The claim

Chapter twenty one

Ryker

"You live in this big house alone?''

This is not a house. this is an illusion. I want to tell her those words because, for the first time in my life, I want to be honest with someone. I haven't ever felt this way about Leighty and he is like a brother to me.

We are in the dining room.

There is food all over the table.

"I live with my butler,'' I tell her reminding her about Alumus. Alumus is my servant. He is bound to me, for as long as I need him, he will be here. He is the only one I was granted when leaving the heavens. Alumus is nothing more than the help to me—or at least that is how it should be but over the years, I have taken him under my wing, and losing him will be a loss.

He is the only one that actually understand me.

He is the only one that actually listens to me.

"How rich are you?'' she asks as she takes the fork into her mouth and starts to chew.

I watch her.

I am not even hungry but the minute she complained, I made sure to give her what she wanted.

This girl just came into my life like a storm and somehow crashed into smithereens. I don't know if there is a way I can go back from her and everything that she is.

"I am not rich,'' I smile as she continues to eat.

She is wearing one of my shirts. It is so big for her that her shoulders are exposed from the drop of the sleeve. This should feel like an invasion of my space. I have always liked my space. Having someone else in my territory is always alarming for me but in this moment with her, it is almost like she belongs here.

She rolls her eyes "I have never met anyone with a butler. I live in a three-bedroom apartment with my family and we all have to share a bathroom, so you are rich.''

We are on opposite ends of the table.

I want to be closer to her. I stand up from the chair and walk over to her, she is watching me with those beautiful eyes. I take a seat on the chair next to her and her smile widens "You were saying,'' I lean closer and this makes her giggle.

"You are a mystery Ryker,'' she calls my name.

I love it when she says my name. it almost feels like it belongs to her. I want her to always say my name. I don't want anyone else to call me that.

"I am an open book.''

She laughs "I literally didn't even know your name until last night. You intrigue me and the more time I spend with you, the more I want to know.''

"There is nothing special about me."

She scoffs "I doubt that.''

"I want to know you, Harley,'' I drawl out her name slowly. I am pouring out my heart now and I know that is not a good idea. there is a lot that will come from this "I want to know everything about you,'' I run my hand over her face and she closes her eyes.

I know everything there is to know about her but seeing it in a vision is not enough. I want to hear her voice. I want her to trust me, I want her to show me the vulnerability that she carries.

I want everything that she has and more.

I know this can't last.

She is going to die.

I shouldn't mess with her life but for the first time in my life. I don't give a shit about all that.

I want to embrace the consequences.

"What happened to this being just sex?" she raises her brow in question.

I see the hope in her eyes. She is feeding for the words. I know what she wants, I have known what she wants since the first day. I want to be what she wants.

"Was last night just sex to you?'' I quip.

My hand slides down her neck and to her collarbone, she moans as I touch her. "You have to answer love,'' I tell her as I slide my hand even lower until I feel her breast against my touch.

"Y..yh…yeah,'' she blurts out.

"Yeah?''

She opens her eyes when she realizes the answer, she gave me "I mean, no, it wasn't just sex.''

I know already but hearing those words from her is satisfying.

"Then why do you keep reminding me of our prior deal?''

My hands go lower and I grab her waist as I pull the chair closer to me. now she is in between my legs and her eyes are boring into mine. Fucking hell, who is this woman and why is she so addictive?

She bites her lips and my eyes stay fixed on her sexy mouth. "Stop doing that.''

"What?'' she asks me confused as she bites it even harder. Her lips redden and I watch her, already hungry for her body.

I rest my thumb on her lip, and she parts it open. Her legs spread as she moves even closer, I feel her heat. She belongs to me.

"You are mine Harley, even though you don't know it yet,'' I tell her not even giving her a chance to respond to that confession. Her eyes open wide in shock at my words as I smash my lips to hers in a hungry kiss.

I grab her from her chair and put her on my lap. She melts into my body and I let go of everything. I will not let anyone take her from me. she might be fated to death but I will change that.

I will keep her away from everyone.

She is mine.

Not Leighty, not the heavens, not anyone else.

I will not let anyone take her.

I will not let her die.

I will keep her here in my illusion and I will never let her go. This girl is mine.

Mine, mine, mine.