“Why did you do it?”
“Because he’s myfather.” She dropped her chin again. “And I’m supposed to help him. Look out for him. That’s what Grandma said.”
Oh for fuck’s sake.
With a little growl, I clamped my hand around Stevie’s chair and pulled her away from the table. I leaned down, scooped her up, and when she gasped and clutched at my chest, myKteergave a little rumble of smugness.
“Your parent is supposed to care foryou, sweetheart. Not bruise you because he likes to feel strong.” I glared fiercely. “He’s a poor excuse for a male, and he shouldnever have made you feel like you needed to do something you were uncomfortable withfor him.”
Like fucking a monster.
Her fingers curled around the cotton of my shirt as she stared wide-eyed up at me. “I came here for him,” she whispered, “but I stayed for myself.”
“Good girl.” I nodded with an arrogant smile. “This is aboutyou.Your pleasure. Your happiness.”
“It is?” She was breathless, and when her little metal tongue piercing swiped across her upper lip, I nearly groaned as I crushed her to me.
“You’re mine, Stevie. I’ve accepted the invitation to that game in two weeks, and you’re not going to New Orleans without me. We have two weeks to figure this shit out.”
Now I smelled her arousal again as she wriggled against me. “This shit?” she repeated.
“Your father. The cheating. You.” I hefted her higher. “Me. Together.”
“Together,” she breathed.
“You’re mine,dkaar. There is a knowing. That’s what my mother always said.”About finding my Mate. “I would justknow. I know you.”
Blue eyes stared back intensely. “And I know you.”
Together.
Mate.
“You’re mine,” I repeated. “My good girl.”
Stevie’s fingers were caressing my chest, and I watched her lips curl wickedly. “And maybe your dirty little slut?”
“Come here,” I growled, lifting her lips to mine.
Mine.
Chapter Ten
Stevie
I felt drainedafter that conversation with Garrak. And the double orgasms he gave me after, to be fair. I fell asleep spread across him, and when I woke around lunchtime, he hadn’t moved.
The guy had just…laid there with me underneath him?
“Did you nap too?” I asked blearily, pushing my limp hair out of my eyes.
“No.” He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “You just looked too peaceful to disturb.”
I mean, Ihadbeen, but…but what kind of male put someone else’s comfort so far ahead of his own? He didn’t allow anyone to worry abouthiscomfort. Garrak was like no one I’d ever met before, and I was a little disconcerted by this.
“What do you want for lunch?”
I groaned, feeling as if I’d just eaten breakfast, and he silenced me with a kiss.
