He smiles, like he’s been given the chance of a lifetime, before taking both my hands in his. “Don’t worry, pet. I am going to give you every spare moment of my days. We will spend every possible minute together until we are perfect once more. It will be easy. It is, after all, our destiny.”
I almost choke at how quickly this is backfiring. “B-but until then, you agree that it would only slow down our healing, if we’re intimate?” I stammer out, really hoping he doesn’t catch the panicked edge of my voice.
Leon releases one of my hands to stroke my cheek. “Of course. I’ve already told you I’d wait for you.”
I bite back my snarky reminder that he’s already threatened to break that promise, numerous times.
Eyes on the prize, Vivian.
“And, uhm, I think sleeping apart will help too,” I add, the gears in my mind spinning as I try to find a reason that Leon will accept.
His jaw ticks, and I’m terrified he’s already starting to suspect that my motivation is less than aligned with his.
“Distance makes the heart grow fonder!” I blurt, nodding like a deranged bobblehead. “We need the evenings to reflect. To think about our relationship, without the added, uhm – temptation.”
Leon is still frowning, so I keep rambling, desperate to make a compelling case. “Right, so the last time we slept together, things were heated, and uhm, our relationship was still broken. I won’t be able to reflect if you’re in bed with me. I need the space.”
His gaze heats at my mention of when we were intimate, but he nods like he understands. “It would be difficult to keep our hands to ourselves if we’re pressed together,” he concedes with a sheepish expression.
“So difficult,” I agree. “But it will take less time to heal us if we really commit to working on ourselves. We need to rebuild with a solid foundation this time.”
Leon sighs but ultimately releases me. “I suppose you’re right,” he notes, stepping away. “You’re always surprising me. Who knew my betrothed could be intelligent?” He smiles like he’s seeing me for the first time.
I flip through Cassandra’s memories, searching for the most painful way to kill someone, even as I give him a dainty shrug.
“Well, goodnight then,” I answer, giving him an awkward wave.
“Goodnight, pet.” Leon gives me a final, longing look before turning and heading to the door facing my bed – the one I assumed led to an ensuite bathroom.
It is not, in fact, a bathroom.
Is the universe punishing me for all the bad karma that Cassandra racked up?
Seems a little unfair.
Instead, Leon pulls open the door to reveal a second room, with an even larger bed, directly across from mine. My jaw drops, but I snap it shut before Leon turns to look back at me with an easy smile.
“Our quarters. You’ll eventually sleep in here with me, but I made sure you had your own space so you can prepare yourself for me every day. The connecting door doesn’t lock, since, of course, our bathroom is on my side.” His grin turns lascivious. “I look forward to seeing you every time you come into our shared space, pet.”
Chapter 7
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule seven:Shuthimout.
How do you sleep when there’s an unlocked door connecting your room to a deranged psychopath?
Simple, you don’t.
Leon’s room went silent ages ago, but I haven’t stopped eyeing his door like it’s a bear trap, just waiting to snap open and ensnare me.
This won’t work. He could open the door at any moment, and I wouldn’t even know it. Again, I desperately scan the room, trying to find something to lock it from my side.
Nothing.
Maybe I can grab a chair from the hallway to lodge under the doorknob? The floor is cold under my feet as I tiptoe over to the main door. It’s locked from the outside.
Rude.
