I do as she asks. And I can’t help the chuckle that escapes me, because I’ve never felt more claimed in my life. Which issomething I never thought would happen. And I love it. I love her.
Lily’s Bodyguard.
The words are stitched in elegant, italic script.
Something warm and fierce blooms in my chest. “I love it,” I say, and I don’t even try to hide the emotion roughening my voice.
I pull it on, the fabric fitting perfectly, like it was made with me in mind. I turn so she can see the back, watching her reaction over my shoulder.
“It’s perfect,” she breathes. “And it fits you so well.”
I turn back to her, closing the distance between us. One step. Then another.
“It seems you know me pretty well, baby,” I murmur, dipping down to steal a kiss.
She smiles against my mouth. “I want to know everything, Drago,” she whispers.
“You will,” I promise quietly.
I pull back just enough to look at her, grounding myself again. “Now,” I say lightly, “food. Are you good with the menu?”
She grins, already reaching for her leggings, eyes never leaving mine as she shuffles into them. “What flavor of ice cream?” She asks.
“Strawberry,” I tell her.
That smile appears. The soft one. The happy one.
“The one from Monaco?”
I chuckle. “No, baby. That flavor had a lot to do with the place. But this one’s good. I promise.”
“Okay,” she says, pushing her hair out of her face.
She hesitates, then looks at me, almost shy. “Can we watch a movie too? On the couch? Like a normal couple?”
Something tightens in my chest. Not in a bad way. In a way that matters. “That sounds perfect, Lily.”
I lace my fingers through hers and lead her downstairs, ready to be the most domesticated man I’ve ever been.
Cooking dinner. Eating ice cream. Watching a movie. With the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.
I've got Lev's tracker notification on loud; we're safe for a while longer. I hate that I have to take some of my mind away from Lily to watch for her father. But it's temporary. This won't be for much longer.
And for tonight, at least, the weight of the world outside these walls doesn’t feel quite so heavy.
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
Lily
“Do you have to go to work today?” I sigh, resting my head on his pec.
The weight on my chest is heavy today. A day every year I dread. I keep hoping maybe this year might be different.
I’m happier. I’m safe. Surely that should be enough to keep the anxiety at bay.
The back of his hand drifts along my cheek. “I only have a meeting to go over the details for the peace talk on Friday. I won’t be long. I promise,” he whispers.
I let out a breath. Okay. He won’t be gone for long. I can deal with this.
