“Just promise me you won’t do it again. I mean, the stuff in the bedroom is fine,” I blush, looking down at my plate, “but no more messing around in my head. My thoughts and feelings are mine. You might be able to feel them and influence what I think, but they are mine, Dorian.”
Dorian puts down his fork and turns to me with a furrowed brow. “You’re angry.”
“You’re damn right, I’m angry! I mean, I get why you made the link; it’s for my own safety. But I have to be honest with you- if you had given me a choice, if I would have known what was in that vial, I would have said no.” I let out a breath, and grab his hands, trying to make him see my point without hurting his feelings. “I thought I was going crazy, Dorian. I felt stupid as hell ignoring all the signs pointing to what you were. Don’t take that away from me. Don’t take away my ability to think for myself. You don’t want a puppet for a girlfriend.”
Dorian stares at me for what seems like several minutes, his ice blue eyes unblinking and unreadable. “You’re right,” he finally mutters. “You are absolutely right. I’ll never make you feel like that again.”
I nod and return to my plate. It really is delicious and the fact that Dorian has prepared it makes it that much more scrumptious. “Thank you.”
Dorian doesn’t budge; he’s still staring at me intently. “You want to break the link. You wouldn’t have chosen that for yourself.”
I wash down my bite of food with the rest of my beer. Something tells me I’m going to need a few more. “I get why you did it, Dorian. And I appreciate that you trust me that much. But if you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly easy to love. I say the wrong things, I’m too aggressive, and I have a habit of hurting the people I care about. One day you’ll realize that, and I’ll be dead.”
He frowns at me like I have two heads, and I swear I hear a low growl vibrate from his chest. “Don’t ever say that,” he mutters between clenched teeth. His eyes spark with heated electricity. “I would never, ever do that, Gabriella. How many times do I have to tell you? You are everything to me. Maybe that depth of devotion is hard for you to understand being that you still have this silly notion that you are human and need to conform to human standards of commitment. But I absolutely, unconditionally love you. That will never change, little girl.”
I nearly flinch at his intensity, unable to tear my eyes away from his. I believe him; every fiber of my being believes him. And because I feel that same gravity of devotion for him, I can understand why he made the link. Part of me is glad that he did it. He chose me, not Aurora, not some other equally gorgeous, powerful force. He chose me.
My mouth curls up into a smile, and a giggle erupts from my lips. “You know, you could have just sent flowers.”
Dorian matches my jovial expression, stowing his ominous scowl. “No. You don’t want flowers.”
“You’re right. A six pack then? Nothing says I love you like booze.” I return to my meal, hoping it isn’t too cold. “So what time are we leaving for the hospital?”
“We?” he scoffs. “We aren’t going anywhere, Gabriella.”
I sit straight up, no sign of good humor to be found on my face. “Why not?” Dorian shakes his head and chuckles a bit, causing me to grow furious with his amusement at my expense. “That’s bullshit, Dorian and you know it. I’m coming!”
Before I can blink, Dorian is in my face, only mere inches separating us from contact. His eyes are fiery bright blue, alight with anger and lust. He bares his teeth, a low, guttural growl rumbling his chest. I reflexively recoil in surprise, taking in a sharp breath. Just like that, Dorian’s darkness has crept back in with a vengeance.
“No,” he seethes between gritted teeth.
My breath is ragged with anxiety and I know I shouldn’t push him when he’s like this, but my stubbornness overrides my sanity. “Why not? Jared is my friend.”
“I said no. I cannot protect you and try to…fix his mother at the same time,” he replies stonily. This whole issue has him riled up.
“I never asked you to protect me; I asked you to protect my friends. I can handle myself. I’m going!” I say with a bit more fervor. I won’t let him intimidate me. He’s trying to scare me into submission. And while I’d love nothing more than to run and cower in a corner, I can’t let him bully me.
Some fucked up relationship we’ve got, eh?
“Don’t you get it, Gabriella?” he spews. “This could very well be a trap to lure you. The first place you’re expected to be is the hospital. Don’t let your pride cause you to act recklessly.”