Chapter 7

HAVEN

Grace was staring at me, her mouth hanging open in surprise. I knew right then that she wouldn’t be going back to her grandmother’s house tonight. I couldn’t bear the thought of her being alone and vulnerable. She was coming with me, and after the weekend, she’d be moving in permanently.

I wasn’t going to give her a choice in the matter. Not after what almost happened... The mere thought of it made my blood boil. That kid had come close to dying, but thanks to Grace, he’d live to see another day.

“Let’s go, baby. We’re leaving,” I told her, wrapping an arm around her waist to help her stand.

She leaned into me, a little unsteady on her feet. I had to support her as we moved through the house. She was in no condition to walk on her own. The kid who’d spiked her drink without her knowing was a real piece of work. I was struggling to keep my anger in check, especially when Daryl and Lee appeared in front of us as we were crossing the living room.

“What happened?” Lee asked, her eyes wide with shock as she saw her friend in my arms.

“I’m taking Grace home,” I stated firmly, causing both of them to whip their heads towards me.

I was so angry that I took control of them. How could they have let their friend down like this? They were going to regret it. I’d make sure of that.

“Get your act together,” I ordered.

I saw the boy flinch, looking horrified to find his arm around Lee’s waist. They could remember what they did while under my control, but they couldn’t resist my will.

Lee was blushing hard, but she seemed to have enjoyed it, which suggested that she had feelings for Daryl even before I forced them together.

I didn’t want to see them again, but since they were Grace’s friends, I’d have to be civil. It was better if they weren’t under my control either. I didn’t want Grace to be mad at me.

I walked past them and continued out of the house. As soon as we were outside in the chilly night air, I scooped Grace up in my arms because she was moving too slowly for my liking.

I carried her to my car, which was conveniently parked right across the street. I opened the door and gently laid her on the passenger seat.

She gave me a big, wobbly smile, her gaze drifting to my lips. She’d been too naughty, ignoring my texts and calls. I couldn’t reward her now. She needed to learn that she couldn’t make me worry like that.

I closed her door and got behind the wheel. As I started driving, she sat quietly next to me, chewing on her lower lip. I could smell her guilt, and I almost felt bad for letting her think I was mad at her. I didn’t want to feel that scared for her again.

The feeling I had when I saw that boy with her... It was dangerous for an old creature like me. She had no idea what I was capable of doing for her. If it meant killing a house full of teenagers, it was nothing to me.

“I’m sorry,” she said, a tear trickling down her cheek. “I should have listened to you. I wanted to spend time with you anyway, but I thought that it would probably be the last time I would see all my friends in one place.”

~Damn it, she had to cry! ~I exhaled and squeezed her knee in an attempt to comfort her.

“I’m not mad at you, Grace. I was worried. Don’t ever do that again. I understand that you wanted to have fun with your friends, but...you’re too beautiful for idiots like that boy to not try anything. If you want to look that sexy, do it only for me.”

She lifted her tear-filled honey eyes to me, and I gave her a small smile. I had imagined picking her up from her house and having a nice dinner at my place before we talked about us, but she had to be stubborn and go to her party. I hoped we wouldn’t have to go through this again, or there would be consequences.

She started to frown, and she put her head in her hands, bending forward. What was happening to her?

“Grace?” I asked, worried.

“I don’t feel so good,” she said, her breath coming in short gasps.

What had he put in her drink? ~Damn it! ~I pulled the car over to the side of the road and got out to open her door. I knelt in front of her and rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. She took my hand and pressed it to her cheek, exhaling deeply.

I was cooler than humans, so maybe the cold was what she needed. She took a few deep breaths and seemed to feel better. Color was returning to her cheeks. I allowed myself to breathe a sigh of relief. She was going to be okay.

“You can sleep, sweetheart,” I told her gently. “We’re not far from home now.”

“I don’t want to. I want to spend time with you until you disappear again,” she replied, shaking her head.

“I’m not going to disappear anymore. I promise,” I said, kissing her forehead. “Sleep. I’ll wake you when we’re there.”

She nodded and closed her eyes, just like the first time we met. She fell asleep quickly. I closed the door gently and got back behind the wheel.

I was even more eager to get her home now. She looked so vulnerable. I couldn’t shake the image of her trying to fight back and not being able to.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter as I tried to contain my rage. I’d broken his arm. That was enough for now.

Once we reached my house, I remotely opened the door to my garage and parked the car inside. Grace was still sleeping soundly when I picked her up in my arms.

Her dress was so short that it rode up as I carried her to the bedroom. Damn. I wanted to take care of her, but she made things so difficult.

The garage led to the kitchen, so I had to walk through it and the living room to reach the stairs that led to my bedroom. I laid her on the bed and took off her shoes to make her more comfortable. I didn’t want to undress her without her consent, so I decided to wake her up gently.

“Grace,” I whispered, brushing her cheek with my fingers. “We’re home, baby girl.”

She hummed a little before her eyes fluttered open. It took a moment for her to focus, but when she did, her gaze landed on me and she smiled.

“Am I dreaming again?” she asked, her voice still thick with sleep.

“No, sweetheart.” I laughed softly. “You’re not dreaming. Do you need help getting out of your dress?”

Her eyes widened at my question, and I saw them fill with desire. ~Don’t look at me like that,~ I thought to myself. This was pure torture. I had plans for us to get all hot and bothered in the bedroom, but... she was likely still tipsy, and I didn’t want her first time to be like that.

“Yes,” she said before I could tell her that there would be no action tonight. She was blushing and looking at me with such anticipation. Damn it.

“All right.” I nodded, trying to keep my cool.

She sat on the bed and lifted her arm to give me access to the zipper on her side. I slid it down, revealing a hip and the black lace of her underwear.

Every fiber of my being was screaming at me to take her now and make her mine, but we needed to talk before I did that. She needed to know what she was getting herself into.

I lifted her dress to take it off, and she was now standing in matching black lace bra and panties. She looked so beautiful. I took a moment to admire her body. The scars were still visible, but that didn’t change a thing for me. She was a goddess.

I managed to tear my gaze away long enough to get her one of my shirts. That would do for tonight.

I had bought her babydolls that would fit her perfectly, but I was too on edge right now, so she needed to wear my scent. That would help me stay in control. I handed the shirt to her and she tilted her head to the side, confused.

“Put it on for the night.” I smiled at her.

“Aren’t we...,” she started.

“When you’re sober in the morning, nothing will stop me anymore.” I smirked.

“But I’m sober now,” she countered. “Sleeping did help, and...I want you. I’ve waited enough, Haven.”

She could be so assertive, but she would lose that attitude with me. I was about to tell her no again when she unclipped her bra. Her breasts spilled out for me to see, and I froze.

I loved big breasts above everything else on a woman’s body. Actually, big breasts and big hips, and that was exactly what my girl had.

Her body was on display for me—almost. Only a small piece of fabric remained to hide her wet center. She liked that I undressed her too much.

“Grace...,” I growled. “I can’t do that to you when you’re drunk.”

“I’m not anymore. I swear,” she insisted. “Please, Haven. Please take me. I want to be yours.”

She had done the only thing that I was weak to: begging. I wanted her to do it again. I pounced before she could change her mind. If she wanted to be mine, she was in for a ride.