Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“P-punishment?” How could he think of punishment after telling her that he wanted her to be his?
Because he wanted her but didn’t want her too much.
Do not be hurt by this.
But she couldn’t help but feel hurt.
“Yes, punishment. For not telling me your plans to rescue the puppies. And for daring to say that I want to be with you because I wouldn’t love you the way my papa loved my maman.”
“That’s not why you want to be with me?” she asked to clarify.
“You just keep adding to that spanking,” he growled.
“S-spanking?” she squealed. “No one mentioned a spanking!”
“That’s what you’ve earned.”
“For asking questions?”
“For thinking that what I feel for you could be anything less than fucking soul destroying.”
She knew what he was saying was a good thing . . . but it also felt like a bad thing. This was so confusing.
“I don’t want you . . . I don’t want you to be unhappy.”
He frowned. He looked unhappy right now.
“How can I be unhappy if I am with you? I love you, Bébé. That’s what I am saying. You’re all I think about, all I dream about. You’re all I want. I think you’re the most beautiful, special, amazing person. I could have lost you last night and that cannot happen. I can’t imagine a life where I don’t see your smile, hear your laugh, feel your touch. I thought if I could walk away, maybe I could still protect myself. But that thought . . . it made me feel ill. And I knew then I’d never be happy without you.”
“Something could still happen to me, though. What then?” she whispered.
“Nothing will happen to you,” he said in a dark voice. “I will not allow it.”
She swallowed heavily. She knew he meant that. But he couldn’t be everywhere at every moment. And he couldn’t know what the future would bring.
“I didn’t understand why Ink and his friends were so possessive and protective of their women. It seemed crazy to let themselves feel so much for another person. But now I get it. Because they let themselves love, they realize that it’s up to them to keep their women safe. But at the same time, all they want is for their women to be happy. It’s a delicate balance. Your happiness and your safety.”
“The two can’t co-exist?” she asked.
“Of course they can, as long as you listen to me, obey me.”
She snorted. “That would make your life easier.”
“It would. I will protect you, Maya. And I would rather have a week of happiness with you than a lifetime without you.”
Had he really just said that? Her brain couldn’t quite compute that someone would say something that beautiful . . . to her.
“Are you . . . did you really just say that?” she asked.
“I don’t like that you find it so hard to believe that I would say that to you,” he told her. “But I am determined to say beautiful things to you for the rest of your life. Because that is what you deserve. You deserve everything wonderful in this life, Maya. Happiness, peace, your every desire.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “You . . . you really think that?”
“I know that.” He kissed the tears from her cheeks. “I know that and I’m going to give you that. Whatever you need, Bébé. I’m here for you.”
“But what about you? Your lifestyle? You didn’t want to settle down in one place and I can’t move around.”
No matter how much she loved him, she would never be able to give up her babies. Would he ask her to?
She should have known better.
“I had that lifestyle to stop myself from making connections, from finding a home and being happy. Now, I am only happy if you are happy. Which means having a home for all of us. And I’m not just talking about you and me.”
A sob broke free. She knew this was a happy moment, not a tearful one. But she couldn’t stop the tears that flowed as she wrapped herself around him. She was pressed so tight against him that there wasn’t an inch of space between them.
“You have yet to tell me how you feel about me,” he informed her.
Oh God!
What was she thinking? Pulling back, she grasped hold of his face. “If you don’t know how I feel about you, then you obviously haven’t been looking closely enough. You’re the sexiest, most gorgeous man I have ever met.”
“I know you want me. I’ve always known that,” he said arrogantly.
Drat.
“I’ve just made your ego bigger, haven’t I?” she grumbled.
“Hmm, well, you do make certain parts of me big.”
She groaned. “I thought the French were meant to be suave and sophisticated?”
“I am both of those things.”
“Not while making that terrible joke, you aren’t,” she informed him.
“But it wasn’t a joke. You make me hard every time I’m around you. I want you so damn much. But I need the words, Bébé. Tell me that you love me. Tell me that you cannot live without me and that you want to be mine.”