It’s a tease, one I finish off with a smile.
His finger presses against the curve of my lip before tapping the corner of my eye.
“Not true.”
“Hm?”
“Your smile.” He taps the corner of my eye one more time, “It’s not true.”
A heartbeat goes by as we stare at each other, heads separated only by the pillows between us.
It would not take much for a heart to fall for this man. For a woman to get lost in his bottomless eyes, nails disappearing through the thick strands of his hair.
It would not take much for a monster to crave the light he brings.
“Be careful, Devil. You’re starting to sound infatuated.”
Rolling out of bed, I force myself to look away so I’m not tempted to keep something so bright and beautiful for myself.
“Infatuated? Darling, we blew past that stage three hours ago.”
Footsteps patter against the hardwood as he follows me into the bathroom. Letting out a low whistle, he casts his eyes around the dark tiles and silver ornaments sparkling along the walls.
“Sometimes I forget how rich you are.”
“Not everything that glitters is worth keeping.”
Ronan lifts his head from his bed in the corner, the question echoing through his eyes.
Everything okay?
I nod and bend down to cuddle with my favourite boy. Christopher watches from a distance, his eyes hesitant as he watches me cherish the only good thing in my life.
“Don’t be shy. He only bites when I tell him to.”
He takes a tentative step forward, “Somehow, that’s even less reassuring.”
I wait until he’s close enough to take his hand and rest it on Ronan’s head. My baby growls, his teeth baring while I hush him gently.
“Remember the bad boy I was telling you about?” Smoothing Christopher’s fingers over his soft fur, I stroke him patiently, “He’s a part of the team now, so we have to be nice.”
A snort echoes beside me but I ignore it.
“See, baby? Nothing to worry about. Mama’s got you.”
Slowly, Ronan’s ears drop from their guarded position to a more relaxed one. It’s a sense of false security, a relaxed posture that doesn’t take away from the mistrust shining through his eyes.
Narrowed, focused and ready to change at the drop of a coin.
I plant on a kiss on my baby’s snout and climb to my feet. Letting the boys enjoy their playtime, I wander over to the jacuzzi built seamlessly into the tiled floors.
One press of a button starts a steady stream of hot water.
Another initiates the bubbles.
Two pairs of dark eyes watch me descend into the pool of rippling water, steam slinking off the surface and caressing myskin. It soothes the chill in my bones, covering old wounds with a temporary balm.
“Are you coming or not?”
