Page 21 of Ours (The Possession Duology #2)

Holy shit! You have no clue what lovemaking is!

You only know how to fuck and she’s far too exhausted for that, Demetri criticized.

I, on the other hand, know exactly what to do.

..if you let me step in for just an hour, I’ll make her so satisfied, she won’t even think of putting up a fight when you get ready to leave.

“Fuck that! She’s mine!” he hissed.

Of course she is. I’m not debating that. I’m the one that let you keep her, remember? Demetri replied.

“Then why do you want her?” he asked, glaring at his mirrored face.

Because it will benefit us all, Kade. Think about it for just a second, alright? She wants this, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked. You want this because you know it will clear your conscience...and I want this...well...we both know why.

“How can I be sure you won’t hurt her?” he asked.

Well, I suppose you can’t. My track record isn’t the best, I admit, but she’s good for you. She’s good for us. I want to keep her around, Demetri said truthfully.

Staring at his own image, Kade struggled with what he should do. He was dumbfounded over the fact that he was actually giving his alter’s idea a second thought.

You know I’m right. Forget our history...forget our rivalry...don’t you want her to feel good, tonight? To feel loved? Don’t you want her to finally realize that you belong to her as much as she belongs to you?

“Yes,” he admitted.

Then give me an hour with her, Demetri said, knowing he was on the verge of getting his revenge. Just one hour and we’ll be even. You have my word, Kade. I won’t hurt her or the baby.

Narrowing his brown eyes, he carefully weighed Demetri’s offer.

There was a chance that he was lying to gain control; he knew damn well that his alter was feeling itchy again.

It was a chance he needed to take, though.

This would wipe all their slates clean. And while he hated to admit it, she deserved the attention he knew Demetri would give her.

It sickened him to no end, but for once, his alter was right.

“We’d be even?” he asked.

Even steven, Demetri replied. I’ll stay hidden away until you need me, again.

Hunching his broad shoulders, Kade growled in frustration. He couldn’t believe he was agreeing to. He must really love her to put her needs before his own.

“You have one hour.”

...

Wiggling her body towards the center of the king-sized bed, Lexi yanked the hair tie from her ponytail and raked her hand through her tangled locks.

She knew she looked like a frumpy whale wearing Kade’s t-shirt instead of one of the many silk nighties hanging in the closet, but she couldn’t care less.

His cotton V-neck was comfortable and large enough to cover her stomach. It was a win in her book.

Crawling under the plush comforter, she allowed herself a moment to process the day’s events. She didn’t understand why the universe continued to throw vicious curveballs her way. Perhaps it was karma for all the evil things she had done over the past decade of her life.

“You know...you’re the only good thing I’ve ever done,” she said, looking down at her pronounced stomach.

“I’ve always hoped that someday, I would have a daughter.

Shocking, I know...especially because I’m not exactly the girliest girl.

..but it’s true! I’m so excited to put you in frilly dresses and have tea parties with you.

I’ll teach you how to sing and how to make chocolate chip cookies.

God. I’m so happy that you’re mine. I hope you believe me.

I promise you that I will be the best mommy I can be.

I’ll protect you and love you in the ways that I wasn’t.

I swear to you that I will. I swear it.”

Nudging open the bedroom door, Demetri slowly entered holding a pint of ice cream in one hand, and a jar of pickles in the other. Honing his warm brown eyes on Lexi, he leaned his head to the side.

“What do you swear?” he asked, walking towards the bed.

Lifting her gaze to Kade, she gave a tiny shrug of her shoulders. “Oh, I was just telling our daughter that I’ll do my best with her.”

Climbing onto the mattress, Demetri carefully scooted his large form towards her. For a split second, he almost felt guilty for stealing this moment from Kade. Almost.

“Of course you will. You’re going to make a wonderful mother. I couldn’t ask for a better role model for her,” he said honestly.

Surprised by his statement, her mouth fell open in disbelief. She honestly never expected him to ever say that to her. It was probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her, but she didn’t buy it. How could he possibly believe she was a good role model?

“Truly?” she asked, eyeing him critically.

“Absolutely,” he answered without skipping a beat. “Just think about it, Lexi. You’re strong and intelligent. You’re resourceful and resilient...you’re kind and—”

“But I’ve killed people!” she exclaimed.

