There was so much hate in the world, a need to become top dog no matter the circumstances. The few people able to appreciate the simple things in life were the lucky ones.
I moved into the hallway, waiting as Valentin closed the door, leaving it cracked in case Molly had a nightmare. At least she hadn’t recognized her daddy, forced to experience the loss for a second time. That was another thing I was grateful that Valentin had managed even amidst the carnage.
As I faced him, he took me into his arms, tenderly brushing his fingers down the side of my face. “You waited for me.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” he asked in his usual sultry tone.
“I know you have business to handle.”
“Nothing is more important than ensuring my girls are okay.”
His girls. It was the first time he acknowledged caring about us in such a familiar way. “Your girls, huh?”
“I do have responsibilities now.” He lowered his head, kissing my forehead. The he lifted my chin. “And I do take them seriously.”
I leaned in, clutching my fingers around his shirt, tugging as I rose onto my tiptoes. “I know you do. But I can take care of myself.”
He shook his head before crushing his mouth over mine, rolling his hand down the back of my head then fisting my hair. There was nothing like his scent, masculine, full of fresh timber and exotic spices. I was instantly lightheaded as the kiss became passionate, another reminder of our intense connection.
I parted my lips, encouraging him to sweep his tongue inside, taking as much as he wanted. The shiver remained, electricity exploding between us. Everything about the moment was special, the care he’d taken at making life as normal as possible after such a tragedy something I would never forget.
As I managed to slip my hands under his shirt, he growled into the kiss, pulling me even closer. Just touching his skin scalded my fingertips, my nipples so aroused they ached. In the thirty-six hours since the events in the park, he’d been forced to handle the aftermath, people constantly inside his house.
And I’d been forced to contact my family. There’d been no easy explanation that I’d taken a different path in my life, my father screaming at me for almost fifteen minutes. Then my brother had visited, insisting he see me.
Whether or not they would ever accept or understand that I’d fallen in love would always leave an ache in my heart, but I’d never felt so certain about my future as I did when I was with Valentin. Perhaps one day after time had passed, my family would come to understand that the ruthless deeds done by my man didn’t necessarily mean the person responsible was evil.
I knew better.
I’d witnessed the subtle yet powerful changes within Valentin in a little more than a week. There were some who said it took the right person coming into another’s life to allow change. There were critics who’d say I was a fool to allow the monster near my child, but I knew better. The man holding me in his arms had been prepared to die in order to save my daughter.
I couldn’t think of a better person to allow in her life.
Or mine.
His touch left me aching inside, the need increasing. As he pressed and rubbed the hard ridge of his cock against me, I almost lost balance, but his hold was firm, and I knew it would always be.
After breaking the kiss, he pulled me into his arms, cradling me against his body.
“What are you doing?” I purred.
He laughed softly, the tone as exciting as always. “I’m taking you to bed. Then I’m going to ravage ever single inch of you. And you will not deny me.”
“Mmm… We shall see.”
“Besides, we need to handle your disobedience.”
“I’ve been good.”
He stared down at me as he moved down the hallway to his bedroom. “Uh-huh. Let’s talk about the phone call you made to Christopher or the fact you managed to steal one of my soldier’s cars, following us to the park. That almost got you killed.”
“Oh, those things.”
I’d been frantic, allowing the chaos of the moment to fuel me, refusing to allow my daughter to be killed for some crazy vendetta. Keys had been left in a car, so I snuck off without thinking. It had been careless, reckless.
But I’d do it again.
“Yeah, those things. I think we need to establish rules.” As he moved inside the room, kicking the door shut and easing me down onto the bed, I squealed on purpose, trying to crawl away.
I knew he’d capture me, punish me.
And fuck me.
That’s exactly what I wanted.
And what I needed not just for now, but for the rest of my life.
Love came in many forms, the sweetest moments a reflection of what was truly in our hearts. The love I felt inside was strong, a bright shining star.
All because of the love and passion exuded from one incredible, dangerous man.