Free Consumed by Julia Crane Page B

ear. “You just tell me the date and time and I will be there.”
    Keegan wiped a tear from her cheek.
    “Why are you crying?” His voice sounded panicked. “I don’t want you to cry.”
    “I don’t know. It’s stupid. I was excited and nervous thinking I was going to lose my virginity today, and now I feel like an idiot. My own chosen doesn’t want me.” Keegan threw a pillow across the room, her anger obvious.
    Rourk was worried she would turn the room into a block of ice. “Keegan, look at me.”
    She slowly raised her head to meet his eyes, a sullen look on her face.
    “I’m sorry you don’t agree, but this is who I am. You say that you love me right?’ Rourk asked gently.
    Keegan nodded.
    “Well, you need to love this part about me as well.” Rourk reached out to take her hand. “We have a lifetime to spend together, and I’m sure plenty of it will be spent in bed. Let’s just spend this time getting to know each other more. Ok?”
    Keegan wiped her nose with the back of her hand and nodded. “Will you still sleep in my bed with me?”
    Rourk hung his head. “I can’t. I’m sorry.”
    “I promise I won’t attack you in the middle of the night.”
    Rourk took a deep breath. “I hope I don’t regret this. Yes, I’ll stay in here.”
    “Thank you. I’m going to change into my PJ’s I’ll be right back.” Keegan rummaged through her drawer looking for the least sexiest thing to wear and then headed to her bathroom. She came out a few minutes later wearing Power Puff Girls pajamas. “How’s this?”
    “You look adorable.” Rourk noticed she still had the necklace on. “Come here.”
    Keegan walked over and Rourk stood up. He put his hands around her neck to unlatch the necklace. Keegan jerked away. “No, don’t take it off. It hurts too much.”
    “Keegan, I am here you don’t need it anymore.”
    She looked skeptical. “Are you sure?”
    “Trust me.” He unlatched the necklace and set it on her nightstand.
    Keegan grinned. “No pain.” She reached up and kissed him. Rourk hesitantly returned the kiss.
    “Don’t worry, Rourk. I promised, so you need to trust me.” She kissed him again.
    “It’s not you I don’t trust, it’s me. This is much harder than you can imagine. I’ve lain awake many nights dreaming of being alone with you.”
    “You have? Seriously?” She crossed her arms across her chest. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”
    “Of course not, Keegan, you are beautiful and you are mine. I want to explore everything about you. I just want to wait until you are my wife.”
    “That’s really sweet.” Keegan pulled his hand to her lips and kissed it.
    “I know you’re tired after that long flight. Why don’t you get changed and we’ll try to get some sleep.” She crawled under the covers.
    Rourk left to grab his backpack from the living room. He changed into a pair of shorts and T-shirt. He wished she would just agree to marry him so they wouldn’t have to deal with this. It was almost funny—Keegan had been torturing him since he first laid eyes on her. He should be used to it by now. He would endure anything she threw his way.
    He got under the covers and she snuggled up against him. She fit perfectly in his arms.
    Rourk ran a hand through her hair, his other arm tucked tightly around her small frame. She was asleep in no time. He lie awake awhile, listening to her breathe. His last thought before he dozed off was I am the luckiest man on the planet.

Chapter 11

    K eegan woke up and flung her arm across the bed to find it empty. Was her night with him a dream?
    She rubbed her eyes and sat up, the blankets falling away from her. She looked around for any proof that he had been there, but saw nothing but the faint indentation in her purple satin sheets. She flopped back on the bed and grabbed the pillow next to her. Bringing it to her face, she pressed its softness to her face and breathed deep. Yep, he’s real . She loved the