Letting out a breath, he moved in close to her. He admired that she still had a conscience, but hated how it lowered her self-esteem. She had the ability to be great, it was a pity.

“Well, technically, you haven’t,” he replied. “But besides that, every single life taken was one that didn’t deserve to be here—”

“Leo did!” she said, narrowing her green eyes. “He was a good man and—”

“That was different, Lexi. That was a situation beyond your control. You did what you had to do to survive. To make sure that our daughter survived. Try not to dwell on it. Nothing can change the past, it’s best to let it die,” he said, knowing he needed to distract her from her dead husband.

“Now, let’s go back to your question. Do I really think you’ll be a good mom?

No, I don’t think you will be...I know you will be. ”

Pulling her lower lip between her teeth, she let his words sink in. He was right, it was time for her to let Leo go. She had made the correct decision at the slaughterhouse. She did what she had to in order to keep her daughter alive. Exactly what any good mother would.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft.

“Yeah, of course,” he replied, giving her a sweet smile. Wanting to distract her from the heavy topic, he lifted his hands and shook the ice cream and pickle jar in front of her face. “So, little mama. Are you hungry?”

Looking at the snacks he brought, she couldn’t help but laugh. It was so cliche. “Pickles and ice cream...really?”

Shrugging his broad shoulders, he plopped the containers on the bed next to her thigh. “What? I thought all pregnant women craved them?” he said, pulling a spoon from his back pocket.

Shaking her head, she smirked at him before taking the spoon. He seemed so genuine in his answer, she had to give him credit for the effort.

“Perhaps separately but not together. At least I haven’t, so far,” she said, grabbing the pint of ice cream. “Ooh! Cookies and cream, my favorite!”

Picking up the pickle jar, Demetri leaned over and placed it upon the nightstand. He could’ve sworn that every pregnant woman sustained themselves on a diet of pickles and ice cream. Ah well, live and learn.

“Do you want me to run back into the kitchen and grab some gummy bears?” he asked.

Scooping out a spoonful of ice cream, she felt her heart skip a beat. She was equally creeped out and turned on. Only those closest to her knew about her need to have gummy bears with her ice cream. Especially after a particularly awful day.

“I would say yes, but I don’t really want to waste what time we have left together,” she said, giving him a tiny grin before taking a bite from her spoon.

Carefully moving his body behind her, Demetri gently placed his hands on her slim shoulders. As soon as his fingers touched her, he felt a spark radiate between them. He wondered how the rest of her body would feel beneath his touch.

“Good. I don’t, either,” he replied. “May I rub your back?”

Swallowing her mouthful, she shivered under Kade’s touch.

Glancing over her shoulder, she froze for a moment as she caught the loving look on his otherwise hardened face.

She didn’t fully understand why he was acting so sweet to her all of the sudden.

Maybe there was a chance that he wasn’t a complete monster, after all?

“Please?” she asked before turning her attention back to her ice cream.

Snickering to himself, Demetri slowly began to work his large hands across her back. Inching his warm touch, he kneaded his fingers into a large knot under her right shoulder blade. “You’re holding onto too much stress.”

Lexi snorted, the knee jerk reaction almost causing her to choke on her dessert. Coughing down the ice cream, she slapped her open palm against her chest and let out a strangled laugh.

“Really? Gee, I can't imagine why!”

Joining in with a laugh of his own, he continued to move his fingers down her spine until reaching the hem of the cotton shirt resting at her waist. Gliding his hands under the fabric, he smoothed his palms over her bare skin. It was good that she could find some sort of humor in the situation.

“Well, please try to relax tonight.” he said, tenderly massaging her semi-tense muscles.

“Any idea on how I can do that?” she asked flirtily, dropping her spoon into the half-eaten tub of ice cream.

Leaning down, he gently pressed his lips against the shell of her ear. He was a little surprised that she was making things so easy for him, but he wasn’t going to complain. “I can think of a few things,” he whispered hotly.

Licking her lips, Lexi felt her heartbeat quicken in excitement. How did he have the power to turn her on with a single sentence? She was always at a disadvantage against him. It wasn’t fair.

“Tell me,” she said.

Nuzzling her ear lobe, Demetri hummed as his fingers continued to dance along her soft skin. Before long, he felt her flesh pebble beneath his touch.

“Well...I could eat that pretty pussy of yours,” he suggested, pulling her lobe between his teeth.