Gentle Scars (To Be Claimed #2) Read Online W. Winters, Willow Winters

Categories Genre: Fantasy/Sci-fi, Paranormal, Romance, Shape Shifters, Vampires Tags Authors: , Series: To Be Claimed Series by W. Winters
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Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
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It’s too much. Too soon.

The door creaks open and I turn stiffly to see Devin. The sight of him causes me to take in a sharp inhale; his shirt is stretched tight across his broad shoulders and it’s covered with blood. His stern expression softens as I run to him with concern.

“Devin.” I can barely do anything but whisper his name. “Are you—” He takes my hands in his, keeping me from reaching out to him.

“Don’t touch, sweetheart.” He gives me a small smile, seemingly pleased with my worried expression. The worry is all-consuming. “I’m all right.”

“What happened?” I clasp my hands together in front of me to prevent myself from running my hands over his body in search of the wound. All the while my heart races.

“It’s not mine.” I take a hesitant step back.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s taken care of,” he says, his tone casual as he walks past me to enter the bathroom, stripping down as he goes. I’m left speechless at the door.

I’m stunned only for a moment before anger creeps in.

This is exactly what I’m talking about. I need to know what the hell’s going on and Devin doesn’t tell me a damn thing. Gritting my teeth, I stalk after him and shove the already cracked door open. It bangs against the wall, which gets Devin’s attention as he steps into the shower. Good. He glances back and raises his brows, but continues to walk into the stall.

“Why don’t you tell me anything?” Tears prick at my eyes and I wish they didn’t. It’s not fair that I get so damn emotional and he seems completely unaffected.

“Why are you upset?” He motions for me to join him after he lets the spray flow down his hard, tight body. My eyes glance down involuntarily to his thick cock and I close my eyes, wishing this godforsaken heat would leave me. The sight of his naked, wet body makes my core heat. I stifle the moan threatening to rise up my throat.

“You don’t play fair,” I murmur with my eyes still shut. He gives a low chuckle, and it’s followed by the sound of him walking toward me. His large hands gently tug my shirt up and I help him accomplish his task by raising my arms. With a sigh I open my eyes to find a small smile playing at his lips. His silver eyes are full of devotion as he leans down to kiss me chastely. I part my lips and lean into his touch, but he nips my lower lip, causing me to gasp as he pulls back.

“What did I do to upset you?” After a moment of letting his words sink in, I shake off the lustful haze and square my shoulders.

“You don’t tell me anything.” As the words leave me, I realize I sound like a petulant child. I wish I could take them back and start over. It seems I’ve been thinking that far too often recently.

“That’s not true. I answer every question you ask.” His brow furrows in confusion at my statement.

I stop myself from yelling in an effort to have a civilized, adult conversation. “Then whose blood is on your shirt?”

“You don’t need to know that.”

Well, fuck the adult conversation. As I step closer to him, I shout, “This is what I’m talking about, Devin.”

“If I don’t want you to worry about things, then I’m not going to tell you. That’s final.” His voice is even and full of authority. Power radiates around him, but I ignore it as my heart clenches in denial.

“I can’t do this. I can’t be in the dark about things and stay shut away pumping out babies for you.”

His forehead pinches. “Is this about having my pups? Do you not think I’m a good enough mate? That I won’t be a decent father to our children?” His eyes betray the emotionless mask he wears. They’re full of pain and doubt.

I second-guess my conviction at his obvious insecurities.

“I never said that, Devin.” I try to ease some of his hurt before I realize he’s changed subjects. “And that’s not what I’m talking about. You don’t tell me things unless you think I need to know them. Which isn’t fair. I know nothing about all this. It’s even worse because I was led to believe lies before.” My hands wave chaotically in the air and I huff in frustration. “Why the fuck is there blood on your shirt?”

“Why don’t you trust me?” He steps closer to me and I instinctively take a large step back. My back hits the wall, making me jump at the sudden contact. “Are you afraid of me?”

I shake my head and answer evenly and immediately, “You intimidate me, but I know you won’t hurt me.”

He steps closer and gently lifts my chin to kiss me. His forehead rests on mine as he closes his eyes and whispers, “Never. I’ll never hurt you.”


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