you cook when we get home?A nice lunch sounds perfect.”
“I’ll do chicken with vegetables and rice.I could bake a cake or a pie—your choice—and I want to make bread for toast and rolls.”Ancelin breathed more easily; focusing on cooking soothed her hidden worries.
“I’ll take both cake and pie,” Krevan said.“I’ll be hungrier after I fix the windows.I’ll help carry in your boxes and bags so you can unpack.You’re staying with me,” he declared, glancing at her.She nervously bit her lip.He reached for her left hand, pressed it to his lips, and kissed it.“You belong to me.You’re safe.”He held her hand as they approached the garage door.Ancelin noted the posses
siveness but found comfort, not discomfort.
Inhumanly swift, Krevan sprang forward.One moment she stood in the garage, the next they were inside the laundry and mud room, the door clicking shut behind them.He spun her gently, his fingers slipping beneath her shirt.“I’ll get things inside,” he murmured against her skin.“You whip up a snack and some coffee, love—then I can unload both trucks.Hurry, or I’ll snack on you first.”With a soft brush of his lips against her cheek, he ushered her through the doorway and delivered a playful swat to her behind.“Get cooking, wife,” he teased, flashing that broad, warm grin she adored.
Ancelin turned, a slow, sultry smile curving her lips as she swayed her hips.
"Keep that up," he replied, his voice dropping to a rasp that sent shivers down her spine, "and we'll be in the bath right now—where I can taste every inch of you.Remember your promise?"His eyes darkened as he stepped toward her, the air between them crackling with electricity.Before she could catch her breath, he'd lifted her onto the polished stone countertop, his fingers digging into her thighs with urgent need.His trousers fell away as he pressed against her, the heat of him burning through the thin fabric that separated them.
"Don't you have work to do?"she whispered, her head falling back as she surrendered to his touch.
His eyes gleamed as he helped her peel away her trousers, tossing them aside.Then he entered her in a single, breath-stopping motion.She gasped, wrapping her legs around his waist while he cradled her bottom, guiding her up and down his length.Her arms locked around his neck as his thrusts deepened, each one a delicious promise.“You feel incredible,” he groaned, nipping at her neck as he drove into her tight warmth.She melted against him, her moans soft and urgent.
He lifted her effortlessly from the counter, pressing her onto him in a flawless, fiery rhythm.She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shoulders as waves of pleasure rolled through her.Then, with a guttural growl, his entire frame stiffened.Then his body trembled as a powerful shudder coursed through them both.Ancelin’s clenched around him in response, an electric tightening that sent sparks through her spine.He groaned, his release hot and steady, flooding her depths.She rode the tremors of his climax, her own cry lost in the rush of sensation.
