Page 53 of Dark Christmas
Lord Wainright steps forward, his expression somber. “We’ve just received word that the duke was slain in battle.”
I gasp, the letter slipping from my hand, falling to the floor like a forgotten hope.
I push back from my laptop, and before I know it, tears are streaming down my face. I quickly wipe them away, chalking it up to hormones.
Still, deep down, I know why this entry hit me so hard. I’m pulling from my fears for Melor. He’s in danger, just like the duke in my story. And the thought of losing him is too much.
A knock at the door snaps me out of it. “Come in,” I say, trying to compose myself.
The door opens and Melor steps into the room. He looks amazing; the moonlight spilling through the window casts him in silver, making him appear supernatural.
He looks at me, concern flickering in his eyes. “What’s wrong? You were asleep when I left.”
I wave a hand at my laptop, still trying to pull it together. “Oh, nothing. The muse strikes when she strikes.”
His expression softens. He knows there’s more behind my mood, but he doesn’t push.
He walks over and drops onto the couch next to my desk. “I’d love to read it eventually.”
I give him a teasing smile. “Maybe I’ll hook you up with an advance copy if you’re lucky.”
He grins, and for a second, it’s easy to forget everything else. But then reality seeps back in as it always does. I can’t stop myself from asking, “So, where were you?” adding quickly, “I was worried.”
He leans over and kisses me, his lips warm and reassuring. “I had to meet a friend,” he says. “Everything’s fine.”
I return the kiss but pull back quickly, narrowing my eyes. “In the middle of the night? Why’d you have to meet him so late?”
For a moment, he looks away like he’s unsure how to answer. His jaw tightens, and that familiar wall goes up. I know he’s trying to protect me, but damn, it’s frustrating when he shuts down like this.
He runs a hand through his hair, glancing away like he's weighing every word he’s about to say. “I had to meet with an old friend from my Bratva days. For information.”
I blink, my stomach tightening. “What kind of information?”
Instead of answering, he shifts the conversation, his eyes locking on mine. “Do you want a life together?”
I freeze. Did I hear him right?
“Do I… want a life together?” I repeat dumbly, as if saying the words aloud will help me process them. “With you?”
“Yes. That’s what I’m asking.”
I sit there stunned, trying to catch up.
“If that’s what you want, Amelia, then it can happen. But there are things from my past, things I need to take care of. I hate that they’ve resurfaced but they have, and they need to be dealt with. I want to keep you as far away from all of it as possible.”
His words hang in the air between us, heavy with meaning. I don’t know what to say, and for a second, I feel completely out of my depth. A life together? With him? And everything that comes with it?
He holds out his hand, a silent offer. Without thinking, I take it, letting him pull me over to the couch. The moment I’m close to him, his warmth and his presence instantly make me feel better.
I’m absolutely stunned by this new revelation. My brain is doing backflips, and I have no idea what to say. So, I blurt out the only thing that comes to mind. “Doyouwant a life withme?”
He grins that sexy little grin that drives me crazy, and without a word, he leans in, pressing his lips to mine. His kiss is hisanswer, and it’s all the answer I need.
He pulls back, that damn grin still on his face. “I hope that answered your question.”
I smirk, my heart racing. “Oh, it sure did. But I’ve got some follow-ups.”
I’m on him in an instant, our lips crashing together. His hands grip my waist as mine slide up into his hair, tugging just enough to make him groan against my mouth.