Dahlia
“The one inwhich I love you.”
Dahlia had tried not to think of his declaration, but his words lingered in her mind. They were like a treasure she could unwrap and revel in when her memories grew too dark.
She could deny him nothing.
Lia went to him, standing between his parted legs. Even sitting down, he was still tall. He held out his hand. Lia stared at it for a beat before realizing what he wanted. She dangled the pendant in front of his face.
“Sit down.”
She spun around and slowly sat between his bent legs, her back ramrod straight. She stifled a squeak when he looped an arm around her waist and drew her against him, his thick thighs bracketing her round hips. His warmth immediately chased away some of the chill.
Goosebumps broke out across her arms when he pushed the braid away from her neck. He lifted the necklace over her head, and the cool metal pendant settled beneath her collarbone. Littleshivers of pleasure skittered through her each time his fingers accidentally brushed her skin, securing the jewelry.
“Thank you,” she said in a hushed tone.
Every nerve in her body lit up when he brushed a kiss across the top of her spine, his lips lingering. It was a question. And Lia answered.
She tipped her head to the side, allowing him more access. He didn’t devour as she thought he would. Instead, he explored the contours of her shoulder, the slope of her neck, and even the hollow behind her ear. A soft moan floated from her lips, and she leaned back into his embrace, eyes closing. His hand slipped up her waist and cupped her breast before continuing its torturous ascent. He caressed the pendant and then gently clasped her throat. She arched against him.
Dahlia blindly turned toward him, her lips seeking his own.
“Open your eyes,jaivelle.”
She scrunched them shut tighter. If she didn’t, reality would come crashing down and ruin the moment.
“Please.”
Helplessly, she followed his command. What she saw in his face was too much.
Desire.
Sadness.
Regret.
Hurt.
Need.
And something that looked a lot like love.
What could he see in her own gaze? She wanted to look away, to hide from him, but she was trapped in the moment.
“We are bound, little human.”
An ugly truth she wanted to deny but couldn’t.
“I know,” she admitted. Even though she’d run from what she’d done, run from him, Lia had carried Neve everywhere withher. She couldn’t escape him. At some point, the gruff, cold frost giant had become part of her.
He rumbled in satisfaction, but his expression was dark. “But we are far from okay.”
Her voice cracked. “I know.” They’d both made mistakes, but she’d been the one to attack first. “Why is this part so easy?” she whispered.
“Because your body already knows it belongs to me. We just need to convince your mind now.”
He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. Things weren’t even close to being perfect, but maybe, just maybe, she could allow herself this. Lia kissed his thumb. His hips flexed, and her whole body shivered at his reaction.
