Page 265 of The Morally Grey Billionaires Boxset

Solene

It’s too late. I’m going to die. I’m never going to be able to sing again. I’m never going to look into his eyes and see them blaze as he says—

“Solene, I love you.”

I snap my eyes open, and his gaze holds mine.

Blue, deep, intense, like I’m looking into the cold heart of hell.

.. or the frozen tableau of a bird caught in mid-flight.

I blink, and sparks of silver flare in their depths, then golden flares ignite.

A tear drop squeezes out from the corner of his eyes, joining the streak of dried blood on his cheek.

“Wha—” I raise my gaze to his forehead and take in the bandage over where his scar would be. My head spins. My throat dries. “You’re hurt?” I rasp.

“I hurt you more. I deserve this, and everything they did to me.”

“They—?” I lean back and notice he’s dressed in scrubs. Another bandage peeks out from the neckline. “What happened? Did you get into a fight?”

“Something like that.” One side of his lips quirks, but his smile doesn’t meet his eyes. He squeezes my hand, and that’s when I realize he has my palm clasped between both of his.

“I love you, Solene.”

I jerk back, pull my hand from his, and to my surprise, he lets go. I study his battered countenance. “This is going to play havoc with your movie.”

“They’ll accept me the way I am. Or not.” He raises a shoulder. “I don’t fucking care.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “But this is your dream movie. You’ve worked so hard for it, and if it fails, you have so much at stake.”

“The only thing that matters to me is you, and until you’re well, I’m not leaving your side.”

My heart feels like it’s filling my chest. I’ve waited so long to hear his words and yet, now that I am, I’m not sure I believe him.

He must sense my discomfort, for he rises from the chair then sits on the bed next to me.

He reaches for my hand, and I let him grasp it in his much bigger palm.

He raises it to his mouth and presses his lips to my knuckles. “I love you, Rabbit, and you know it.”

I flush, then turn away. “You don’t have to say that to me because you know I’m going to die.”

He freezes; his entire body seems to turn to stone.

He’s so still. Has he stopped breathing?

I raise my gaze to find his features wearing an expression of such anguish, my breath catches in my chest. I can’t look away, can’t unsee the desperation in his eyes, the hopelessness, the love.

The love. So much love. I squeeze my eyes shut. “Don’t—” I swallow. “Please, don’t.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to overwhelm you with my declarations, but I’m desperate, baby.”

I half laugh. “First, I see you cry. Then, you turn up with your face hurt—something I know is likely career-changing for you, and I know how much your career means to you. And now you say you love me. You have to admit, it’s a lot.”

He doesn’t reply; the silence stretches.

My nerve-endings crackle with the building tension.

Finally, I can’t stop myself from opening my eyes again.

I take in the expression on his face—this one so tender and filled with so much yearning.

And love. Again. Love. Love. Love. Love.

He may have said it. But seeing it on his face, in his gaze, in how he holds my hand… I know he means it.

“It’s not fair. You’re such a good actor, you’re convincing me that you’re in love with me.”

He winces, then lowers his chin, “I deserve that and more. I deserve every single name you call me and more. I deserve—”

“Us.”

He freezes, then slowly shakes his head. “You don’t have to do that. You don’t have to give in to me. I know I can be persistent and controlling and dominant and—”

“An alphahole.”

“And I’m sorry for everything but that last one.”

A-n-d there he is. A fierce rush of... pleasure? Need? Hope? All of it fills my chest. “Just as I was getting worried about you, too,” I murmur.

He raises his gaze to mine, and once more, those blue eyes which have always seen through me, and known me, and recognized me, capture mine.

“I’m still me. There’s no getting away from that. But I’m going to change for you. I’m going to make sure my actions show you how much I love you. That I can’t live without you. You’re my breath, my soul. My very being is you, and if you die, my soul will die with you.”

A tear slides down my cheek, mirroring the one that trails down his face. I tug on his hand, and he leans in until his nose bumps mine.

“I love you.” He looks between my eyes. “Only you. Always you. Forever you. Let me do this for you, baby, please.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Always. You’ll always have a choice, except”—his gaze intensifies—“when it comes to safeguarding your life, and when it comes to our bed.”

