Chapter 36
Chapter 36
His thumb brushes my cheek. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice soft and kind.
I hastily nod, my heart pounding. “Yeah, I’m okay,” I say, trying my best to convince him… and myself.
He doesn’t seem to buy it, his eyes still full of concern. He steps back, but his hands linger on my hips, as if he’s afraid I’ll suddenly collapse. His touch stirs something in me-
something dangerous and wild. But it also feels safe, which is a feeling I haven’t experienced in far too long.
Too stunned to form another coherent reply. He looms over me, his blue eyes holding a curious light in them. I can feel my heart fluttering and realize that for the first time since Rhett, I’m feeling something – an unexpected pull to King Soren, one I only felt when the mate bond was playing havoc.
–
“Good,” he says, his hand rising to my face. His fingers trace down my face to the edge of my jaw, sending waves of energy through my body down to my toes.
He stays there for a moment longer, just looking at me. I don’t know what he sees in me a desperate runaway, a woman half–broken by the man she’d planned to marry. But the way he’s looking at me doesn’t reflect pity or indifference; there’s something in his gaze that’s almost… tender.
A sudden chirp from above catches our attention and we both look up to see Max displaying a triumphant smirk from his perch. Soren chuckles lightly, breaking the tension
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between us and quickly withdraws his hand.
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Our moment is broken by Max’s voice. “I told you my dad was strong.”
I pull Max down from the branch, feeling Soren’s hands steadying me. “You’re lucky he is, Max. You nearly gave me a heart attack,” I scold him lightly.
Max hugs me. “You’re lucky, you’re so cute,” I tell him.
“Or what?” he challenges.
“Or I might not forgive you,” I reply, meeting his mischievous
gaze.
“How can you say no to this face?” he bats his lashes.
“Easily when it’s being the spawn of Satan,” I retort.
“I could get my father to order you to play with me,” he says, looking over at Soren.
“Your father is just as bad, telling you to pry my fingers off,” I
state.
“I told you I would catch you,” Soren says, close to my ear.
“And if you dropped me?” I challenge turning my cheek to look at him only when I do I find him right there over my shoulder, my nose bumping his. He smiles and his eyes flicker black for a second, making me gasp.
“Well, you wouldn’t be able to leave now, would you? Max would have a new best friend to play with until you healed,” he laughs, pulling away.
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“Very funny,” I say, rolling my eyes.
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“Wait really, can you order her up the tree? I want her to stay, I” push her again just don’t catch her. She can sleep in my room,” Max suggests excitedly.
I scoff. “Please, please, Dad?” Max begs.
“Oh, you are being quite the brat today,” I tell him, moving back to the picnic rug.
As we begin to clean up the picnic, Soren receives a call. “You have to take it don’t you.” Max whines. I chew my lip watching as his father nods.
“Maybe I can take Max with me to check Granny?” I suggest. Soren looks at me, then his phone. “Please Dad?” Max begs and he sighs. He looks conflicted but eventually agrees to let Max come with me to my place as he has a meeting. I remind him that I need to make dinner for Granny but he can swing by picking Max up or I can drop him back.
Packing the rest of the picnic paraphernalia, I steal a glance at Soren. The lines on his forehead deepen as he talks into the phone, his voice carrying a stern authority. Max huddles up to me, looking at his father with concern in his eyes. “He’s always so busy,” Max sighs. A pang of sadness courses through me, making me hug him closer.
“I’m sure he would rather spend time with you if he could,” I assure him, patting him gently on the back.
Seeing Soren’s furrowed brow and tight–lipped expression, my heart sinks. Even though we’ve only interacted briefly, I can already tell that it pains him to be dragged away from his
son.
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I turn my attention to Max. “Let’s get going,” I say cheerfully, trying my best to lighten the mood.
