Merciless Love: A Dark Romance(77)
He bounced right back. I only wished I could say the same about Heather. She was making good progress every week when I went to Izzy's new place and visited her, but there was a long way to go. Seeing the cult crumble in front of her eyes was a serious shock, and the outside world was a greater one still.
But I didn't need a crackling fire to forget about winter, the past, and focus on the future.
I had something better. I had him.
I was relaxing with a glass of wine when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I turned, carefully feeling for his leg, sliding my way toward his hand and brushing his cane.
“Can't wait to lose this fucking thing. I'm tired of it getting in the way.” Frustration boiled in his voice.
“Just a few more weeks. You're doing better every day.” I grabbed his thick hand and laid it against my cheek.
Yesss. This is it. A hundred times better than any fire. His heat is what really holds off the darkness.
“What about you, Cassie? You've been quiet as a damned mouse today. Good thing you're plenty beautiful to make up for it.” He stroked my jaw, and I shivered as sharp fires ignited deep inside me.
God, I still couldn't handle his touch like a sane woman, even after all these months...
“You're not supposed to call me that...”
Evan laughed and shook his head. “Fuck me. We're alone, babe. We can use our own fucking names in this house. Lila's fine – you picked it out – but I still prefer Cassandra.”
“I know we understand that. But will Ty? Or should I say, Jacob?”
The warm humor on his face melted. “Shit. You're right. Just wish I'd put a little more thought into these damned names. They're gonna be with us for the rest of our lives, fresh social security numbers and all...”
“No need to fret about it, Bruce.” I stood, smiling and folding my arms around him, brushing my lips over his.
I liked his new name. It was strong and masculine and a little dangerous, even though the new private security business he was setting up was a far cry from the hired killer he used to be. I pulled at his robe.
We could change our names, but they didn't erase the past. Evan's was right here beneath my hands in dark ink, dreadful and seductive, double crossed swords that never ceased to fill me with envy and lust.
I worried about living up to Jenny's legacy as the perfect wife. Obviously, he was into me. Plus the boy and I went together real well, but would it last forever? Would he ever engrave my love and the tragedy we'd shared into his flesh?
I was running my fingers gingerly over his hard chest when he reached out and took my wrists. He held them in both hands, pouring pure fire into me through his bright eyes.
“Need to get you some ink soon, babe. I said you're mine, and I'm not gonna let you forget it for a single fucking second.” He pulled me in with one twist.
Flat against his chest, excitement raced through me, turning my blood to thick hot honey. I sighed deep and then inhaled him, burying my nose in his scent.
“You're not the good girl who left that damned cult. Not the one who left California behind either. You know what you are?”
He brought his forefinger and thumb to my face, gently tipping it up to his. I already saw the answer in his eyes: mine. Nothing less.
“Yours?” I whispered, loving the goosebumps prickling at my skin.
“My fucking everything. Cassie, Lila, I don't give a single shit what name you go by. You're my babe, and all you've got to worry about now is carving out a new life up here. Anything you want is yours, woman. Anything.”
I felt like I was talking to the biggest badass genie in the world. I giggled at the silly thought and covered my mouth, redness lighting up my cheeks. I'd been reading folktales since the world outside turned to ice, all the crazy fantasies from far off places I'd been denied as a girl. The Arabian ones were my favorite.
It was better to laugh than consider the endless possibilities. I wanted to give cooking another try. Maybe I could help Izzy with her new restaurant when it opened after Christmas. Playing with Ty was fun as hell too. The rambunctious little boy introduced me to a whole world of video games and challenges I had to focus to keep up with.
“Go on. Let me smoother that fucking doubt and confusion in your eyes. One day you'll show me what you want, Cassie, even if you don't know it yet. Right now, I know what's on your brain...”
Yeah, he does...
His big hands smoothed down my back, stopping to cup my ass. He pulled me to him and squeezed. Evan's cane toppled to the floor and we fell backward, tumbling to the bed, pulling me with him.
My hands swept over his chest and I spread my legs, throwing my head back when he caught my robe. Being his went both ways. I was his property, and he was mine, his beautiful tattooed flesh was mine to explore, to savor, to pleasure.