Free Ever Mine (Dragon Lore) by Eden Ashe Page A

it wouldn’t take much for him to fall the rest of the way in love with her, but his family’s history of relationship instabilities and violence didn’t make him anxious to tie anyone to him. His father had claimed until his dying breath his wife was the love of his life, and that he would love her beyond forever, and she’d loved him back with a pathetic desperation. Mira Whitney had walked away from one of the wealthiest families in the country to be with Dade Alexander, convinced as long as they had each other and their two children, Nathan and Hope, they would always be happy. Instead, Dade had turned out to be a raging, abusive alcoholic, and Mira had worked herself into an early grave trying to keep food on the table while enabling her husband’s alcohol and gambling addictions.
    And Nathan, he had learned that love was a bullshit word. It meant nothing. He could tell Katen he was falling in love with her, and he could tell her she could stay with him forever.
    With a disgusted snort, he shoved off the couch and headed toward the bedroom, only to come up short when he saw her curled up on his bed, sleeping. The T-shirt she wore was still damp with tears, and her flower was cradled in one arm.
    Not sure what else to do, he turned off all the lights and gently pulled the plant away from her. He set it on the bedside table and stretched out on his back next to her. He normally slept naked, but it wasn’t the wisest idea with her so close to him at the moment. Stretching one arm out, he gently hooked it underneath her waist and pulled her into him. His little fairy kept going, however, turning all the way until one of her legs was tangled in his, her head resting on his shoulder and her hand lay gently on his chest.
    It wasn’t until he hit the twilight area before exhaustion took over, that he realized her hand was lying over his heart, as if protecting it.
    And damn if he didn’t fall a little bit more in love with her.
     

 
    Chapter 12
     
    His pillow smelled like a girl. His cock, already standing at attention, tightened at the familiar scent, and even as he rolled over, searching for the source, reality struck and he was on his feet.
    She was gone. The clothes she’d borrowed from Hope were on the dresser where he’d tossed them the night before, but the T-shirt he’d given her was gone, too. Because he refused to believe she’d leave half naked, he shoved a hand through his hair and stalked through his large-ass apartment.
    She wasn’t there. He searched every corner and under every piece of furniture, not sure she wouldn’t decide the oddest place for a human to sleep would make a comfortable bed for her. He didn’t start to panic until he found himself at the opposite end of the penthouse, with no fairy in sight.
    His jaw set as his eye began to twitch. He was going to find her, then he was going to strangle her, and then he was going to lock her up somewhere she’d be safe and unable to disappear on him again, or get herself hurt. He didn’t care if he sounded like an over-protective asshole. She had no business being out in the world without him. What the hell was she thinking?
    Telling himself it was anger that made his shoulders tremble, he went back to his bedroom. He yanked on a shirt and his shoes, then grabbed his wallet and keys off the nightstand. He was turning to head for the door when something outside his peripheral vision caught his attention. Furious at the relief rushing through him, he pushed open the patio door. “What the hell are you doing?” He snapped.
    She jumped. “Go away, Nathan. I’m working.” She stared down at the plant lying at her feet, chanting under her breath as tears slipped down her cheeks.
    Willing back his temper, he moved in front of her, and gently crooked his fingers under her chin. She fought against looking at him, as if she was afraid to take her eyes off the lily, but he was more stubborn than she could ever possibly know.
    “Hey.” Afraid of