Creed

Chapter Fourteen

Creed adjusted a little so he wasn’t squeezing Angel so tightly. It took him time to recover. “Did I hurt you?”

“Let’s do that again.”

He couldn’t resist laughing. She made him feel so many emotions. It was getting easier to stop stifling them with her in his arms. She was life and light. Pleasure and…pain. It stabbed at his chest at the mere thought of losing her.

He would never allow that to happen. She was his mate.

He brushed her hair back and lifted his head, looking at her face. She was pure splendor, all contained within one small body with fragile bones. Her blue eyes stared back at him and he saw the teasing light in them. “I liked your plan much better than mine.”

“And here I was worried I would have to chain you down and seduce you just to get sex if you weren’t in the ravage thing. I’m so glad I was wrong.”

She humbled him. She wanted him despite not knowing much about of his kind. Not once had she shown a sliver of regret that he’d mated her. He hadn’t even asked her permission. “You are remarkable.”

“So are you.”

“I need you to make me a promise, one you will always keep. Your honor.” He worried about her.

“Anything.”

He tried to find the right words. It was difficult. “Tell me if I sadden you or begin to crush your spirit. I’ll do anything to avoid that.”

She sobered. “I will, but that’s never going to happen.”

He wasn’t so sure. He would try to be more open with her and show her how much she meant to him. He silently made that pledge.

She wrapped her arms more firmly around him. “I’m nothing like your mother.”

It shouldn’t have surprised him that she’d guess where his thoughts lay. Angel seemed to know him too well.

“You’re nothing like your father, either.” She stroked his hair. “I met him, remember?”

He closed his eyes and nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. “I hope I’m not.”

“Creed, listen to me.” She kept ru

He barked out a laugh. He could imagine her doing something that outlandish. His Angel wasn’t timid.

“See? You’re laughing. Your dick is currently hardening inside me just thinking about it. Oh yeah. We’re naked in bed together, still co

She had a point. “He chained her every time. He never allowed her to touch him when they bred.”

“I’m not surprised. You aren’t him, Creed. You always say you’re more Gargoyle than Lycan, but I think he told you that because it’s what he wanted to see. You do have a heart. You also have passion and kindness. Those are things he’ll never be accused of possessing. You take after your mother.”

He hoped that was true.

“You held it all in because it was expected of you. Well, I’m telling you to let it all out. You can. It’s safe here with me.”

He wished it were that simple. “It’s weakness.”

“No. It’s strength. There’s nothing more frightening than laying your emotions bare to someone else. You risk being hurt. I’m never going to cause you heartache. I love you.”

He held her tighter. “I’ve hurt you before.”

She was quiet for long seconds. “I can’t say you haven’t. You broke my heart when you stopped talking to me. I never stopped loving you though. That’s the only way you could hurt me. Don’t shut me out again.”

“Never,” he swore.

“Then we’re good.”

“I won’t always know the right words to say or I may react to things in a way that disappoints you.”

“That’s okay. I’m not shy about telling you how I feel and I can be demanding. I’ll let you know if you drop the ball.”

“What if I do something you can’t forgive?”

She seemed to take her time thinking that over. “Don’t cheat on me. I know you’d never hit me. Those are the only two things that are deal breakers. I might be pissed if you forget my birthday but that just means you’ll have to buy me a better gift.”

“You know I’d never be unfaithful or strike you.”

“I do know. That’s the point.”

He lifted his head, holding her gaze. “I can’t ever lose you. I don’t believe I could survive.”

“I love you too, Creed. You won’t.”

“If I had a heart, you would be it.”

She slid one of her hands down to his chest. “Then I’m right here. You do have a heart. You’ll say the words one day. I can wait.”

“It hurts you.” He disappointed her already.

“No.” She smiled. “You might stumble over the L word but you show me how you feel with the things you say and in the way you touch me. I hear it and feel it.”

“I would do anything for you.”

“See? That’s love.”

“I’m already failing you as a mate.”

“Shut up.” She lifted her hand and pressed it over his mouth. “Just listen. I love you exactly how you are. I don’t expect you to be some flowery poet type or to be perfect. I don’t want that. I want you. You’re grumpy and moody a lot. Hell, you piss me off. Like now. That’s okay. I still love you. You aren’t going to convince me it was a mistake to mate you. I’m not sorry in the least. I’m happy. Well, right now I’m irritated but you know what I mean. Stop obsessing about what you think you’re going to do in the future. You are nothing like that walking misery, as you called him. I’m not like your mother, either. She allowed him to hurt her until she lost the will to live. That’s what you said. Can you ever see me suffering in silence? I never shut up.” She released his mouth. “Got it?”

He gri

She smiled back. “Get the rocks out of your head, GarLycan. You’re stuck with me for centuries.”

“Gargoyles can live for mille

Her eyes widened. “Even their mates?”

“You’ll live as long as I do. My blood will assure that.”

“Wow. That shocks me but I admit I don’t hate the idea of being able to live thousands of years with you. Then we have plenty of time to make sure our relationship works.”

He nodded. “We will.”

“Don’t worry so much. I appreciate it and it shows you’re concerned about me. See? Those aren’t actions of a man who is cold. You care too much, and that proves you’re nothing like your father.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

She yawned. “Do you know what I need?”

“Sleep?”

She nodded. “In your bed. With you. I want you to hold me. Is that going to be too weird? I know you’re used to being alone. If so, I’ll wait until you’re sleeping and just curl into you.”

“I think I can handle it.” He maneuvered out of her arms and separated their bodies. “I’m going to take the dishes into the kitchen. I’ll be right back.”

“Hurry.” She stretched, and he loved seeing her body that way. She didn’t try to hide it from him.

He picked up the dagger so she didn’t step on it if she got up during the night and collected their plates. He hurried into the kitchen, rinsing them. He’d do dishes later. He wanted to get back to her.

A light tap on the door distracted him, and he frowned. He walked over to the door though and unbolted it, keeping most of his body hidden when he peered out. He’d kill his father if it was him.