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I pressed my palms to my temples, willing the teasingaway. “Okay, that’s enough. I don’t need a play-by-play of his other…interludes. Thank you very much.”
The last thing I wanted was to imagine him leaning close to someone else, tracing her jawline with his easy confidence. A hot twinge of jealousy flared in my veins, and the thought of murdering every one of them filled my mind.
I took a deep, centering breath and pushed those thoughts away.
Wow. I never realized I was so possessive.
I shifted, the fabric of my jeans bunching at my hips, and wondered if this constant fear of being handled too gently would ever fade.
Would he always treat me like I’d crack if he breathed too hard?
My pulse thundered. How could I show him I wasn’t fragile and could take the weight of his dominance?
And what if he refused to hear the real me, the parts of me burning with wild cravings I barely understood myself?
What if these restless urges never went away?
A soft rustle beside me pulled me out of my spiral. Avra’s dark brows drew together as she adjusted on her seat, her black curls brushing her shoulders.
“Did you tell him, Cali?” Avra asked in almost a whisper. “Does he know the details?”
“Yes, he does,” I affirmed. “He was very kind, listened, and never made me feel judged. Since then, he hasn’t changed. He’s genuinely delightful to be around. In all honesty, I can easily imagine falling in love with him.”
“Wow,” Avra said. “When did you realize all this?”
“The first day I met him, if I’m being quite honest.” I smiled at the thought of that first day. “I’d been so nervous. Cynical. Defensive. But as soon as he arrived, everything just seemed to fall into place between us. It was like meeting a long-lost friend.”
“That’s so sweet,” Laya said.
Avra leaned forward. “I wish you’d said something to us sooner. You could’ve avoided the Dominic disaster.”
“I don’t think I realized it myself until later,” I said. “It didn’t take long, though.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Avra smiled first at me, then at Laya. “I’m happy for all of us.”
“Look how far we’ve come,” Laya said as she lifted Constantine from the carrier beside her and hugged him close to her chest. “I’m proud of us and everything we’ve achieved.”
“Me too,” Avra agreed.
Their confidence was like a steady flame, and I yearned to be just as unshakeable. I watched them side by side, one cradling new life, the other leaning in to share my joy, and felt my heart swell. I could be this strong too.
They were both going to be amazing mothers, and I was happy to get to watch them raise happy little humans.
“Are you aware that Leon called Eli, Cali?” Avra asked.
“Did he?”
“Yes.” She rubbed her swollen belly. “He was asking about Elias’s father.”
“Why?” I whispered. My pulse thumped in my ears.
Avra’s gaze never wavered. “Leon told Elias he’s located Ozias.”
When Leon had asked me if I’d rather receive Ozias’s heart as a gift or cut it out myself, I wasn’t sure if he was being serious or not. But if he’d gone so far as to consult with Elias about it, then perhaps he was. A bolt of surprise echoed through me. Did he truly mean to cut out the man’s heart?
Laya raised an eyebrow. “What does he need Ozias for?”
I exhaled, tension rolling out of my shoulders. “He says it’s a wedding gift.”