“You’re not answering my question,” I grit out, growing hot in the face. “And you’re making this extremely awkward for me.”
She chuckles, kissing my head. “I’ll stay as long as you want me to.”
Everything that’s been knotted so tight inside my stomach and throat fordayssuddenly lets loose. I grab her waist and pin her to the mattress, climbing over her.
I cradle her face, my thumbs brushing damp remnants from her cheeks. I drink her in. Every tiny freckle, every eyelash, every stubborn glint still alive in her eyes.
Dipping my head, I kiss the tip of her nose. My chest feels too tight, too full, like my ribs can’t contain the feelings that’ve been growing there since day one.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I love you so much, hellcat. I never thought I’d want to settle down and change my life so profoundly until I saw you... and now I want you forever. I don’t care what it takes. I’ll do anything if it means I can keep you safe and happy.”
Her breath stutters. For a second, I think she’ll look away, pretending not to hear, but she doesn’t. She lifts one hand, ghosting her fingers along my jawline.
“Say it again.”
I press my forehead to hers, breathing her in. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Koby... and tomorrow, when it’s all over, we’ll plan our forever.”
I kiss her hard, desperate, like I can seal those words and that promise if I just hold on tight enough.
37
Leilani
Ipace in front of the mirror, whispering to myself as the clock ticks away, inching closer toward nine pm.
“You can do this. You can do this. You can do this.”
Octavius arrived shortly before lunch, with his two favorite bodyguards, and save for a curt nod my way, he pretended I didn’t exist while we dined.
I guess he wasn’t in the mood to start a fight.
Blaze dismissed me once the staff cleared the table, and I’ve been locked in the guest bedroom ever since, wondering if Octavius might visit and taunt me about Anton.
So far, so good.
In fact, it’s such smooth sailing it makes me nervous.
I worried that Octavius would ask about my time here. I worried that he’d make inappropriate comments. Try telling me how Anton’s doing or when his punishment might be over, but he took one look at me and seemed satisfied with my condition enough not to press the issue.
I stop pacing long enough to scrutinize my reflection for the fifth time in the last twenty minutes.
The dress I’m wearing isn’t one Anton would approve of. It’s midnight black, the fabric hugging every inch of my body in a way that makes me feel exposed.
It’s not Anton’s style for sure, but it’s not mine, either. The dress is too tight. Too revealing with how the neckline brushes the tops of my breasts. I don’t resemble the little helpless doll he manufactured... and that’s the whole point.
I’m the opposite of his fantasy.
Once he arrives at the auction, he’ll feel like someone stole me and dragged me through filth.
Concealeralmosthides the hickeys decorating my neck, shoulders, and collarbones. The pale marks are still visible when you look closely. Which is why I’ll be wearing a shawl to the auction so Octavius won’t notice before Anton arrives.
I left the marks buried beneath my dress as they are. At any point I can slip the neckline half an inch lower to fuel Anton’s rage with the love bites.
My lips are red, eyes rimmed with black eyeliner, and my hair is pinned high with a few loose tendrils framing my face.
The knife Koby left sits on the dresser, a thigh holster beside it. I’m still debating whether I should wear it.
