"I have so much I need to do, chaton. Kelly needs a home, she needs to be loved and taken care of."
He lifted his head slightly as she twisted around. Adele hugged him close before she buried her nose in his fur. Oh yeah, he loved how she did this to him.
"I want to be the one who looks after her, but I need a place of my own. Deirdre, the Child Protection Officer, said I need to be 'stable' which means being in my own place where Kelly can have her own room and space. I'm sure Kit will help me sort it all out. But if she's helping me do that, she can't watch over Kelly. Who else can I trust with her?"
Who can she trust? Really? What was he? Invisible! He gently pulled back from her, waiting for her to look into his eyes. Then he lowered his gaze to the rug before looking back at her face. He repeated the process a couple of times until he saw her eyes brighten with understanding. Finally!
"Dominic? You want me to ask Dominic for help?"
Yes, he most certainly did. He nuzzled her cheek with a purr to let her know she understood him. She released a low sigh as he continued to nuzzle.
"I know he would help me, but it means letting him in. Trusting him. What if he hurts me? What if I let him close and he leaves?" Her pain filled whisper made his heart ache for her.
"Everyone my mother loved abandoned her then she abandoned me. Left me alone. Oh, chaton, I don't want to be on my own any more." He felt her tears seep through his fur onto his skin as she tightly wrapped her arms around his neck and let her emotions pour out. The ragged sound of her crying tore him up, he would never leave her. How on earth was he going to prove to her he would never hurt her? He gently nuzzled her neck and shoulder while he pondered the problem.
Dominic awoke to discover he'd wrapped Adele up in his arms as they'd slept. He'd stripped down to his boxer-briefs before he'd lain down next to Adele and pulled her into his dream. Her pain and sorrow was so strong he’d felt it in the real world; instinctively he'd drawn her close to him, unable to resist wrapping her up in his arms to comfort her.
How he wished she would open up to him in reality like she did in their dreams so he could help her. He couldn't believe how hard it was to not give himself away when he talked with her during the day. He'd planned on telling her everything at the lake, but she'd had enough trouble coping with the fact the field was real. He'd figured she would have totally flipped out if she found out the snow leopard was real too. Then Kelly stumbled in, and he hadn't been able to get much time with her, not that he minded given the circumstances. The way Adele cared for and protected Kelly spoke volumes about her heart and soul.
Adele rolled into him and pulled him from his thoughts. He looked down at her as she blinked up at him. Her eyes showed her confusion at finding him in her bed. He smiled gently at her as he traced his finger up the line of her nose, over her eyebrow, then down her cheekbone to her lower lip, which he proceeded to caress with his thumb.
He watched, trying hard not to chuckle as she opened and closed her mouth a few times before she finally mustered some words.
"What are...why are..." She wasn't really awake yet. Since he didn't have an easy answer for her and before she could finish her sentence, he cut her off by covering her mouth with his, devouring her with his lips and tongue. By the time he pulled back, they were both breathing heavily, his body on fire for her. He could smell her arousal and was soaring high with pleasure. He stroked her face and hair while he trailed light kisses over her jaw line up to her ear.
"Dominic. Please..." She breathed out on a shudder he felt through his whole body.
"Please what, beautiful? Tell me what you need." Dominic whispered in her ear before gently biting the lower edge between his teeth, feeling the wave of heat come out of her body as he did. He needed to hear that she wanted this, wanted him.
"I--I don't know what I need, Dominic. But please do something." She spoke between pants. He could see her eyes were glazed over with desire. She looked stunningly sexy. But as much as he wanted to lay here and drink in her beauty, he was also burning up and wanting another taste of his beautiful mate.
"My sweet Adele. Will you trust me to look after you?" He whispered smoothly into her ear before kissing his way down her neck and over her shoulder. He held himself over her and watched as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, they looked serious. His desire was shelved while more serious thoughts dominated his mind. It worried him. Was she going to say no? If she did, he would respect her and leave--it would be the hardest thing he'd ever done, but he would. For her.
Locking her gaze onto his, she quietly spoke the sweetest words he'd ever heard.