Page 110 of Craving Carla

“Raincheck?” Her voice cracks on the word. “You’ve said that to her. You’re using the same lines on me that you use with other women.”

I take a step back, stung by the accusation. “That is not true.”

“I can’t do this.” She wraps her arms around herself. “I’m already falling deep, and it’s going to destroy me—utterly destroy me if you break my heart.” She swallows hard. “You can stay at the patrol cabin, and I’m going back to mine?—”

Before she can finish, I’m in front of her, gripping the back of her neck firmly. “No, Carla. No, you are not separating from me.”

Her eyes go wide, words dying on her lips.

“I met Allison my first night on Wintermoon,” I explain, not loosening my grip. “I had intended on fucking her because it was bothering me how much you were on my mind.” I don’t flinch from the truth. “She sucked my dick.”

Carla starts slapping at me, trying to get free, but I tighten my grip, refusing to release her.

“I couldn’t get aroused,” I continue. “My body had already surrendered to you, Carla. There was no going back. I fed on Allison, made sure she was properly taken care of, then spent the rest of the night watching you sleep from the forest, bonding with our children.”

I pull her closer, my grip on her neck tightening to the point where I know it’s painful. She winces but doesn’t resist. I grin at that. She seems to like it when I’m dominant with her. Interesting.

“There will be no separating,” I tell her. “If you want to go back to your cabin, then I will follow you.”

Carla swallows quietly. I release my grip on her neck, and her hand comes around to rub it. She tugs at her dress, pulling it down, then kicks off her heels, bending to pick them up. She brushes some curls from her face and snarls at me.

“Fine. But you’re sleeping on the fucking couch tonight.”

I laugh, watching the sway of her ass as she stalks off. I adjust my suit, relief washing through me. Fine, I’ll take the couch for a night.

Carla reaches the docks, and I catch up, helping her into the boat. I climb in after her, grinning as she sits at the edge, looking away from me. She can be upset—she has every right to be. But separating? I’m never going to allow that.

I untie the boat from the dock and start the engine. Before I can pull away, I notice Moria and Kemnebi climbing aboard. Moria immediately runs to Carla, climbing into her arms and resting close. Carla thinks Moria is just hugging her, but Iunderstand now. Moria is protecting her heart. Most likely from me.

Kemnebi, of course, sends me images calling me a whore again. I roll my eyes at him.

“You’re really enjoying my torture, aren’t you, Kemnebi?” I mutter.

He hisses in response.

I pull the boat from the dock and head back to Wintermoon. Kemnebi climbs up on the dashboard, staying close to me.

“Why did you do that?” I ask him. “I’m so pissed at you.”

He sends images spelling out “sorry.”

I groan and pet him, chuckling despite myself. I love my little friend too much to stay angry, no matter how badly he pisses me off.

“I messed up, little friend,” I tell him. “Who knew I would find her like this? I feel like I should have waited—all of this could have been avoided.”

Kemnebi whimpers.

“I’m not angry at you for being honest,” I assure him, steering the boat through the dark water. “I love Carla. I love her hard. I’m staying on Wintermoon—I’m not going anywhere without her. She might hate me, but she’s stuck with me.”

Kemnebi sends images of Carla kissing me, holding me, loving me. Then he spells out the word “love.”

“I think I was close,” I sigh, “but now I’m back to the drawing board. All because I had no self-control with my dick.”

We reach the docks. I turn off the engine and secure the boat, groaning when I see Carla practically climbing out on her own before I can help her. She walks down the dock, pulling down the dress that’s riding up her ass with each step.

I leap out of the boat, Kemnebi crawling out behind me. I’ll drop to my knees and grovel, hold her all night—whatever ittakes. I catch up and grab her arm. Moria climbs down as I pull Carla close.

“Stop,” I tell her.