Page 38 of The Dark Elf's Secret Baby
“You are only seeing what you want to,” I lie. “I won’t marry you. Not now. Not ever.”
He clucks his tongue, lifting his hand to touch my cheek in a tender gesture I forget to pull away from. “I’ve never lied to you, Layla. I wish you’d stop doing so to me.”
And then he stands, leaving me trembling and wanting as he spins on his heel. Without Jasper, I see him as the elf he’s become: powerful, commanding, and unyielding. My Kerym is still underneath, but I can’t say I don’t like this hardened exterior, either.
He pauses at the door, his hand on the knob. He doesn’t even turn to look at me as he drawls, just loud enough for me to hear, “You don’t have to marry me now. But make no mistake. I have won you over before, and I will do so again. You are mine, Layla, and I won’t lose you twice.”
The door closes behind him, the soft hum of his words still vibrating in the air, and I melt into my chair. I can’t believe how Kerym reduces me into a puddle with only a glance and a few words.
And it takes everything in me not to dash out after him.
23
Kerym
Ihaven’t felt like this in so long. It’s like the ground itself is made of air, boosting my every step. The air is fresher, the sky is brighter, and life is just…better. That’s what it's like to be around my Layla.
She can deny her feelings for me all she wants, but I know her better than she does. I can read her body like an open book, and every hitch of her breath and heated glance only spurs me on. It’s a matter of time before she stops pushing me away, and I am willing to wait as long as it takes to make her mine again.
This last week I’ve spent time with Jasper, letting myself delve into childish behaviors as I get to know him. I laugh and enjoy my time with them as a family, and when I get Layla alone, I push her buttons. I know that she has a defiant streak and she likes to tease me, but I also know just how to ignite a different kind of fire within her.
And I’ve been riding a fine line of how far to push her since I arrived.
I probably should be more focused on my duties here on the island. Most Lieutenants wouldn’t still be here, but the longer it takes me to fulfill my tasks, the more time I have with Layla and Jasper, which is where all my attention has been anyway.
Especially on Layla. She’s been trying to keep me at arm’s length, but I’ve been chipping away at it day by day. I am no longer worried if she will accept me like I was back at Camp Horizon. I used to fear that she didn’t want me.
Now, I see that those worries cost me too much, and I’ve been putting myself on the line every chance I get. I touch her as much as she will allow, I tell her how beautiful she is and how much I missed her as frequently as I can a day without aggravating her.
And I absolutely do not let fear keep me from my girl.
Gone is the timidness I once felt when it came to asking Layla to be mine. I’ve grown more confident in myself and with every reaction of hers, I grow more confident in us. She is mine, already, I just need her to say the words so we can make it official.
And I think that tonight might be the tipping point. With her friend Harper’s help, I’ve arranged a surprise that I think is going to break through the rest of Layla’s walls. I know she’s always been guarded and tried to protect herself, but I want her to see that I am not the one who she should be wary of. I should be defending those walls for her.
I’m practically skipping as I make my way through the village, a massive smile on my face. People stare at me like I’ve gone mad, but I don’t care. Tonight is the night. I can feel it in my bones.
Just as the sun kisses the shore, I arrive at Layla’s front door. I knock, and the door is flung open to reveal little Jasper.
“Play!” he shouts, and I chuckle.
Before I have to let him down, though, a small girl appears behind him. “Play at my house,” she insists, grabbing his arm.
Jasper’s lips purse as he looks between the two of us, and thankfully, Harper appears, too. “That’s right,” she tells Jasper. “You’re going to stay with me and Adelaide tonight, remember?”
He looks to me again, and I drop down in a squat and muss his hair. “Play tomorrow?”
To sweeten the deal, Harper adds, “I have chocolate cake at my house, Jas.”
“And a new toy!” Adelaide squeals.
“What do you say?” I ask him. “Play tomorrow?”
With a big goofy grin, he nods, and Harper steps outside with the kids. “She’s all ready,” she whispers. “Good luck.”
I chuckle, murmuring a thank you as she takes off with the two little ones. I step inside, and stop dead in my tracks.
Layla is coming into the living room, and she looks stunning. Her clothes hug her beautiful curves, her hair falls in dramatic curls, and her perfect features are expertly highlighted. My heart is close to beating out of my chest.