Who somehow made me feelsaferthan I’d felt anywhere.
Part of me wanted to believe she wouldn’t judge me. That I could truly tell this woman everything and she wouldn’t even blink. But I knew life was not a fairytale, and no one in their right mind would want me if they knew what I was truly capable of.
So I took a deep breath and focused on providing Violet what I knew she needed, instead of what I wished she could give me.
Salvation.
“No matter why I am here, the truth remains that one day we will all cease to be here. But for now, the only thing that truly matters is thatyoulisten to me, and sit. Down.” I turned off the stove before turning to see Violet only inches from me, gazing up at me like I was a star, shimmering in the night sky. She crossed her arms.
“And if I don’t?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Do you really want to test me, Violet?” I said, my monster pushing against my skin. I could see the intrigue in her eyes.
She took a step closer. “You do not scare me,Bane.I see you.”
Her words hit me like a brick, striking my soul like a lightning bolt.
I see you.
For the first time in my life, I truly felt like someone did.
And that was a frightening revelation all on its own, never mind the way my monster, my magic, and my cock begged to be set free.
To be seen by the eyes of ourmate.
I held her steady gaze as I set my hands on her hips, and took a deep breath. I picked her up like a ragdoll, throwing her over my shoulder.
She yelped from surprise, wriggling against my shoulder.
I walked us over to the table once more, settling my hand on her ass, if only to hold down the fabric of her skirt. I was perilously aware of the proximity of her sweet-smelling arousal and how easy it would be to just slide my fingers beneath her moist panties and—
Focus, Bane!
I set her down gingerly on her feet, in front of the stool, catching her rosy cheeks and bright eyes.
“Sit. Down,” I growled, my voice dark and inviting even to my own ears.
“Dinner is ready.”
CHAPTER17
Violet
Talk about a crisis.
I wasn’t sure which way to follow with Bane.
One minute he was heroic and sweet, and the next he was brooding and dramatic, trying to tell me he was cursed and unworthy of my friendship or attention.
Then the next, he flung me over his shoulder like I wasnothing.
I’d been surprised, sure, mostly because I had always found those moments in movies and shows where the man whisks the woman off her feet in such a manner was hot, and romantic.
Like when Brendan Fraser throws Rachel Weisz over his shoulders and carries her to the bedroom in The Mummy.
But I never in my wildest dreams expected any man to want to pick me up, let alone handle me like I was nothing more than a sack of potatoes.
Talk about steamy...
