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I search his eyes for something that makes this seem okay. But I find nothing. A hard lump grows in my throat. I turn to look at what he’s bought me. These expensive clothes make me feel cheap. I wish I could just be happy and enjoy this, but now I’m second guessing everything. If only he’d give me a straight answer. None of this feels right and that nagging feeling that all I’m doing is setting myself up to be hurt returns full force.
“Kara?” My name on his lips sounds more like a plea and I face him, feeling raw and torn. His eyes darken with a deep primitive need as he takes one more step closer to me. My Dom. The shifter I’m afraid to love. The dragon I know is going to burn me.
“Yes?” I dare to whisper.
“I want you to wear these. I want you to look beautiful for me. Will you wear them to make me happy?” he asks carefully, staring deep into my gaze. That power he has over me floods my very being. I feel myself giving in; after all, I haven’t much of a choice. Not when I can so easily compare what he’s capable of to what a mere human like myself can do.
“I’ll wear them for you, Sir,” I answer.
“Good girl.” He reaches across me to pick up something off the bed. “Especially this.” He lifts my hair off my shoulders, and his heated touch sends a shiver of want through me. With my eyes closed, I allow him to do whatever he’d like. I hear a click and look down, but I can’t see anything. I can feel a weight on my neck, but I’m not sure what it is. It’s obviously a necklace…or collar as he called it. As he rounds to stand in front of me, my eyes open and I find him staring at the collar with a wicked twinkle in his eyes. My fingers itch to touch it, so I do. It’s a heart, a little larger than the size of my thumb and on a surprisingly thin chain. “It’s perfect.”
“What does it say?” I ask as I feel the engraving but I’m unable to read it since it sits at the dip in my collar.
“That you’re mine.” The way his hard, sensual voice says those words makes me clench my thighs yet again. If nothing else, what happens between us will leave me ruined for all other men. He already has me. He’s already won. Any fight would be a losing battle.
Not waiting for a response from me, Drago examines a large silver tray that was brought in earlier.
The colorful array of fresh fruits is paired with cured meats and cheeses. There’s enough food on the large tray for a small village. On cue, my empty stomach growls and I’m surprised how hungry I am given I just ate last night.
I near the tray as Drago busies himself with arranging some of the food onto a small dish. There are dozens of eggs all still in their shell on a plate under a glass dome. Two silver cups and bone spoons sit next to the eggs. I assume that means the eggs have been boiled. Next to that is a heaping pile of meat slices. My eyes travel behind the meat and eggs to a melon that’s been cut in half and each half filled with berries.
“Seven-minute eggs. I think you’ll enjoy them.” He quickly clears the clothes from the end of the bed and puts them in a pile on top of the dresser. “I’ll have them put them away for you.”
I shake my head and furrow my brows. “No.” His dark eyes reach mine slowly. My breath hitches. Is this the first time I’ve told him no? I breathe in deep and stand my ground. I enjoy being his pet. I love how he commands me. But I don’t want someone doing these things for me. Sneaking in and out of the room to provide for me in ways I’m capable. I square my shoulders and prepare to defend myself, but before I get a word out, he speaks.
“All right,” he states easily enough, bringing the tray to the bed and not seeming to notice the battle warring inside of me at all. He adds without sparing me a glance, “Let me know if there’s anything you don’t want.” Then he motions for me to sit at the top of the bed by the pillows. It’s only then that I realize someone has already made the bed. It makes me feel uneasy. “I’ll have Sage come as well and show you the shops around the village.”
A pit settles in my stomach. “I’m not sure I’d like that.”
Drago glances at me with what I think is confusion and then begins setting up a plate for me. He can do these things for me. I like that. But others that I don’t even know—it just feels wrong.
“Kara,” he starts with a firm voice. “There are things you’re going to have to get used to. What would make the transition easiest for you?” There’s no compromise in his voice and he looks back at me expectantly.
A beat passes and then another of me standing at the end of the bed and him waiting for me to obey. To give in. To do as he says and be his perfect little pet. “I’m not sure anything would make having strangers wait on me any easier. I don’t feel?—”
“Would you like it if you knew them better so they weren’t strangers?” he questions, interrupting me. His patience is infuriating.
My tone is a little harder. “I’d like it if I could just do these things myself.”
His tone remains even as he answers, “I will consider it. As far as going into town, you’ll be doing that. I need for you to get used to your surroundings. I’ve been told the best way for a woman to do that is to shop with other women.” His words hit me in a weak spot of insecurity. I wonder how many women have done this. My cheeks flame. How many are still in this castle? Drago interrupts my thoughts with a question. “What’s got you so upset?”
Everything in me is telling me to hide my insecurity, to leave this issue alone, yet my mouth opens and the words fall out. With my hands trembling, I dare to question, “How many women have you made your pet?” Anxious heat flows through my body as he motions for me to sit once again.
“Come and we can talk about these things over food.”
“I’m not sure I’m hungry,” I tell him and in that moment my body betrays me. My stomach growls and I’m instantly embarrassed. “Sit,” he commands me, and I decide to obey, forcing myself to sit at the head of the bed with him.
He passes the plate to me and tells me to eat. I obey, opting for a tart raspberry as I stare at him and wait for his response. It’s delicious. Of course it is. Everything is divine here and none of this is truly meant for me.
Drago inhales deeply as he cuts up the meat on his plate. Finally he offers a response, “I’m much older than you treasure, and I doubt you’d like the answer.”
That’s an acceptable answer, I suppose. But I continue my questioning, “How many that still live here?”
His brow arches as he pauses his cutting to question me, “Is that what you’re worried about?”
“Yes,” I answer without taking a single breath. “I want to know.”
His voice softens and he leans down to kiss my cheek. “None. It’s been a very long time since I’ve wanted a woman.”
