Page 100 of Blood Day

And maybe I had to an extent.

Just not for the reasons she’d described.

Lily’s lips brushed mine, her eyes holding a myriad ofquestions that she couldn’t seem to voice. So she responded with her mouth, kissing me for the first time.

Oh, she’d returned my embraces with passion in the past.

But this was the first time she’d taken a kiss for herself.

The first time she’d demonstrated an interest that went beyond her regular training.

I let her lead, my lips responding to hers with the same gentle stroke. I’d told her this shower was for her, and I’d meant it. This was my version of an apology, a way to start over and create our own beginning.

All my cards were on the table.

All my truths.

Whatever she wanted, I’d give her.Except for death. That I would never bestow upon her. But I would kill for her if she asked me to.

This obsession was borderline toxic, the lengths I would go to for her edging on suicidal.

I’d dreamt of stealing her before Blood Day.

I’d dreamt of claiming she’d died, then keeping her for myself.

I’d dreamt of running away with her.

But they were all fantasies that could never come to fruition.

Silvano would find me. Then he’d take out his anger on her rather than me, while forcing me to watch. And I could never subject her to that fate.

Lily pulled back, her pretty irises more blue than green now. “I don’t understand you.”

My lips curled at her admission. “How about we play a game?” I suggested, my hands sliding from her cheeks to her neck. “You can ask me whatever you want while I wash your hair. And I’ll answer every question.”

Her expression had immediately turned wary at mymention of agame—a term I belatedly realized wasn’t the best to use in this situation. And that wariness had quickly melted into suspicion after my explanation.

Her gaze narrowed as she asked, “In exchange for what?”

“I get to touch you.” I shrugged. “That’s all I want.” I reached up to tug on a strand of her hair. “I won’t even make it sexual. I’ll just take care of you while you ask me questions.”

Because this was for her.

I would merely benefit from having her here.

She swallowed, her expression telling me that she didn’t believe me at all. But her training kicked in as she nodded. “Okay.”

Part of me wanted to push for a stronger acceptance. However, it would be more prudent to prove her wrong.

So I would.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back beneath the water. “Stand over here,” I instructed, showing her with a gesture where I wanted her. Then I went to the corner shelf of the shower to find some supplies.

She did as I asked, her bottom lip catching between her teeth as she observed me.

I stayed quiet, allowing her to think as I returned to set the bottles on the floor beside her. When she didn’t speak, I busied myself by running my fingers through her hair once more and ensuring her strands were damp enough.

It wasn’t until I gently pushed her a step forward that she finally asked, “You left the university?”