Page 59

Scarlett

With another kiss, Ezra seemed to seal his promise for eternity.

His words sank through her skin into her muscles, penetrating her bones and soothing all the way into her soul.

She’d always been scared that she wouldn’t be able to meet his needs, but finding the courage to cut him and give him the release he craved, felt good in a strange yet empowering way.

It only proved how strong she could be for the ones she loved.

Isis trusted her to take care of Ezra in every sense, and she’d just taken the first step in doing so.

Scarlett crawled into his lap, tilting her head to deeped the kiss. His fingers pushed under her shorts and grabbed her bare ass, tugging her even closer. Scarlett felt his erection beneath her but when she tried to rock against it, his hands stilled her and he shook his head.

“I don’t want this to be about sex,” he panted, breaking the kiss. He was out of breath, his words nothing more than a sweet whisper against her lips. “I just want you.”

Then Ezra stood with her in his arms, capturing her lips once more.

Careful not to break the kiss, he carried her to bed and lowered her to the mattress, pinning her down with his weight.

Scarlett speared her fingers through his hair, and added more pressure than she had before.

He groaned as her nails scraped over his skin, and she loved how pleased he seemed with her.

The pride over finally being able to meet his needs swelled in her chest until her heart felt fit to burst. She could do this, she wouldn’t just accept who he was, but she would be there to support him through it.

“Breathe,” he chuckled lightly, kissing along her jaw to her neck. As if his words kickstarted her lungs, Scarlett took a deep breath. “Good, just like that, princess. What would your other mates do to me if I told them I suffocated you with a kiss?”

She laughed and let her head fall into the pillow. “Yeah, that might not be such a brilliant idea.” She took another breath that she felt all the way down to her stomach. “Will you stay in bed through the night now?”

“We need to clean up and I should put a bandage on. I might have already bloodied the bedding.”

They hunted for an extra sheet but unable to find one, they settled for a towel. Once Ezra had cleaned and dried her, he gave her another kiss and bandaged himself up with the first aid kit from the kitchen. The moment she was back in his arms, she dozed off her mind on cloud nine.

The next morning, they headed to the village for breakfast. Scarlett had let him pick her dress and as she walked by his side, she couldn’t help the goofy grin on her face.

He’d dressed up too—in his own fashion—all black from his V-neck shirt down to his leather boots.

His neck, wrists, and fingers were covered in gold jewellery that matched the accents in her baby blue dress.

“You seem happy,” he commented, lifting their entwined hands to kiss her knuckles.

“I am.”

“You don’t hide me either.”

“I’m not sure why I would.”

Ezra brushed the back of her hand with another kiss, his eyes searching her face for any sign of ill truth. “No woman has ever enjoyed showing me off.”

“Well, I do. So, you better get used to it.”

Ezra hummed and slowed his pace to cup her cheek with his other hand, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose. “It will be my pleasure.”

Once they’d filled their plates at the buffet and sat down, Scarlett crossed her legs under the table, her foot accidentally kicking his leg.

“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to pull away, but Ezra shot a hand down to capture her leg in place.

Once Scarlett took the hint and stilled, his fingers tickled over her foot, his lips in a lazy smile as he used his free hand to eat. She relaxed and soaked up his secret caresses. It had her heart fluttering, and a permanent blush setting in on her cheeks.

Ezra needed no prompt to take her empty glass and return with more orange juice.

Nor did she have to ask him to join her at the buffet when she sought out dessert.

And though she had his full attention, she knew he was also scanning their surroundings, placing himself between anyone who dared make her feel uncomfortable.

“What is on your mind, princess?” he asked, his hand stroking up and down her leg under the table the moment they sat down.

“How lucky I am to be yours.”

A dark chuckle burst past Ezras mouth and he leaned closer, resting his chin on his knuckles. “And why is that?”

“You make me feel safe.”

His brow crooked and she wondered what he would look like if it were pierced, just like his ears. “You might be safe from the world, little princess, but never from me.”

“You won’t hurt me. You just push my boundaries.”

Ezra threw his head back and laughed. “And your last nerve.”

“Often times, yes.” Scarlett leaned in herself, picking up the star pendant he’d made out of vampire bone. “Have you been tracing me?”

“Of course.”

“What if I wanted to trace you too?”

“What if I had secrets?”

