Page 181 of Sinful Lord

“Throw another match in there,” I tell her, unwinding our fingers. “We need a bigger fire.”

Walking to my desk, I open the bottom drawer. It’s filled with a dozen or so USB drives. I scoop them up and make my way back to the fireplace.

I hand Melina the first tape.

“Right in the flames, baby girl.”

She smiles. “Yes, sir.”

One by one, she tosses the women from my past into the burning inferno. Each time one of those little hard drives melts into ashes, it feels like another chain has been severed.

Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea, after all.

By the end, I feel free. Reborn. And more in love than ever before.

“Now it’s just you and me,” I say, turning to Melina. “Forever.”

“Forever’s a long time,” she smiles.

“Not long enough.”

Pulling her into my body, I give her a kiss that proves my commitment. It makes her knees so weak I have to scoop her up by the small of her back.

“What now?” she rasps, hazel eyes sparkling in the flames.

“Now, we live our lives how we want. Together. Surrounded by family, but not trapped by it.”

We kiss again.

I’ll never get tired of how her lips taste. The way she sinks into my hands when I hold her tight. The way she loves me.

This is all I’ve ever wanted, even if I was too stubborn to accept it for most of my life.

“Hey, answer something for me, will you?” Melina asks, after our endless kiss has run its course. Her hazel eyes turn back to the fireplace. Nearly everything is melted, but a few remnants of the USB sticks remain. “Were they all as obsessed over you as Yasha was?”

I can’t help but smirk.

“Why do you want to know that, angel?”

“I’m just wondering,” she playfully shrugs. “I mean, what’s so special about you anyway?”

“I thought you would have figured that out by now. Haven’t I proven myself to you already?”

“Not yet,” she giggles.

“Well, let me fix that.” Lowering my hand, I sweep Melina off her feet. “Would you like me to do that here or in our bed?”

She gasps as I carry her to the nearest wall and pin her against it.

“Okay,” she giggles, lips brushing playfully against mine. “Maybe I get it.”

“I fucking love you, Melina Kilpatrick.”

“I love you right back, Tytus Ryzdon.”

Her words are so sweet they could melt my heart, But the best part isn’t how delicious they taste, it’s that how true they are.

Melina Kilpatrick loves me. There’s no doubt about it.