Oh my god. I choke out a laugh, and more tears roll down my cheeks.

He raises his head and kisses first one eyelid, then the other. “Your sight is mine.” He kisses my nose. “Your breath…” Then my lips, my chin, the pulse that flutters at the base of my throat. “Your breath is mine.”

He raises his head and looks deeply into my eyes. “Your body is mine, baby.” He reaches between us and cups the flesh between my thighs through the hospital gown. “Your pussy is mine. Your heart, your soul—”

He releases my hands and places his palm on my breast. “Your gorgeous tits, your very breath, your every thought, your hates, your discomfort, your stutter, your quick temper, your beautiful voice, your gorgeous eyes, your soft skin, your heart, your soul, your every touch. Your hopes. Your every dream. They are mine. Mine. Mine.”

His. His. His.

"You’re crazy," I say softly,

He nods. "For you."

My lips twitch. "And obsessed."

"Never claimed otherwise."

I squeeze my eyes shut, then open them. "This is insane. The doctors made it clear that the person donating the kidney has a more difficult time than the one who receives it.” I hold up my finger. “Reduced life-expectancy, for one."

"I’d rather lead a shorter life with you in it than a longer one without you. I’ve already told you that my life is nothing without you being part of it, baby. I live for you. To be with you."

"Then, there’s nerve damage, chronic pain—"

He raises a shoulder. "All of it is a small price to pay to see you well and happy. And on your feet."

“But you’re hurt.” I stare pointedly at the bandage that peeks up from under the neckline of his scrubs.

He scoffs, “It barely hurts. Nothing is going to stop me from donating my kidney to you.”

“The medics might say otherwise.”

“Like I’d let them.”

My lips quiver, and I manage to keep them from curving into a smile. "It’s going to mean your dream project is delayed," I murmur.

"Woman, haven’t you heard a word of what I’ve been trying to tell you? All that matters is you."

Once more, he brings his face close to mine, until we share breath.

"I thought working on this film and taking on this role—which could have finally made me the highest-grossing actor in Hollywood—was the culmination of all my dreams, but I was wrong. My most important achievement has been meeting you, knowing you, seeing you blossom into the incredibly talented artiste you are, watching the world recognize your potential, embracing my love for you. I have loved you from the moment I met you. You’re it for me.

You’re the only woman for me, baby. Since I saw you, there’s been no one else but you. It’s only ever been you."

Heat flushes my cheeks. His eyes are so clear, I’m drowning in them, and this time I won’t be able to— No, this time, I don’t want to save myself.

And because I know I hold power over him, I can’t help adding, "You sure you’re not saying it because you think I’m going to die?”

His breath catches, then he glares at me. "Never say that to me. There’s no life for me without you. I’m nothing without you. You’re my sun, my moon, and my stars. My complete universe. And I will never, ever let anything happen to you. I promised you, remember?"

Tears pool in my eyes, and heat spreads to my chest, my stomach, my feet, until all of me is tingling with sensation. "You take your promises seriously, don’t you?"

He nods.

"You’re a stubborn figlio di puttana."

He chuckles. “Only you can call me a son-of-a-bitch and make it feel like you’re singing me a love song.”

I huff. “You really do love me?”

He nods. “Even before I met you. I just didn’t know it then.”

A giddy sensation spins around in my chest, my head, at my pulse-points. I’ve turned into a kaleidoscope of hope, of faith, of a trust that, finally, things will turn out all right.

He reads my thoughts because, of course he does. “It will, I promise.” He brushes his lips over mine. "I love you, baby. I’m doing this for you. For us." He plants his arms on either side of me on the bed. "This is a non-negotiation. The deal is done. I’m giving you my kidney; end of discussion."

I hold his gaze, then reach up to touch the scar on his forehead. "I really am sorry for what my brother did to you."

"No more apologizing, baby. That part of our life is over; done with. The most important thing now is your health. To get you back on your feet and fully functional. Then in my bed, with your legs spread wide open, and your tight, pink pussy ready and willing for all the things I want to do to it."

I roll my eyes. "And you were doing so well."

His smile widens. "So, it’s decided?"