Page 83 of His Prince
And then he tears from the room, leaving Mikhail staring after him. He’s regained some color in his cheeks but I can feel how cold his skin is against mine.
I want to crawl in next to him and warm him, wrap my arms around him, and just let him sink into me.
But I don’t. I have to remember that’s not what this is.
“You’re fine. Just stay away from dark tunnels,” George says.
“I need to speak with you, Georgiy.”
I know when I’m being dismissed. His hand slips from mine and he stands up, wobbling slightly, but moving to the closet to get dressed. Of course, George says nothing, just waits for me to leave so they can converse without me in earshot.
I don’t like it, but I know where I stand in this house.
I’m nothing.
I pull on some clothes and slide out of the room, moving outside to the garden to find solace in the plants, the trees, the insects that are noisily buzzing away. And even though I’m not totally alone, Casey discreetly following behind me, I pretend I am.
It’s just me in this world.
I have no one. Not really.
I lose myself in the garden until the sun sets and Casey moves closer, trying to get me to go inside, but I’m not ready yet. I’m not wanted there.
I sniffle and swipe at my eyes, biting down on my lip to keep myself from crying.
I’m always fucking crying. I wish I were tougher, like my brother or my dad.
I wish I were anyone else at this moment.
“Where is he?” Mikhail’s voice grumps from the far end of the yard and just the sound of it has my heart thumping excitedly in my chest.
No, I need to be upset. I need to be angry about being unloved and dismissed.
But as soon as he nears, I peer up at him as his hand reaches out and touches my cheek, his thumb brushing softly against it.
“Sólnyshko, come inside. It’s late and getting cold.”
“I’m busy,” I say even though my head tucks into his palm. “And you should be resting.”
“I would be if you were where you needed to be.”
“I would have been inside if you’d asked me to stay.”
His hand falls from me and his lips turn down into a frown. “There are things that don’t concern you.”
“We’re married. It all concerns me.”
His eye twitches and his hands slip into the pockets of his slacks.
“I know where I stand,” I say and turn around, deciding I’ll sleep out here tonight. Suddenly, I’m spun around and lifted into his arms.
“Mikhail!” I cry out, but he’s already striding forward. I can do nothing but wrap my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist, and hold on. “You’re injured.”
“You need to come inside,” he replies, not even short on breath ashe moves. He’s so strong, even when he’s hurt. “And I know how stubborn you are when you’re angry at me.”
“I am mad. Very mad.”
He stops moving, and I glance down at him, his lips so impossibly close. I want to kiss them. I want to taste him.