She was already shaking her head. “A relationship built on lies can’t survive.”
Garik swallowed. Isn’t that what he’d been telling himself when he’d avoided her for the last week? Except resisting the connection they’d forged had been torture for him and he’d wanted nothing more than to have her in his arms again, taste her sweet lips.
Emotions tangled up in his gut when he choked out, “What about one born of strength, courage—the traits you’ve exhibited from the moment you entered my cell?”
This time she at least didn’t pull away when he touched her. Garik cupped her jaw and tipped her face up to see her eyes and to make sure she understood what he was saying. “I’m sorry. Finding out Maurin was...is your father shouldn’t have surprised me. The few things you did share about growing up in that household should have been enough. I let my temper get away with me.”
And fear. He’d never felt about anyone the way he felt about Saedra. Knowing he was willing to ignore her heritage to be with her was a revelation. He had intentionally been putting distance between them though the bond constantly hammered at him keeping his awareness of her sharp and center.
The hardest part of these last few days was ignoring that intimate connection. He thought getting her the translator, a place to stay and seeing to her injuries would ease his need to care for her while he struggled with this new feeling. It hadn’t. All it had done was served as a reminder that he wasn’t alone anymore, didn’t have to be alone.
“You made me believe in you and this bond.” She pursed her lips. “Then you abandoned me.”
It was a shot to the chest. She was speaking from her heart and not disguising the pain he’d caused. “I am sorry, sesi. You are absolutely right.” He thought about it then added, “I have no excuse. But please know you’ve been on my mind. I care about you and want to explore what we could have. If you’re still interested.”
Even if she wasn’t, there would never be another for Garik. The bond was for life.
Saedra gripped the front of his shirt and leaned up on her toes. “Don’t play with me. Are you really able to move beyond who my father is and what he did to you?”
“Yes.” It was simple when he didn’t allow doubt, fear and his own issues clog up his thinking.
The smile stretching her lips was worth it. He tightened his hold, bringing them chest to chest and bent his head to kiss her with everything he was feeling in this moment. She smoothed her hands up his chest and moaned into his mouth. His hands drifted eager to touch and reaffirm having her in his arms again.
He cupped the back of her head, holding her steady as he nibbled her bottom lip, tongued away the sting and went back for more by deepening the kiss. His other hand lowered to her bottom and squeezed the round cheek. Saedra gasped into his mouth and this time he was the one groaning as he walked them backward until his back hit the wall. Saedra hiked her thigh on his hip, tiny sounds of pleasure teasing his senses as she tried to climb him. Garik slouched to align their groins far willing to accommodate her.
When they broke apart panting, he asked, “We’re clear? You and me. No one else. I don’t care who your father is as long as we get to be together.”
Her gaze brightened. With cheeks flushed, she nodded eagerly. “I felt something for you the moment I crouched beside you in that cell.”
There was one thing he needed to clear up. “I was there because the Guild targeted Maurin. There’s a strong possibility I’ll be tasked to go back and finish the job.”
And he would accept it gladly. Maurin was a form of evil that needed to be ended.
Saedra brushed her fingers down his cheek, her eyes glowed with acceptance. “I understand. I don’t have any attachment to him. He killed my mother and abused me my whole life. He was never a father to me.”
Garik shifted his grip and lifted her in his arms, her squeal bringing a half-smile to his face. The layout of the rental was the same as his so he knew exactly where to go to reach her bedroom. He shouldered open the door and stared at the bed with its neatly folded covers. A deep inhale brought Saedra’s familiar scent to him.
“You and I are going to build a life together,” he murmured as he glanced down at her glowing face. The scar was gone and he’d seen to it that she received a translator to understand those around them. He was always going to take care of her.
“And kids? Maybe?” she hesitantly asked.
Garik mulled the idea around. He hadn’t really thought about children. He also hadn’t thought he’d have a bond mate either. He grinned at what Saedra’s was bringing to his life. Things he never thought he’d want, yet now he saw the possibilities. “Whatever you want. My heart is all yours.”
“Mine, too,” she smiled.
He kissed her long and hard then curled about her and proceeded to show her how much she meant to him.
Author’s note
What a fun story this was to write. Hard-edged alpha types who fall for heroines they least expect to love are always exciting to explore. I also enjoy a good forced proximity or marriage of convenience trope. If you’re interested in more about former assassin, Nevo Xyman, he makes appearances in Lindsey’s Rescue and Love Like No Other. He will have his own story in the 3rd book for my Love In The Stars trilogy featuring the Demon Queen.
Until the next book,
Michelle H.
Books by Michelle
Warlords
* Honor Bound (Warlord Series 1)
* The Overlord’s Heir (Warlord Series 2)
* A King’s Revenge (Warlord Series 3)
* Rise of the Shadow Warriors (Warlord Series 4)
* A Warlord’s Heart (Warlord Series 5)
* Unexpected Bride (Warlord Series 6)
* Unleashing a Warrior (Books 1-3 Warlord Series)
Into The Stars
* The Unexpected Bonding Vow
* TBD
Alpha Squad
* Project Genesis (Alpha Squad)
Harmony
* No Reason to Run (A Harmony Novel)
Sci-Fi Romance
* Mating Urge (Love in the Stars 1)
* Love Like No Other (Love in the Stars 2)
* Wired For Love (Wired #1)
A World Beyond
* Torkel’s Chosen (A World Beyond 1)
* Arak’s Love (A World Beyond 2)
* Lindsey’s Rescue (A World Beyond 3)
* Kyele’s Passion (A World Beyond 4)
* Rydak’s Fall (A World Beyond 5)
* Jaron’s Promise (A World Beyond 6)
* V’hor’s Nestmate (A World Beyond 7)
* Stolen Moments (A World Beyond 8)
* Bane’s Heart (A World Beyond 9)
Paranormal
* Djinn Lover (Magical Lovers book 1)
* Wicked Lover (Magical Lovers book 2)
A Novel of the Dracol
* Rylin’s Fire (A Novel of the Dracol 1)
* Relentless Fire (A Novel of the Dracol 2)
* Frost Fire (A Novel of the Dracol 3)
* Secret Fire (A Novel of the Dracol 4)
Coming Soon
* Nikol’s Surrender (A World Beyond 10)
About the Author