Page 98 of Deadly Knight

While I’m strong enough to walk away, I must. Because I’d rather lose him now when I’m still able to walk.

I love him enough to let him be the Bratva soldier he needs to continue being. To live a life that isn’t chasing the past. Exactly what his father wanted from me all those years ago.

Ironic.

He claims I’m running, and maybe I am. One of us has to, to protect the other. He’s done so much for me, and this is for him—his chance to grow and learn who he is without me being his shadow.

And me? It’s time to rebuild my walls again. Brick by brick, stone by stone, and reinforced with metal. And chains. Locks with forged keys.

I should tell him all this, and my mouth opens to do so, but the only sound that comes out is a long, ragged moan as his tongue flicks my clit.

My mind goes blank in acceptance of what he said—at least for now.

“You’re so deep in your head about what you shouldn’t want, you’re forgetting whatyou do. Besides, in your mind, it’s already complicated, so why not enjoy it?”

This is my ending.Ourending. We’ll either explode together…or explode entirely until we’re nothing but two broken, bloody hearts. Letting this play out could give us the more satisfying goodbye we never got the first time around.

He grips my other thigh with a growl that does things to my insides. One that reminds me exactly what I’ve been missing. The piece inside me no one’s ever been able to fill. With other men, I was timid, tainted by the past, and once again, stuck in what Ishouldhave been feeling: trauma and discomfort.

With Dimitri, it’s like the past—that night included—melts away, and we’re two teenagers again, so in love. In lust.

He throws my other leg over his shoulder until I’m entirely in the air, being supported only by his grip and the wall. In this position, his head is buried between my thighs, his tongue dipping inside my core.

“Fuck.” My hand grips his hair, keeping him exactly where I need.

He’s right. For now, fuck theshoulds.

He devours, nips, and sucks. His tongue fucks me in the way he knows I need. The way that drives me to be merely a mindless body for him to enjoy.

The build inside me is slow but steady—like a fire being ignited, fanned, and engulfing the area until there’s nothing left—and I come, stuck between shame and pleasure.

He mumbles something in our language I’m too senseless to comprehend. Language no longer exists for me. Rules.Shouldsandshouldn’ts. The only thing I can focus on is the pleasure from his tongue as it returns back inside me.

He pushes against my grip on his hair as the wave between my legs begins to ebb. He tips his head back to take me in, lips wet with desire, eyes dark and deadly like a predator’s.

“I’ve dreamed of your taste so many fucking times. If I could bottle it up, I would.”

He shifts away from the wall, and in a quick yet gentle movement, he spins, resting me on the floor.Myfloor. The floor of my old bedroom.

I haven’t fully processed the fact that Dimitri bought my childhood house. That he paid more than the listing, simply to set my family up in their new life.

He really has done everything for me.

And me…I’ve been a selfish bitch.

But I’m scared.

You’re protecting yourself.

Scared because I once thought we could have a happy ending, but the Bratva’s politics got between us. Even with his father behind bars, what could in the future, despite him being convinced it’ll be something he can handle?

I can’t fall for him again only to lose him in the future. It almost killed me once. It’ll obliterate me the next time.

Dimitri crawls over me, once again wiping away all the dark and grim thoughts pounding through my head. He grins before tracing his finger along my bra strap, the only article of clothing remaining on my body.

“You’re as responsive as I remember.”

“You’d know best. You’ve been stalking me.” It’s meant as a joke but comes out harsh, and I immediately regret it.