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Dedicated to the readers who would go with their kidnapper willingly if they said they had books.
You might say my obsession has become a compulsion in the way I need to know everything about Scarlet Laurent.
Ten years ago, when I was sixteen, Scarlet’s family attempted a coup, killing my father and abducting me and my two younger brothers, Bash and Xander.
I’d never told Damon the way Scarlet took care of my wounds, kept me fed, or how she held me together, fierce arms wrapped around me when the sound of my brothers’ screams pierced my ears.
He dips his head to my ear so only I can hear him, and I can’t stop my shiver when he says, “I’ve caught you, Little Sparrow.”
Dressing her has been one of the small indulgences I’ve allowed myself. Spoiling my girl even before she’s mine.
I will do whatever it takes to make her happy, even at the cost of my own sanity.
“She told you she didn’t want to hear about it until she was at least twenty-five. That if someone was truly interested in her, they’d be willing to wait.”
I want to live in an eggshell-blue house with a wraparound porch and a tire swing hanging from a tree. I want to be chased around my backyard by jelly-covered faces. Is that too much to ask?
“So, what are you saying? You’ve been waiting for her?” “Ten fucking years, Damon. Her time’s almost up.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “That my Little Sparrow is about to be mine.”
“May I ask what he did?” “He fucked with what’s mine.”
now I’m living my teenage nightmare, indebted to my childhood crush.
My reaction just reaffirms why I needed to stay away from her all this time. I can’t be in a room with her for five minutes without wanting to own every single one of her moans.
I should keep my hands to myself, but I’ve never been able to do what I’m supposed to, so I slide my hand onto the bare skin of her knee.
I let her go, knowing she won’t be free for long. Five days, Little Sparrow. Then you’re mine.
Did one of you assholes buy a law firm? Me: I bought Scarlet’s law firm. Bash: Damn Matthias, you’re just like Damon. Xander: I hope it’s not fucking contagious.
forehead to mine, our breaths mixing together, and smirks. “I haven’t come in my pants since high school.” Shock rocks through me. “You what?” His smirk turns into a smile. “You haven’t said my name in over a decade. I couldn’t help it.” He nuzzles his nose against mine. “Say it again.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re stalking her.” Bash smirks like he already knows the answer. “I guess it depends on what qualifies as a stalking.” Bash huffs out a breath. “Yeah, I don’t think it’s that complicated. Probably one of those things where if you have to ask, you’re definitely doing it.”
“The real question is why pay attention to her now?” Bash cuts in. “Figured I should warm her up a bit before I make it so she can’t escape.”
I know this is going to take more than a simple I’m sorry, but one day, she’ll understand. Because I can’t accept any other future where she’s not my wife.
I deserve better than some guy who only cares about me when he wants to. I want to be someone’s everything.
“She’ll try to kill you.” The idea of her, fire in her eyes as she takes a swing at me, has my cock twitching. I’m one hundred percent a sick fuck. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I’ve been waiting for her for so long that my heart aches at the sight. I run my thumb over her cheek, pushing back a stray strand of hair. Fuck, if I keep this up, I’m going to cry.
“I love you, Scarlet. I’ve always loved you. I loved you enough to let you go.”
“I don’t think you have any idea how devastatingly in love with you I am.
I’m done fucking asking. I did what you wanted for a decade, and now I’m taking what’s mine.”
“I’m hoping you have twins that look just like you.” Heat flushes my cheeks. “Please be serious.” “Look at me, Scarlet,” he commands, and I obey. “I’m dead fucking serious about this. We’ve wasted entirely too much time, and I’ve been waiting too long.” He runs his hand over my still-flat stomach, his gaze out of focus. “Soon.”
There really could be a little Matthias in there. Deep brown hair and dark eyes, but I’ll never let them hold the same hurt he carries around. Instead, they’ll glow with warmth as I wrap them in my arms and promise to always protect them. Matthias deserves that. Another chance at happiness, and…so do I.
“He looks at you like you’re his world,” she says quietly. “Well, he’s kind of obsessed with me now.” “Not just now. If I saw him staring off into a room, I knew I’d find you on the other end. That man has been absolutely smitten, probably his entire life.”
“You belong here, Scarlet. They’ll love you just as much as I do if you’ll let them.”
“Even as a kid, I knew you were my soul. Letting you fly was the least I could do.
If I can’t feel the pulse of your heart, you’re not close enough.”
My girl’s getting possessive, and I fucking love it.
“Promise me we will never be like our parents.” “You never have to worry about that. We’re going to surround them with so much love they won’t be able to comprehend how we grew up. They will never know what it feels like to have parents who don’t adore them.”
To be fair, I don’t give a fuck what we talk about when she glares at me like that. I just want her to stay.
I want her to tell me everything so I can survive on the thoughts of her when she’s out of here.
“Then I’ll find a guy, get married, and have a half dozen kids. Live in an eggshell-blue house with white trim and a wood shake roof. With a wraparound porch and a tire swing hanging from a tree. I want to be chased around my backyard by jelly-covered faces. Is that too much to ask?”
“Kiss me.” I swallow hard, not trusting my own ears. “What?” “I don’t want my first kiss to be some gross old guy who’s willing to marry a fifteen-year-old girl.” All I see is blue when she says, “I want it to be you.”
“I’ll be the one to marry you when you turn twenty-five.”
If someone’s interested, I don’t want to hear about it until I’m at least twenty-five. If they are really serious about me and not just the title, they’ll be willing to wait.”
