rease, but it was actually beautiful in a rugged way. The ceilings were high with thick wooden beams, and a large st

a massive kitchen. He pulled out a heavy w

d. It wasn't

He was so big that he made the room look small. He pulled a pan onto the stove and started cracking eggs. The smel

trying to break the heavy silence. "This p

eggs. "No. I don't like strangers in my h

all this

. He turned around and placed a plate in front of

eggs and toast. "And I really need to get back to campus. I h

classes can wait. You're p

od was amazing. He didn't sit down with me. Instead, he pul

s, cooking me breakfast and quietly working. After a few minutes, the silence started to feel

kay, I'm done. Thank you for the breakfa

step toward the door. He didn't look angry, but his eyes were dark and focused. He rea

me down!

d placed me firmly back in the seat. He leaned over

s from mine. "I don't like repeating myself, Elena. Yo

re," I said, my voice trem

d a stray hair behind my ear. His touch was surprisingly gentl

ting. He was too strong and too stubborn. I picked up the fork and finished ev

ed over. He didn't take the plate. Instead, h

k down on the crate. He patted th

pped a beat.

t your wound. How

ll, I can't tell him that a strange man who is my p

, but I can do it m

dropping to that dangerous l

racing. I felt so small compared to him. He reached out and gen

still as he

deep," Kill

nd started dabbing the mark. I flinched at the initial sting, but then a

oos were intimidating, but he was being so careful wit

"One minute you're carrying me over your shoulde

eyes. His gaze was intense. "I protect what's mine,

rgued, though my voi

ing the mark and put the kit away. He st

large clock on the wall. "Please. I have t

ow at the sky. He looked like he wanted to say no, but then he si

than the ride to his place. I held onto him, my head resting against his b

own apartment. I felt like the world outside was full of people like Marc

nd waited for me to get of

or the break

to mine. "Don't think this means you'r

ven reply. I stood on the sidewalk, watching him d