Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28150 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Lifting one blond brow, he looked at her questioningly. “You can ask that after you just tried to escape? Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Yes. It was… I mean is, but you were so adamant that you wouldn’t let me go. Why the change of heart?”
He clenched and unclenched his fists at his side. “You won’t let me have my dignity, will you? Fine, but get ready to laugh. I love you. I think I have from the moment I set eyes on you. I’ve tried so hard to fight it, but I can’t do that any longer. I have my pride though, and I’m not going to keep you here if you don’t love me back. Now laugh. I’m sure that’s what you want to do.”
Callie was stunned. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his chest. “Do you mean it?”
“Do you want to rub it in? I’ll allow you your victory, but don’t push it. Yes, I love you. Why aren’t you laughing?” he asked tightly.
“Because I love you too. I think I’ve loved you almost from the beginning as well.”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and hard, taking her breath away. When he lifted his head, a tear escaped his eye. “You have no idea how I’ve longed to hear those words from your lips. Why did you never say anything?”
“You have a harem full of women waiting to do your bidding. What was I supposed to do? I was just one of many.”
“That’s not true. None of the other women even existed for me when you came into my life. I’ve thought of no one but you. Please say you’ll stay with me. Be my Queen.”
“I’m just a slave. Can you do that?”
“I’m the King. I can do what I want. Just say yes.”
She found his revelation overwhelming. Her need to get back to Earth to get her daughter conflicted with her longing to stay with Blaze. She burst into tears. It would be hard to leave him, but her child came first.
“‘Why are you crying, my flower? All you have to do is say yes. If you’re worried about London, I’ll raise her as if she were my own. She’ll be a princess, with all the luxuries she can dream of.”
“I love you so much, but I can’t stay with you.”
He gripped her shoulders and gave her a bewildered look. “What do you mean you can’t stay with me? If I love you and you feel the same, what’s the problem?”
“The problem is that London isn’t my only child. When we were taken by the Adieaens, my other daughter was at home with a sitter.”
“You have another child?”
“London has a twin. Her name is Paris. She’s too young to be without me. I can’t just leave her there to fend for herself.”
“So that’s the reason you were trying to escape?”
She nodded with a sniff.
“We’ve wasted so much time. If only you’d told me, we could have done something sooner. Just tell me exactly where on Earth she’s located and we’ll find her.”
“You would do that for me?” She was touched, her heart feeling like it would overflow with love for him.
“Yes. We’ll find her and bring her back. I will love London and Paris as my daughters. How could I not when they’re a part of you?”
“Oh, Blaze, I don’t know what to say. I never thought things could turn out like this.” Though she’d never get over the way she’d been taken from her home, Callie realized that if she hadn’t been, she wouldn’t have met Blaze. Things happened for a reason, and she was happy he was now in her life.
“Neither did I, but I’m glad.”
“Of course you know you’ll have to get rid of your harem. I don’t want to share you.”
He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. “Consider it done.”
“But don’t sell them off. They’re living beings with feelings.”
“My flower, we’ll handle it however you see fit. I’ll find them suitable husbands if that’s what would please you.”
She mulled it over in her head. That was probably the best solution. Callie couldn’t stomach slave trading. “I think that’s a great idea. Besides, if they’re occupied with their own men, they’ll leave mine alone.”
“You’re getting very possessive, Calliope,” he said with a wide smile on his face.
“Of course I am. You belong to me!”