Scarlett rolled the pendant between her fingers, giving Ezra a cheeky grin. “You would tell me if I asked nicely.” Then she shrugged with a shy laugh. “Or I could tie you up and make you.”

“Now you’re talking.”

“You are sweeter than you let on, did you know that?” she teased lovingly.

“Don’t give false hope, someone might hear you.”

She tugged at the necklace, and he followed without hesitation.

Her lips brushed against his, a hum vibrating from deep in his chest. “If I told you to be nice, you would, because you are mine , Ezra, you would fall to your knees for me without a single word.” Scarlett shocked herself.

She didn’t know where those words had come from, but the fierce, dominating tone of her voice felt exciting so she didn’t question it.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Then she burst out giggling, returning to the version of herself she knew. “You do make me see a whole new side to myself.”

“It’s your alpha. It has been suppressed for years. Now, you have the freedom to explore it.”

“I’ve never thought about it that way.” Ezra’s words had jogged a memory from their time apart. “My brother came to check on me.”

Ezra grunted, rather displeased. “Terrified that we killed you, huh?”

“I thought I’d never see him again,” she admitted, ignoring his jab.

“But you would like to see him more often, despite what they have done to you.”

Though it wasn’t a question, Scarlett nodded.

“They raised you to be weak. They only had their own interests in mind.”

Scarlett turned her gaze away, leaning back to give herself some space. “They meant well.”

“That’s what they want you to believe.”

“They never hurt me.”

“Look at me, princess,” Ezra demanded, though it was rather soft.

She sighed, but picked her head up again.

“My parents only meant well too, but they were still wrong . Even animals don’t do well in enclosures, some even die.

Our parents had these ideas, these ideologies that made them think they were good parents, yet here we are.

I’m a self loathing psychopath, while you can barely step foot outside the house alone. ”

“So, you think I shouldn’t want to see them again?”

He shook his head, his fingers still caressing her leg under the table. “My path isn’t yours. The one you choose is up to you.”

“But you disapprove.”

He laughed again, increasing the pressure on her skin. “Don’t let my disapproval stop you, but I won’t tolerate any disrespect towards you.”

“So, you would meet them?”

“You said it yourself: I’m yours and all you have to do is ask me nicely.” Ezra then smiled so widely that the corners of his eyes crinkled. “Or tie me up and make me.”

Scarlett would take that answer happily. She leaned in again and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

After breakfast, they strolled through the village for a while before they headed back to the cabin. Even though Ezra didn’t say it, he was visibly exhausted.

“With Vince, I cooked for two or three days at a time, but if you prefer a different meal each evening, I can change that up.”

“You could set a lump of charcoal in front of me and I’ll still eat it.”

“Charcoal it is,” she laughed.

“Scarlett, I mean it. Don’t cook just to please me.”

“Will you sit and have meals with me? But only if you enjoy it, not because I’ve asked you to.”

“I will sit with you for meals because I want to.”

“Okay, because I know you hate sitting down with Vince and Mateo.”

Ezra chuckled. “Let’s hope they don’t think I’ll start enjoying their company simply because I enjoy yours.”

“You can’t fool me, you know? No matter how much you deny it, they’re your friends and you love them.”

Though Ezra tried to keep his cold and unhinged mask, Scarlett saw past the rough facade. She’d hit the nail on the head.

They spent the day together at the cabin, planning and gathering supplies for an easy hike the next day.

While Scarlett made the bed with the freshly-washed sheets, Ezra washed up the dishes from dinner.

She took advantage of the time alone to change into one of his shirts, the garment long enough to hide her lace underwear.

Once she heard the water draining from the sink, she parked herself at the foot end of the bed and waited.

It wasn’t long before Ezra appeared in the doorway, stopping in his tracks. “Oh, sweet little princess,” he rumbled, his eyes greedily running over her bare legs before meeting hers. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“Come here.” She held her hand out. “Please.”

There it was again, that predatory look on his face as he stalked his prey. Ezra took her hand and followed her at will as she tugged him down to kneel in front of her.

“I have questions,” she admitted.

“I have answers.”

Her heart raced as she tried to remember all the things she’d wanted to ask him. As she looked into the deep, black voids of his eyes, she only wanted to forget everything around her.

“Take your time, princess,” he husked, running his thumb over the back of her hand.