Christ, she tastes good.
When I held her against me and felt her smaller body tremble, it unleashed one hell of a desire in me to devour her. I couldn’t stop kissing her.
My eyes drift over the new outfit that makes her look both elegant and fucking adorable. While she loads the dishwasher, I say, “I hope you got more of those outfits.”
A grin tugs at her mouth, drawing my attention to her soft lips that taste like innocence and sweet moans.
Fuck, the little moans she made while I kissed her drove me wild.
Getting up from the stool, I catch her hand in mine and lead her to the garden so we can take a stroll. It’s becoming a routine after dinner, which I like a lot. It helps me relax.
Nearing the pond, I ask, “How are the koi doing?”
“Good.” Yuki glances up at me. “When I feed them the paste, they suck it off my hand. Want to see?”
“Sure.” I watch as she darts back into the house, the corner of my mouth lifting.
I love having the little shapeshifter in my space.
My thoughts return to what she said earlier. I was surprised because I didn’t expect her to be so open about her feelings. ButI’m glad. Now I know exactly where I stand with her and what she wants.
A future with me.
My smile grows as she comes rushing out of the house, excitement turning her cheeks pink.
Soon, my wife will have me wrapped around her pinky.
Yuki crouches by the pond, and after scooping some of the paste she just prepared into her fingers, she places her hand in the water. The koi come a little closer, and every few seconds, one darts forward to steal some paste before swimming away.
When they’ve cleaned her hand, she holds the bowl out to me. “Your turn.”
“They don’t bite, right?”
“No.”
I gather some of the paste as I crouch down beside her, and pushing my hand into the water, I brace for an attack. When the first koi takes a chance to steal a blob of paste, the others follow suit.
“It’s good for you to connect with nature,” Yuki murmurs. “Your soul needs it after the bad day you’ve had.”
“Yeah.”
Pulling my hand from the water, I pat it dry on my thigh while rising to my full height.
My thoughts turn to the shooter, and looking at Yuki, I worry that they’ll come after her. She’s the reason we came to an agreement with the Yakuza. Whoever’s behind the attack might think the deal will be nullified if she’s dead.
Not thinking, I grab hold of her shoulders and yank her to my chest. I engulf her in my arms and press my cheek against the top of her head.
Sucking in a deep breath, I get a lungful of her soft scent, something delicate and clean.
“I hate doing this, but you have to stay at home until I find out who’s behind the attack.” I pull back, and placing a finger beneath her chin, I nudge her so she’ll look at me. “I don’t want to risk your life.”
Her lips part, and when her eyes begin to shine with tears, worry pours into my chest.
“I was forced to risk my life every time I pretended to be my brother. You’re the first person who doesn’t want to put me in danger.”
Christ.
Thinking she will appreciate hearing it, I say, “You’re my redemption.” I move my hands to the sides of her neck and stare deep into her eyes. “And my wife.” The corner of my mouth lifts. “My little shapeshifter.” Leaning down, I press a tender kiss to her mouth, and I have to suppress the urge to devour her so I can say, “Your safety is my priority. I won’t allow anything to happen to you, and I will kill anyone who tries to come near you.”
