The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,115
said, turning around and pushing him back. “You can’t say things you don’t mean. I get the humor in this, but it’s not something I want to joke about.”
“I only partially went through the mating ceremony to help you with your business.”
“It was just a lie.”
He stepped forward, his voice sincere. “Not in my heart. I came here to court you for real.”
Laughter erupted inside the store, but it was barely enough to distract me.
I looked at the way his rich brown hair framed his face, and his eyes were so striking that I couldn’t seem to notice anything else. “I know you, Lakota. You’re always trying to do the right thing. But you don’t have to feel guilty just because you’re not looking out for me. That wasn’t part of the deal. The ceremony was for Shikoba. Don’t quit your job because of this.”
He cradled my neck in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. “I’m not doing this because of obligation or pride. I want to be your mate because I love your wild heart.”
Breathless, I stood frozen for a second. “It’s just the sex talking. You can’t fall in love with the first woman you sleep with.”
“I didn’t fall in love with you because of the sex. I had sex with you because of the love.”
My pulse quickened.
Lakota looked deep into my eyes. “My wolf felt something for you that night in the snowstorm. And when you walked back into my life and I felt that same feeling again, I wasn’t sure what it was.”
“Nausea?”
“Love, Melody. A different kind of love from the one I feel for family—a love my heart has never carried for another.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this before I left?”
“I had to finish the case. Don’t think it wasn’t hell to let you go, but I couldn’t leave you hanging with words.” He touched his forehead to mine, his voice softening as he placed my hand over his heart. “Do you feel anything for me?”
I’d fallen hard and fast for Lakota—there was no denying it.
Not waiting for an answer, he placed a reverent kiss on each cheek. “I’ll never take away your dreams—I’ll help you build them. It took me years to understand this feeling, and maybe this is all sudden, but you’re my life mate. I know it, and my wolf knows it. I’m not going to walk away from us, and I’ll fight to the death for you.”
My wolf sang. Lakota gave me the words I’d longed to hear but no man had ever given me—words of reassurance. A promise that he would stand by my side and build a life with me, not around me. I wanted to fall into his arms and give him everything.
“I’m only asking for one thing in return,” he continued.
“What’s that?” I whispered.
Lakota gazed at me ardently. “Your heart.”
“Where’s that cake?” someone yelled.
When I tried to look away, he lifted my chin with the crook of his finger. “Do you have any feelings for me?”
“Lakota…” My lip trembled. “I can’t even breathe when I think of life without you. And I’m not that girl. I’ve never been that girl who hangs on the dream of a man. I can’t stand here and pretend that I don’t love you, but it will never work out. Not like this. My deal saved Hope, but it ruined everything for us.” My breath hitched, and I felt on the verge of tears. “How can we do this and expect everyone to just accept it? My pack, your stepfather, the lies—”
His mouth was on mine, his strong hands encircling my waist. My head whirled with fear and worry, but my heart only knew one thing: I needed Lakota in my arms. When our kiss broke, I nuzzled my face against his neck. I belonged in his embrace, and maybe I’d always known that he was my home.
“I want to be your shelter,” he whispered. “I want to be your shield. Tell me you don’t want that.”
“I’m just afraid of being blindsided,” I said, breaking down my walls. “I’m afraid of loving you so hard that I won’t even see it when you realize I’m not what you really want.”
“You’re everything—my world, my heart, my soul, my future. There is no other. You’re the only female I want to share my life with—the only one who makes me feel alive. I know what you’re afraid of, but I’m never going to hurt you. I would end my life before causing