Page 72 of King of Malice

I choke on the emotion that rises in my chest. “I don’t want to see you hurt, sweetheart.”

“What happens if something happens to you? I’m an orphan, Dimitri. Anna needs to be protected, at the very least, I can help you with that.”

I stare at her at a complete loss for words. This woman…

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Ava

I heareverything Dimitri is saying, and I think I might even understand where he’s coming from.

But the color he’s brought to my life is now a rainbow I can’t live without. And loving someone is about loving all of them, the good with the bad.

That’s always been something I can do.

He’s not shaking me. I love Anna and I love him. I’m here for the long haul.

“Ava,” he pushes out, his normally honey voice sounding…broken.

It eats at me, that tone. Maybe I’ve got it wrong. Maybe tonight made him think that I’m not right for him. Maybe he’s decided he doesn’t want me.

My chin droops into my hand. If he doesn’t want me…

My life really would lose the color again, the idea of losing him twists in my side like a sharp knife. But also, I’d know that I was capable of seeing it, feeling it, and I’d be better for it. That doesn’t make me want him less. “Don’t say my name like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like it hurts you,” I whisper and then I start to roll away.

But he holds me firm. “It did hurt me to hurt you tonight. That’s my whole point.”

“Is it? Or is your point that you’ve decided you don’t want me?” I pull away then, rolling off him and onto my back.

But he rolls with me, his body hovering above mine in a plank position. “Dimitri.”

“Am I frightening you, love?”

It’s the love that makes me relax. The single word is full of so much concern that I reach my arms around his neck, putting pressure on his neck to make him lower himself. “No. I want your skin on mine.”

Slowly, gently, he lowers himself. “You’re sure?”

In response, I wrap my legs around his hips, pulling his body into the cradle of mine. “You don’t scare me, Dimitri. If anything…”

“What?”

“I feel safe with your body over mine. I’m home in your arms.” I look into his eyes, willing him to see the truth.

He must, because he leans down, his mouth covering mine, kissing me long and slow. “I’d never want to hurt you, milaya, but also, it’s my job to protect you and that might mean not being at my side. You’re safer away from me.”

I relax into the mattress, the tip of his cock nestling against my folds. “I’m meant to be at your side. Always.” I meant what I said about Anna. “Unless you need me to take Anna away. That’s different.”

He sinks inside me, holding my gaze. “You’d do that for me? For my daughter?”

“I’d do anything for you and for her. You’re my family,” I answer as he bottoms out inside me.

“I love you, Ava. You are my heart.” He devours my mouth even as he pulls out only to sink back in.

My whole body sings along with his, so I don’t answer until his mouth finally lifts. “I love you too.”