“You keep saying that,” a concerned look takes over her features.
“Saying what?”
“That you’ll protect me,” She rises up, resting the weight of her upper body on her arm that is now beneath her. “Is that just a figure of speech or should I be scared? Am I safe?”
Taking in a deep breath I know there is so much that she’ll need to know, so much I should share with her. Only doing so now, when everything is still so fragile, it could backfire and I might lose her. “I want you with me, I want you near, I feel completely unsettled when you aren’t close.”
I’m not sure if my choice of explanation will be enough to calm her. I watch, waiting for her to relax. I don’t look away, and I fight the urge to move in closer. The soft breaths she takes, the way her petite body moves beneath the blanket still covering a good portion of her only makes it more difficult not to touch her. I want nothing more than to pull back the blanket and crawl up on the oversized couch with her. To feel her pressed against me, the feeling of her skin touching mine. I am a ball of nerves, pent up energy and desire. I have wanted this woman for longer than I can remember and to have her here, this close, it is still so incredible.
“You’re so intense,” she takes in a deep breath, still remaining where she is, close, staring directly into my eyes. “It’s almost impossible to think clearly when I am near you.” This time I smile because Taryn is so cute when she was frustrated and confused. The way her brows furrow and her lips purse. “I don’t understand this, and I can’t pretend that I do.”
“I don’t want you to pretend, I want you to keep an open mind.” I need her to accept me. I need her to understand that I am me, but I am also what some would consider a beast. But no matter what I am, I will always be the man she needs me to be. “I need you to trust me, and this life that I want you to be a part of.”
I sat up all night watching her sleep. After our talk she laid back on the couch and worried her lip as she silently thought to herself. It drove me mad. I wanted to know what she was thinking, what her worries are so I can soothe them. But I didn’t push. After an hour she slowly began to close her eyes and I listened to her soft breaths mixed with the popping of the fire blazing only a few feet away, Sleep didn’t come for me, my mind raced with too many fears.
I heard the rustle of the leather couch as she climbed off of it, and the sound of her bare feet as she began to walk in my direction. Standing at the stove, I don’t turn to face her though I know she is there. I can practically feel the heat of her gaze. Each breath she takes, though it is soft and even, appears to echo through the expanding kitchen. I may have gone a little overboard when building this place, but I wanted to spare no expense. I didn't want it to be lacking in any sense.
I did it for her.
“Wow,” she says. I look back over my shoulder and see her scan over the space from one side of the room to another. “I don’t think I have ever seen a kitchen like this.” There is awe written all over her face and to me, that is worth everything. She is impressed, just as I want her to be.
“Do you like to cook?” I ask. I already knew the answer to that question. I know everything there is to know about Taryn.
“I dabble,” she replies softly as she moves in further and rounds the large island in the center, coming around to where I stand. The way her hand glides over the marble top slowly appreciatively gives me chills. I would give anything to feel her touch me. “I’m more of a baker.”
My girl may have a little sweets addiction, though her body shows absolutely no signs of such.
“I can cook dinner, and you can make dessert.” Smiling, I watch her tilt her head to look up at me.
“But it is morning.”
Leaning in closer her breath hitches when I get within an inch of her mouth. “It is,” grazing my lips over hers. The hunger I feel for her is harder to control than any other want I have ever felt. “But if I have it my way, you will still be here this evening.” Then I kiss her softly, and feel myself relax when she reciprocates. I don’t want to scare her or set us back in any way. I want to build her want for me, play on her needs and when she is ready, she will give herself to me. I won’t let my father's words taint my time with her. I know the clock is ticking, but I needed Taryn to want to be with me as much as I have always wanted her.
The rest, it will come.
Taryn
It’s been hours since Merick kissed me and my lips haven’t stopped tingling. We have yet to talk about anything or at least anything pertaining to his persistence and empowering words of desire. While we ate breakfast we were both silently watching each other. His lips constantly tipped up at the corners in a grin that warmed my belly.
After we ate, ignoring my
