Terrifying.
“I should've told you.”
He finally takes one careful step toward the bed.
“I should've told you before I got you mixed up in all of this.”
Another step.
“I should've asked before claiming you.”
Claiming.
The word lands like lightning.
“You...”
I blink.
“You claimed me?”
He closes his eyes briefly.
“Yes.”
“The bite?”
Another nod.
“And...”
Heat creeps into my cheeks despite the roomful of strangers.
“The...”
I lower my voice.
“The sex?”
He doesn't look away.
“Yes.”
The desperation in his eyes is almost unbearable.
“Elsie...”
His voice breaks.
“I went about this all wrong.”
He comes another step closer, his hands raised in surrender as if he's afraid I'll tell him to stay back.
“But I swear to you...”
His eyes shine with emotion.
“I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if that's what it takes. I'll earn your trust. I'll answer every question. If you just give me a chance...”