I turn toward him, my heart pounding. “Do you want to know why I was searching for it?”
“I would.”
“Because I thought it would make me feel less alone,” I say softly. “A reminder that someone out there was protecting me. That I was safe. It wasn’t quite right, but it was close enough to pull me out of my nightmares when my mind spiraled.” I swallow. “But now I know… it wasn’t the scent. It was the man who held me.”
His breath hitches. “Thank you for telling me, lastochka.”
“You’re welcome.”
He glances at me, eyes dark with emotion. “Do you still have the version you thought was close?”
I grin, reaching into my purse and pulling out the tiny sample. I spray it lightly between us.
He inhales deeply, then laughs. “Fuck, Lily. You werereallyclose.”
My eyes widen. “Seriously?”
“You just needed a touch more sandalwood,” he says thoughtfully. “Tone down the vanilla. And add citrus.”
My mouth drops open. “I knew it was citrus.”
We laugh together, and something inside me finally settles. That deep, quiet sense of being home.
“So,” I tease, “is it easy for you to order more of that aftershave?”
A smirk curves his lips. “Yes, baby. My contact in Monaco makes it.”
My stomach flips. I have Drago now—I don’t need the scent. But damn, he smells incredible wearing it. “When we move there one day,” I say lightly, “can we order loads of it?”
He threads his fingers through mine. “Anything your heart desires, Lily.”
I lean over, resting my head against his arm, comforted by his presence. There are still a million questions swirling in my mind, but one rises above the rest.
“Have you ever seen me with another guy?” I ask.
His body stiffens instantly, making me laugh. “No,” he says flatly. “Because I would’ve killed him. Ihaveseen you go on dates, though.”
I bite my lip. “Have you ever stolen my panties?”
He grins. “No. I stayed away. Remember?”
“Hm.”
“I did steal a vibrator once,” he adds casually. “When you asked me to go back to your place for your crystals. So technically it was only after you knew who I was.”
I sit up, mock-offended. “Drago.”
He laughs, tapping the steering wheel. “Relax.”
I watch him drive, my fingers trailing slowly along his thigh. “Did you… Get yourself off holding it?” I murmur.
A low groan escapes him. “Yeah. I did.”
Heat coils low in my stomach. “Did you put it in your ass?” I whisper.
He chokes on a cough. “No.”
I giggle, working my hand higher up his thigh. “Did you think about me when you came?” I purr.
