Read Online All's Fair in Love and Lion by Bethany Averie - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Bethany Averie
Ads: Link
someone who I could belong to and love. Now you’re in my life.” Hope, fear, and a glimmer of trust swirl in her eyes. “I haven’t found anyone I’ve wanted more than you.” She pauses and I wait anxiously, wondering what she’ll say next. “If I marry you, what then?” she whispers.
Lily’s image flits through my mind, and an urgent need to protect Sasha overcomes me. If she was my mate, I could shield her better than I can now. Except, I’m not ready to talk about Lily with Sasha, yet. Instead, I say, “Then I’ll do my best to make all your dreams come true.”
“You’re serious,” Sasha says.
“Absolutely. I want you to be truly happy.”
“I wouldn’t mind happiness.”
Holding my breath, I nod.
“I’ll marry you,” she says, then holds up a hand as I start to draw her to me. “I want us to get to know each other before we wed.”
“Of course.”
“That was easier than I thought it would be.” She half-smiles.
“I’m not a completely unreasonable man, Sasha.”
“Perhaps, but you don’t waste time.”
“Not when I’m sure of what I want, and ever since I saw you, I knew you were for me.”
“You’re an expert at turning on the charm, aren’t you?”
“Forget charm, it’s sincerity. I wish you’d stop doubting me.”
“I agreed to marry you. I’d say it’s a start.”
“Perhaps.” I tap my fingers against my leg. “Would you wear a ring declaring you’re mine?”
“I’d have to see the ring, first. I don’t like to call a lot of attention to myself.”
I get to my feet. “I suppose it’s all the answer I should expect.”
“What else can I say, Monroe?” She gets up and puts her hands on her hips, her gaze challenging me. “Things are happening fast. Even if you can make all my dreams come true, it’s still surreal for me. Can’t you respect that?”
“I do. Yet, what of my feelings, Sasha? I desire you, and no one else. Why don’t you appreciate my own loneliness? Or, do you think you’re the only person who ever had unfulfilled dreams?” I turn from her and brace my hands against her fireplace mantel. Discouraged, I struggle with my thoughts. “I apologize. I hadn’t meant—” Mentally I gather myself together and begin again. “I’m grateful you said yes and I will honor your wishes.”
She tentatively touches my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to pick another fight.”
I clear my throat. “It’s my fault. I let my passion get the best of me.” Facing her, I tangle my index finger in a strand of her hair. “It’s so hard to keep myself in check around you. I’ve never met another woman like you. Your goodness radiates from you. You have an untapped strength I’m eager to explore. What you are to become, Sasha, I long to experience.”
“You think me wanting time means you won’t?”
“I’m not sure. Your yes means more to me than you realize.”
“Then trust me. I didn’t say yes because I have no doubts, I said yes, because I want to see if what you’re offering is real.”
“It is.”
“Let me find out for myself.”
She stands on tiptoe and tugs my head to her. Leaning down, I wonder what she’s doing. Without a word, she stretches up and kisses my cheek.
She gives my shoulder a squeeze and backs up. “Better?”
I shake my head. Snaking my arm around her waist, I draw her to me and kiss her full on the lips. “Now I am,” I growl.
Later, as I lay alone in my bed, I replay the events. There’s still frustration there. I wish she didn’t have any doubts. Yet, I realize she’s more than I deserve. And, she’s agreed to be my wife. I marvel at the knowledge. It’s incredible.
And, despite her uncertainty, the way she took charge of the situation hints at what she is inside—what she could be. The thought appeals not only to my human side, but to my lion side.
In all my years searching for a mate, the women I encountered seemed so vain compared to Sasha. Even in my impatience, I recognize the merit of
Lily’s image flits through my mind, and an urgent need to protect Sasha overcomes me. If she was my mate, I could shield her better than I can now. Except, I’m not ready to talk about Lily with Sasha, yet. Instead, I say, “Then I’ll do my best to make all your dreams come true.”
“You’re serious,” Sasha says.
“Absolutely. I want you to be truly happy.”
“I wouldn’t mind happiness.”
Holding my breath, I nod.
“I’ll marry you,” she says, then holds up a hand as I start to draw her to me. “I want us to get to know each other before we wed.”
“Of course.”
“That was easier than I thought it would be.” She half-smiles.
“I’m not a completely unreasonable man, Sasha.”
“Perhaps, but you don’t waste time.”
“Not when I’m sure of what I want, and ever since I saw you, I knew you were for me.”
“You’re an expert at turning on the charm, aren’t you?”
“Forget charm, it’s sincerity. I wish you’d stop doubting me.”
“I agreed to marry you. I’d say it’s a start.”
“Perhaps.” I tap my fingers against my leg. “Would you wear a ring declaring you’re mine?”
“I’d have to see the ring, first. I don’t like to call a lot of attention to myself.”
I get to my feet. “I suppose it’s all the answer I should expect.”
“What else can I say, Monroe?” She gets up and puts her hands on her hips, her gaze challenging me. “Things are happening fast. Even if you can make all my dreams come true, it’s still surreal for me. Can’t you respect that?”
“I do. Yet, what of my feelings, Sasha? I desire you, and no one else. Why don’t you appreciate my own loneliness? Or, do you think you’re the only person who ever had unfulfilled dreams?” I turn from her and brace my hands against her fireplace mantel. Discouraged, I struggle with my thoughts. “I apologize. I hadn’t meant—” Mentally I gather myself together and begin again. “I’m grateful you said yes and I will honor your wishes.”
She tentatively touches my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to pick another fight.”
I clear my throat. “It’s my fault. I let my passion get the best of me.” Facing her, I tangle my index finger in a strand of her hair. “It’s so hard to keep myself in check around you. I’ve never met another woman like you. Your goodness radiates from you. You have an untapped strength I’m eager to explore. What you are to become, Sasha, I long to experience.”
“You think me wanting time means you won’t?”
“I’m not sure. Your yes means more to me than you realize.”
“Then trust me. I didn’t say yes because I have no doubts, I said yes, because I want to see if what you’re offering is real.”
“It is.”
“Let me find out for myself.”
She stands on tiptoe and tugs my head to her. Leaning down, I wonder what she’s doing. Without a word, she stretches up and kisses my cheek.
She gives my shoulder a squeeze and backs up. “Better?”
I shake my head. Snaking my arm around her waist, I draw her to me and kiss her full on the lips. “Now I am,” I growl.
Later, as I lay alone in my bed, I replay the events. There’s still frustration there. I wish she didn’t have any doubts. Yet, I realize she’s more than I deserve. And, she’s agreed to be my wife. I marvel at the knowledge. It’s incredible.
And, despite her uncertainty, the way she took charge of the situation hints at what she is inside—what she could be. The thought appeals not only to my human side, but to my lion side.
In all my years searching for a mate, the women I encountered seemed so vain compared to Sasha. Even in my impatience, I recognize the merit of
Similar Books
