Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Artair

I placed a damp cloth on Luna's forehead, running my finger across her brow. She looked so impossibly young when she slept, causing me to question if it was right of me to want her to stay. She had her entire life ahead of her, and being fifteen years her senior felt off, even though I knew I looked much younger than my age. It wasn't just the age issue either, but also the world in which I lived. Court rooms, politics and stuffy social engagements would be boring, and I wasn't sure how a life like that was would be fair to her. She should be out living her best life and exploring the world, not getting stuck with me in a stuffy castle.

Did those things matter, or was I overthinking us? Seeing her almost completely passed out and held prisoner in the arms of a stalker had done something to me. I'd wanted her back with a fury I'd never felt before. Had the police not been there, I had no doubt I would have torn him apart and buried his body on my property.

That wasn't all that happened though, not for me. She was checked out at the hospital and given fluids and a counter injection for what he'd put in her glass of champagne. Had she not thrown up when she did, recovery may have taken days longer. Had that been Stan Jarvis' intent? To keep her subdued until he was ready to live out his sick fantasy? My hands curled into fists at the idea of him touching any part of her.

I never wanted to feel that helpless again and vowed to never let anything happen to her. How would I keep that vow if I didn't keep her? For once I understood exactly how Luna felt when her brain became, as she described it, scrambled eggs.

She was still sleeping, but had a rough night, crying out often. I hated knowing that all I could do was hold her through it. If I loved her, I'd let her go. If I wasn't a selfish bastard, I would cut the bond that connected us. Heavy are the shoulders that hold the burden. A bastardized quote from Shakespeare's Henry the IV .

"Artair?"

Luna had awakened.

"Right here." I strode to her side of the bed.

She sighed and lay her head back down. "I have the worst headache."

"The doctor gave me something to help with that." I grabbed the pill bottle from the pocket of my tux and unscrewed the cap, handing her one with a bottle of water. "This should help. I'll order coffee, and I think you should eat something, your belly is empty. What would you like?"

She swallowed her pill and handed me back the water. "Do you think Mrs. McGregor could handle waffles with fruit and syrup? I'd like something a little sweet."

"Whatever my princess wants," I replied offhandedly.

Luna froze and what little color she had drained from her face. "You said that to me last night." I watched as she played back last night's events, every terrified moment reflected on her beautiful face. "The last thing I remember was you carrying me out of the Gallery. Did they catch him?"

"They did. For a man of his age, he sure had a lot of aliases. Don't worry about him, Luna, he'll be going away for a long time."

She fluffed up her pillows and leaned against the headboard. "Is it really over?"

"It really is."

Her mouth lifted in a small, but very happy smile. "Thank goodness. Daddy, can I have bacon too, oh and maybe some eggs? I'm hungrier than I realized."

That, or with the relief of learning she was safe, she was able to let go of the stress and her body was asking for nutrients.

"You relax, while I order your food."

Twenty minutes later, Rose carried in the tray and placed it on her lap. "We're so glad you're okay, Miss Luna, we were all so worried." Rose had a thick Glaswegian accent that most people found hard to understand, but not Luna.

She smiled at Rose, gratefully. "Aww, thanks, Rose, but you didn't have to worry about me, I had this big lug to protect me."

I almost spit out my sip of coffee. Luna laughed and Rose giggled nervously, obviously unsure sure how to react. I'd never been particularly close with my staff and was fascinated by the level of closeness Luna had gained in the few weeks she'd been here, something I hadn't accomplished in twelve years.

"Aye, well he is a big brawny man," Rose replied tentatively. "I best get going."

"Wait. Tell Mrs. McGregor that the breakfast was the best I've ever had."

"How can you say that when you haven't even tried it yet?" Rose asked.

"Because," Luna said, straightening and taking her first bite. "I just know."

Rose smiled at her. "Aye, I'm sure you do. I'll tell her. Sir." She nodded at me and departed the room.

"Aren't you eating?"

"With all that food, I thought you'd share with me, lass."

Luna gathered up a large forkful, making sure to include a little bit of everything on the plate and placed the bite in my mouth. Her eyes glittered with amusement. "Well, is it the best you ever had?"

