“Arrogant bossiness?” There was humor in his voice.
“You know you’re arrogant, Aleksei, and you’re definitely bossy.”
The smile faded from his face. “I want you to know what you are getting into, Gabrielle. I am not the kind of man to carry on idle conversation with others. I have never associated with humans and I do not have tolerance for people and the way they think they are entitled.”
She studied his face. He was very serious, but he wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t already know. “What are you trying to tell me, Aleksei?”
“I do not like that you think you are not a worthy lifemate for me. I will never put up with your mother, or anyone else, for that matter, intimidating you by throwing tantrums. Your father and your brother should have protected you. They did not. I will. If this woman, who I know you love, picks up an object and throws it at you or one of our children, I will take care of the problem once and for all. Do you understand? I do not want you to start our relationship thinking you got yourself someone nice.”
She touched his mouth with two fingers. “I would never describe you as nice, Aleksei. You can be sweet, though. I realized you taking charge made me feel safe for the first time in my life. I love my father and my brother. I do. I adore my sister. But in my home, growing up, I never felt safe. I never felt as if any of them would stand up for me against my mother. I might be wrong, because I never ever challenged her, but I know you would. I know you wouldn’t let her throw things and maybe hit one of our children with whatever she throws. I know if I were upset by her behavior, you would definitely stop her. So I know, for you, for that kind of protection, for leaning so heavily on your strength, doing what you asked would never be a burden.”
His green eyes blazed down at her. Flared with heat. She felt his cock, deep inside her, jerk, stretch the tight walls of her channel, and it felt delicious. Perfect. So right.
“So you know I am not going to try to make people like me, even your family or friends. I do not care if anyone likes me.” His face softened and he bit her chin gently, sending another ripple of fire through her. “With the exception of you. I would much prefer it if you liked me.”
Gabrielle couldn’t help it, she laughed softly. “I think you’re safe, Aleksei. I’m pretty certain I like you.”
“That is good.” His body began a slow glide in hers. “I was worried.”
“You weren’t in the least worried. If you thought I didn’t like you, you’d just order me to get over it.” Her fingers dug into him. “You can’t possibly start all over again.”
“I think you are wrong, kislány. I am fairly certain I can.”
Gabrielle burst out laughing, the sound ringing through the chamber. Her laughter was genuine and she realized she was happy. Really happy. She wasn’t in a house with a white picket fence and a swing on the porch, she was in a cave high up in the Carpathian Mountains, and she was happier than she could ever remember.
She circled Aleksei’s neck with her arms and pulled his head down to hers, her mouth finding his. He made it easy, and his kisses lit up her world. And she loved that, too. She gave herself up to him. To the fire he created. To the way he made her feel, safe and cherished. In a million years, she would never have believed Aleksei would have been the man to make her feel so happy.
She didn’t know how much time passed. She was lost in his body, in the things he did to hers, but she felt it was all too soon before they were dressed and heading out of the cave. She paused at the entrance, looking back, knowing they were returning to the monastery, to that place of four walls and nothing else.
“Gabrielle?”
She turned back. Aleksei stood there, tall and wholly masculine, his long hair unbound, the wind moving through it just as she liked to sift her fingers through it. He held out his hand to her. She looked at it for a long moment. He had big hands, strong. So strong. She took a deep breath and put her hand in his. Aleksei pulled her to his side. Close. She liked how he always did that. He liked contact with her. A lot of contact. She slipped her arm around his waist.
“What is it?”
“I like it here. I don’t like the monastery as well.” Honesty was the only way to go with Aleksei. She knew if she tried to avoid answering him, he would stand there forever until she either told him or he lost patience and looked in her mind for the answer.
“We will not be there forever. I know your work is important. As soon as possible, we will make a home closer to where you do your research.” He brought her hand up to his mouth, his lips skimming her knuckles. “We will have a beautiful home, Gabrielle. Anything you want.”