Page 12 of Mastered By Love

Dmitri turns my face so he can kiss me.“Do you trust me, Leah?”

“Yeah.”I don’t even have to think about it.

“Then come to Kinasey.”

Like it’s that simple.Like my life isn’t imploding all around me.

His gray eyes peer into mine, full of affection and a touch of worry.He wants this for me and he believes it will help.

Maybe itisthat simple.

I take a deep breath.“Okay.”

* * *

Dmitri

Leah smacks my ass as I unlock the cabin door.When I turn to give her a fake glare, she giggles.

“Oops.”Her eyes sparkle.“My bad.”

Her mood has improved considerably since we left the San Esteban city limits.The whole drive up here, I couldn’t stop stealing glances at her smile, at the light shining in her blue eyes as she watched the landscape change from the valley to rolling hills to the mountains.I’ve never felt so fucking lucky.

And now, as we bring in the groceries we bought along the way, she’s flirting with me?It’s heaven.

The last time Leah and I were both at the cabin, I spent the entire weekend with a hard-on.

This time might be similar.I don’t want to push anything with her, not when she’s freaked out over her newfound notoriety.

From the way she ogles me when we put away sandwich fixings, canned goods, and fresh produce, maybe I don’t have to worry about that problem.

“See something you like?”I drawl.

She flushes pink.“Nope.I was trying to see, um, into the cupboard.”

“Right.”I pack away the canned goods and dried pasta.We have enough fresh food to last three days, and enough nonperishables to last a whole week.Gage was cool about giving me a few days off.I talked to him while Leah packed.He told me to take as much time as Leah needs.

He sounded a little jealous.

I tried not to feel smug.

This trip isn’t about love or lust.It’s about keeping Leah safe.Giving her an escape.

“You’re fixing this, right?”I asked him over the phone.

“Of course I am.”

“Well, fix it faster.She’s doing better now, but it’s hard on her.”

His voice was steely.“I’m working on it.”

I didn’t push further.I trust the guy—at least, I trust him when it concerns Leah.He wants to take care of her as much as I do.

I turn to put the beer away and catch Leah looking at me again.She’s especially adorable this afternoon, in her yoga pants and T-shirt, her hair in two little buns at the top of her head.“All right, little girl.You need something.What is it?”

“Nothing.”She shakes her head.Her face is still pink.“I don’t need anything at all.”

She’s lying.