I sigh and run my free hand over my face. “Not a lot I can do about it now. I don’t have a time machine and I’m not a cyber guy.”
“Well, luckily for you, I have a cyber guy. Meet me at the usual place so we can discuss how you are going to pay me back.”
The line goes dead. Fucking jumped up little bastard. I slam the phone shut while imagining it is Nikolai’s smug face.
Gray’s dark eyes are staring up at me solemnly. Now I feel shitty for waking him up. This day just keeps getting better and better, and it has only just started.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble I’m causing,” he says softly.
He looks so dejected and sad. As if he thinks I’m about to jump up and storm out of the door and never come back. My heart twists. I could never do that. I kiss the top of his head and wrap my arms around him.
He was betrayed by the one he loved, chained to a bed, bought and sold, and raped for over a hundred years, and despite it all, he is still so damn sweet. Okay, he is a little crazy, but that’s to be expected. But he is clearly a kind soul, under everything. He wanted to help Lello. He was devastated about hurting Blue, which he only did to protect me.
People have been shit to him for a century, but he is still willing to give us a chance. He is still loyal, protective and caring. By all rights, he should be a bitter and twisted, vengeance-filled ball of hate and fury. But here he is, laying quietly in my arms, fucking apologizing.
It is all too much for my cold shriveled heart to bear. Gray is going to melt me into a pathetic pile of goo. And I don’t even think I mind.
“It’s fine,” I tell him.
Shit. That sounded gruff. I need to try again. “Are you okay?” Pathetic, but slightly better.
Gray nods, his large eyes fixed on me. “Will Blue forgive me?”
Oh gods, my heart can’t take much more of this. “I think so. He seems sweet,” I say.
Gray doesn’t look at all convinced by my words. If anything, he looks even sadder. I can’t stand it. Time for a distraction.
“I’m flattered you came to my rescue,” I grin.
A beautiful blush spreads across his cheeks. It’s the prettiest thing I have ever seen. My gaze drops down to his soft, plump lips, and I’m trapped. I can’t look away. Suddenly, I’m rolling us over, leaning down and capturing his delicious lips with my own. He tastes every bit as good as he looks. He moans softly and wraps his arms around my neck. I feel him softening beneath me. Melting and surrendering to my kiss. He is such a sweetheart. A dangerous, deadly, damaged, sweetie.
And he is mine. All mine. Mine to cherish, worship, and adore. Mine to protect and keep safe. I’m the only one he moans for. It is only me he submits to. I’m the one who pumps pleasure into his body and makes him come undone. Me and me alone.
I don’t understand how this has happened. But it has. Perhaps I have never cared for anyone before because they were not Gray. Perhaps he was made for me, and it has taken all these long lonely years to find him. Perhaps I would have found him sooner had he not been imprisoned.
A growl escapes me as I kiss him deeper. If only I had found him sooner. Then all the terrible and awful things he endured would never have happened.
I wish I had the power to undo them. I wish I could erase it all from his mind and kiss the scars away from his soul. But that power is not mine. The only thing I can offer him is myself, and my vow to never let anything bad happen to him ever again.
I hope it is enough.
Chapter twenty
Gray
Ilike watching Mal get ready. Sitting here, on the bathroom counter watching him slick back his silvered hair into a ponytail, is a quiet, simple pleasure.
He looks damn fine. A white shirt with pearl buttons, and well-tailored trousers. He is clearly a man who understands the power of appearance. Get it right, and you can bring a king to his knees.
Not that Mal is preparing to seduce anyone. He is getting ready to meet Nikolai, and Mal is dressing to show how powerful and dangerous he is. How he is a man deserving of respect.
“How do I look?” he asks.
“Wonderful,” I say.
He doesn’t turn his head from the mirror to look at me, but I can still see his pleased grin. It makes my stomach squirm.
“You sure you want to wear that?” he says.
