“I know,” she said, burrowing against him and accepting the comfort he was offering her.“But it was soeasy,” she said, still hiding her lovely face from him as if she was ashamed of herself.“I didn’t even hesitate to murder him, or the other humans who’ve been trying to break in here.Ilikeusing my power.”
Arkas held her tighter, ignoring the way his body responded to the stunning female who was curled up in his arms.Now wasn’t the time to let his libido rise.It went against every rule he’d followed in the past, but he silently vowed to keep his cambion safe from all harm.
Chapter Nineteen
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OAKLIE WAS MORTIFIEDby her uncontrollable sobs, but she couldn’t stop them.The hardened warrior who’d threatened to kill her a short while ago now held her to his chest.He was treating her like she was someone who was precious rather than a threat who could kill him.His hand ran up and down her back soothingly.The knight pulled her closer and rested his chin on her bun.“It will be alright, female,” he said.His voice was a deep rumble in her ear that was pressed against his chest.“No harm will come to you while you’re in my presence.”
For the first time since the Rapture had taken her family three months ago, Oaklie felt safe.Then reality came crashing back down.“You can’t guarantee that,” she said when her sobs petered out.“You saw what humans have turned into.They don’t have to pretend now that all of the good people are gone.They’ve let their inner monsters out and most of them will probably try to kill us.”
He heaved a sigh and didn’t argue with her.“I’ll keep you as safe as I can,” he said, altering his vow.
“Why?”Oaklie asked, drawing back far enough to see his face.
His hand slid up her back to cup the base of her neck.“Because you’re mine,” he said simply.“I don’t know why I feel that way, but that’s what my instincts are telling me.”
Oaklie saw the sincerity in his pale eyes, but she couldn’t allow herself to believe it.Letting herself trust and rely on anyone in this new world would be dangerous and potentially deadly.“I must look like a mess,” she said in embarrassment, searching her pockets for a tissue.
“You’re beautiful,” he refuted, then surprised her by reaching up to tug the hair tie out of her bun.Her hair cascaded around her in a black mass of tangled locks.“Stunning,” he murmured, wrapping some strands around his finger.
He was the one who was stunning.Oaklie had never seen a man as gorgeous as Arkas was before.Best of all, he seemed oblivious to his appeal.He wasn’t arrogant like most hot guys tended to be.Thunder rumbled again, snapping her out of her daze.“The storm should move on soon,” she mumbled and extricated herself from his lap.He reluctantly let her go.“I’m going to grab some waterproof clothes,” she said and hastily headed upstairs.
“I’ll be waiting, female,” the warrior said.She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see him stand up.Her eyes widened at the huge tent in his pants.Fleeing to her bedroom, the cambion slapped her hands over her mouth to muffle hysterical giggles.Clearly, the knight was just as well-endowed as the sculpture she’d crafted.
Finally getting herself under control, Oaklie washed her face, put her hair back in a bun and changed into another winter jacket.Just as she’d guessed, the rain began to abate as she took the stairs back down to the first floor.Arkas had returned to his seat on the couch.One leg was crossed, hiding her view of his groin.He gave her a pleasant smile, but she saw his tension.
“Are you ready to leave?”she asked.
“We should wait a few more minutes,” he suggested.“It sounds like the rain will pass soon.”
It was hard to keep her expression neutral, but she managed it.Oaklie had only dated two guys and they’d both been mediocre in bed.She had a feeling a night in bed with Arkas would be far more memorable.
“The rain has stopped,” she said when the weather suddenly cleared up.“We should go now before another wave of clouds roll in.”
Arkas motioned for her to take the lead.She made sure she didn’t watch him get up this time.The door opened for her at her command, then fused shut again once they were both outside.A few raindrops were still falling, but not enough to soak them.Oaklie led the way to the gate and they exited from the property.The logs became joined once more and would keep any potential intruders out.
