He could only admire her from afar, never getting too close. That's what you had to do with a delicate flower like Charlotte Sullivan. Especially when you are as dangerous and destructive as Rune Holten.
But after one night, when she proves she can't be left on her own, Rune gets too close, he takes it too far, and now he wants more.
***
RUNE
I guess I couldn't be disappointed about that. "But I'm not some random guy... I saved your life."
Her eyes grew, staring at me with disgust. "So... you expect some reward or something?!"
"No! Of course not!" God, f****** damn it... At this moment, I could see just how young she really was. I wasn't used to this... dramatic teenage behavior.
"Because that's messed up. I appreciate your help. I really do! But..." my little immature rose continued, testing my patience.
"Charlotte, just shut up." I placed my hands on the sides of her face and closed my eyes, surprised when I didn't hear a response. "You're right. I'm more mature than you..."
"That is not what I--"
"Which means I don't play games." I cut her off, dropping my hands from her face. "If I want something, I do what I can to get it. While I find your timidity adorable, I don't feel the same way about your distrust in me... or in your 'playing hard to get.'"
Her eyes filled with anger and confusion, unsure of how to react.
"You might not know what you want, but right now, I can confidently say that what I want, is you."
He watched as her eyes skimmed over his dark eyes and black hair with barely a reaction. He felt his pride twinge a bit so he went further. Lifting his hands, he let the blood drip from them. Her eyes widened slightly and her chin rose. She looked at his hands then back at him. His dark eyes gleamed in a challenge.
"You've not harmed me or mine, faery." She spoke out loud. "Blood does not scare me and neither do you. Keep your dog on its leash." Then she turned and calmly walked back inside. Intrigued now, he went to the window of the house and watched as she reassured her mother that the dog was gone
"I'll see you tonight, reckless child." He promised softly.
****
Marcus felt himself beginning to wake and struggled to stay in the dream. But it was no use. His eyes opened and he released the pillow his hand was gripping. It was the same one that she had laid her head on every night. His head went into the pillow heavily for a moment, breathing in her faint scent. He hated and treasured dreams like that with equal fervor. He rolled over on his back and stared at the ceiling.
It had been decades since she'd been forced to break that promise. He lifted his hand and touched the ring that had been her last gift. It had been decades, but it was yesterday.
***I did not skimp on the steamy scenes so consider yourselves warned ok? There are also a few violent scenes that I'll try to remember to put a warning before so you'll have a heads up. Any of the pictures/artwork were found online so I reserve no rights to those just the story. But I do reserve all rights to the story. This story runs concurrently with "Bloody Desire" and "All Roads Lead to Rome"
Awesome new book cover is courtesy of @ScarlettOlivier. She's awesome. Check her stuff out.