THE NEED FOR AN EXPLANATION

RALPH

My heart jumped into my stomach when I heard her voice by the door. It is not like I did not know she was the one knocking because no one else except my assistant could come to my room by this time. I realized that it was a surge of excitement. I was excited to see her. I cannot tell what was going on with me and why I was being a fool for this human who was likely my demise. I composed myself and asked her to come in.

I drank in her lavender scent as she entered, but I pretended to be unfazed while all I wanted was to wrap my arms around her and inhale every bit of her. I cautioned myself immediately, and my heartbeat spiked when her cheerful voice floated toward me in greeting. I could not even find my voice because everything this woman does surprises me. I have never lusted over a woman in centuries like I did this time. I knew I would get any woman I wanted, but I had put myself in bondage I did not realize then. Everything about her was endearing.

Instead