Did she mean the food? "Aye. The very best."

When the meal was done, I helped her to her feet and into the shower. I was desperate to take her against the foggy glass, but I wanted to ensure she was fully healed from her experience.

She whined a bit when I put her to bed, but was asleep again in minutes, so clearly she needed her rest. In my office, I sat down and did some mundane work to make the hours pass and entered the bedroom just as she was getting out of bed.

"Where do you think you're going, young lady?"

"Duh. To find you, of course. I'm hungry."

"Again?"

"Yeah. But not for food. I want you, Daddy."

Damn, if my cock didn't rise to its fullest potential in seconds. The woman had that much of an effect on me. She lay back on the bed, spreading her legs.

"Please."

I should've taken my time, but I couldn't wait any longer. This was it, the moment where I cut her loose and let her live her life or claimed her as mine forever. I stopped undressing and sat on the bed. "Lass, we need to talk."

Luna didn't budge, moving a finger to her slick folds and spreading her petals for me.

I gulped, wanting to dive in and get my fill, but this was important and for some reason, my conscience had chosen this moment to say what I'd been wanting to say since I stood behind her in line at the airport desk.

Gently, I removed her hand. "This is important."

Her demeanor instantly shifted, and she slammed her thighs closed. She thought I was rejecting her; I could tell by the stiffness that overtook her limbs as she moved away from me and up the bed to lean against the headboard, arms crossed. Yeah, she was definitely pissed.

"Don't be upset, lass. I've had something on my mind for weeks and… well, I've brought it up before and you'd said you think about it."

Luna gazed at me with confusion.

"Remember, I asked what you thought about staying here with me?"

Recognition dawned. "Yes. I remember."

"Have you reached a conclusion yet, lass? I have to ask, because for more than one reason, your answer determines what happens next."

"How so?"

I sighed, how could I say what I wished without revealing my hand? I didn't want to come across as a desperate idiot. Then it hit me, I'd been asking Luna to make a choice based on circumstances, without saying how I really felt.

"Luna, now that what you were running from is no longer an issue, I want to know if you'll stay with me. In other words. I want you, lass, in my life, for now and for always."

Her mouth dropped open in that perfect "O" I loved so much. "I thought you wanted me to stay because I was a Little in need. That's what you'd said before. I didn't know if you wanted me when I no longer needed your protection. With the threat gone, that means the parameters of our relationship have shifted, right? But you're saying you still want me?"

Her mind was jumping, so I decided to make it easy on her. Sliding up the bed, I cupped her chin and drew her mouth to mine, pouring every ounce of passion and love for her into that kiss and was rewarded when I felt her melt against me. When I pulled away, her pupils were dilated.

"I love you and I want you. Stay, and if not with me, at least in Scotland. I don't want you to leave. I'm a possessive man, lass, you've seen it firsthand. So if you stay, you're mine, Luna."

She looked like she was considering my words, until a huge smile split her face. "Of course I accept! I've wanted you from the first moment at the airport when you rescued me from falling. You've kept me from falling ever since and created a place for me to stabilize. I need that in my life. I need you, Artair. Unless you become a cheating bastard. Then I'm out of here." Her eyes danced with merriment, but I had no doubt she'd make good on her threat.

Not that it mattered, as we were on the same page. Cheating was not something I tolerated, and I expected the same respect in return.

Luna had nothing to worry about with me, as I planned on cherishing her the way she should have been cherished all along. I would step into all the gaps and help her become the best version of herself if that's what she wanted.

"Good. I'm glad that's settled. Now, over my lap." I wanted to laugh aloud at her expression. "Do you really need to ask why?" I chided.

Incredulousness morphed to humor and then desire. "No, Daddy." She bit her bottom lip and slid over my lap.

I brought my hand down on her perfect upturned bottom, loving my mark on her pale flesh. This wasn't about punishment, however, and I kept my pressure on the lighter side, as I focused on her sit-spots. The blood flow would soon penetrate, and she'd be squirming, looking for relief from the deep thrumming heat. I planned on giving her just that.