Escaping The Beast: A Darkhills Romance (The Darkhills Series Book 2) by Elizabeth Greene (young adult books to read TXT) 📕

soft circles over her exposed behind, “and were you aware that reprimanding wayward and testing young women, such as yourself, is one of my favourite pastimes?” He cocked a brow and raised his hand from her backside.

“Young women ‘such as myself’?” Katherine growled at him, “only myself,” she corrected, eliciting a rumble of laughter from him before he swatted her behind playfully.

“You have my word,” he chuckled.

“That’s better,” She preened smugly before nestling back into his chest.

“Whatever shall I do with you?” Lucian said indulgently as he continued to stroke up and down her spine.

“We already discussed this,” Katherine murmured, happy to let sleep take her this time, “love me forever.”

“And I shall Katherine, for the rest of time.”

With a soft sigh, Katherine drifted off into a safe and contented sleep, knowing that when she awoke Lucian would be there by her side.

Epilogue

Lucian

Lucian put his phone down on the kitchen counter and rubbed at his temples.

“What’s wrong?” Katherine spoke up from where she sat perched on one of the bar stools, licking syrup from her fingers.

They’d slept snuggly in each other's arms until hunger had woken Katherine and he had insisted she eat before they continue with their amorous reconciliation. She had pouted and tried to persuade him otherwise until he offered to make her pancakes. He had never seen a human move as fast as she had jumping out of bed and pulling on one of his shirts.

He glanced up from the kitchen counter to take her in. She was glorious; a mussed-haired, sticky-fingered, flushed-faced image of perfection. He loved seeing her in his shirts. If he had his way, she would dress like that all the time while relaxing at home with him, if clothes were necessary at all.

Despite the reservations and concerns he had, he couldn’t deny the sheer joy that overwhelmed him at having her by his side. A partner that would be with him for always, to love and to challenge and tantalize. She gave as good as she got and he loved it. He loved her. It was as simple and perfect as that.

He stood upright and strolled around to where she sat watching him. He thought about dismissing what was on his mind but thought better of it. He had someone to share these things with now, and he had promised her honesty.

“I need to make arrangements for the medical care for my man.”

“Mr. Jones? Is he alright?” Katherine’s eyes widened with concern.

Lucian’s heart warmed even further. His beautiful darling had formed an odd attachment to the old man, one that he found endearing and charming. Whether his manservant knew it or not, Katherine had decided the two of them were going to be friends, and that was that.

“No, darling; Mr. Jones is perfectly well,” he reassured her, bringing her fingertips to his lips and sucking on the sweetness that still lingered there, “I mean  Mr. Benson Pines. He was tasked with shadowing your father to ensure he kept his side of the deal. Your father knew he was being watched and arranged for him to be attacked by some associates of his.”

“Oh my God,” Katherine drew back her hand and covered her mouth, “is he alright?”

“He is a bear shifter, very robust. I believe your father’s associates came out of the altercation in a worse state. That being said, Mr. Pines has requested a term of leave from his contract to attend to some family business. He is checking into a nearby hospital upon my orders.”

Katherine frowned, “I mean, I’m sure it’s best that he get checked out, but can you really order him to go to the hospital?”

“There were strict terms within his contract that demand he seeks immediate medical attention should be injured while in my employment,” Lucian shrugged, “he wants to get paid, so he’ll see a doctor.”

“You write in health and safety conditions into all your contracts, Lord Nightingale?” Katherine raised a teasing brow.

“I do indeed, any decent employer would.”

Katherine wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.

“Aww, my dark and deadly vampire cares.”

Lucian chuckled.

“Don’t tell anyone. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

Katherine giggled and lifted her head to look up at him. She seemed to glow all over, happiness radiating out from her eyes. It was an infectious and weightless feeling that shone a light into every dark recess of his soul, making the shadows flee. Just as he bent to kiss her, his phone began buzzing on the kitchen counter.

Katherine smirked when Lucian rolled his eyes and then had the audacity to place a finger on his lips, halting him from taking her mouth regardless of the interruption.

She peered over his shoulder at the phone, her smile dropping from her face. She wriggled out of his hold and snatched up the phone to answer it.

“Lucian we need to talk. I’m on my way-” the commanding and urgent voice of the Darkhills Alpha immediately came down the line.

“Cayden, I’m so sorry,” Katherine cut in over him.

There was a pause on the line.

“Katherine, you OK? Is Lucian alright? What the Hell happened?”

“I’m fine, Lucian is fine. We’re more than fine,” Katherine explained with a blush of embarrassment, “I’m so, so sorry for tricking Rose and taking her car. Is she there, can I talk to her?”

Lucian raised an amused brow. His beautiful, tenacious darling had managed to sneak out on the Alpha and had stolen the Luna’s car in order to get to him.

“She’s not with me, she’s back at home,” Cayden huffed out, “you two can make amends soon enough. Be warned she has plans to put you on wedding prep duty.”

“Oh,” Katherine’s mouth popped open in surprise. Her eyes filled with some unknown emotion. “I... I would actually really like that.”

“You say that now, you wait until you’ve folded your two hundredth napkin,” Cayden huffed, “is Lucian there? I need to speak to him.”

Katherine immediately handed the phone over to him and Lucian placed a