She hesitates. Looks down at her hands.
"For... this. For us. For letting it get messy while she’s out there trying to fix everything."
My jaw tightens, but I keep my voice steady.
"She’d want you safe. She’d want you happy."
A beat passes.
"I promise, she’ll understand."
Her gaze sharpens. "Will she?"
"She went through something similar with Viper."
Her head tilts. "Seriously?"
"Yeah. She got into a mess. Viper stepped in. Kept her safe. Never let go."
She goes still. Something softens in her expression.
"How does he treat her?"
I don’t even hesitate.
"Like she’s the only reason he breathes."
That lands.
The tension in her shoulders eases. She sets her spoon down and toys with the edge of her bowl.
“You think that’s possible?” she asks. “To be someone’s whole world without being their possession?”
I don’t even blink. “If it’s the right man, yeah. That’s not possession. That’s devotion.”
Her eyes flick up to mine. Whatever she sees there makes her suck in a breath.
“Nadia, you keep looking at me like that,” I warn, “and I’m gonna do something about it.”
She stands slowly. Walks to my side of the table. Climbs into my lap like she belongs there.
I grab her hips, steadying her.My shirtslips higher onher thighs.
“I was hoping you might,” she says, voice soft but sure.
“Careful, love. You’re playing with fire again.”
She smiles. “Then burn me.”
Fuck.
I stand, keeping her in my arms, and set her down on the edge of the counter.
“You trust me?” I ask, stepping between her knees.
She nods. “With everything.”
“Good.” I push the shirt off her shoulder and kiss the skin there. “Because I’m not going to be gentle this time.”
