Ahh, this man.
“And are you mine?” I ask boldly.
“I am,” he immediately rasps, making my chest burn with excitement.
“You’re an assassin,” I say it more to remind myself.
“Yeah.”
“So, you killed many people.”
“I restrain myself from killing on average ten people a day, so you can say I’ve saved more lives than I’ve killed.” Is he teasing me?
“So, you want to save lives, too?” That can’t be right.
“If it’s yours, yes.”
I now know I can accept the darkest parts of him because there’s light between the cracks. I can see it shine brightly.
“I have a past, too. Pickpocketing.” My father forced me to when I was a kid. I hated it. “I haven’t done it in years, though.”
“I know.”
“Know what?” Did he do a background check on me? What else does he know?
He whispers, “That you are mine, past and all.” I love this assertive part of him, it shuts down my petty insecurities.
“Just-just like that?”
“Yeah. I didn’t feel an electrical shock through my whole body the first time I saw you. No arrow from Cupid speared my heart or some other stupid shit people say. I simply acknowledged that you were mine.” Ezra’s eyes seem hypnotized by his thumb brushing over my lower lip. “You feed my hunger and fill me up. I feel satisfied when I have you with me. You’ll remain by my side.”
My forehead falls on his—a little too strongly because my elbow slipped, but he doesn’t complain. Our noses touch. My words land on his lips.
“I choose to stay by your side no matter what. Whatever I’m doing, wherever I am.”
His silence turns a bit unnerving. He pulls my head back, aiming all that dominant lust at me.
“Fuck love. That sounds a million times superior.”
Before I can say anything else, he flips me on the bed—which we thoroughly used all night—so that I’m lying under his strong body now.
The light is coming from the window, bathing him in its brightness. The time between the dog and the wolf is here again.
Which one is he?
I don’t have to choose when it’s Ezra. Because he’s one and the other. The dog that will stay by my side and keep me safe, and the wolf that will mutilate anyone who tries to hurt me.
eleven
SULLY
Is sex supposed to always be deeply intense? I had a dream of a more playful sort last night. I was waiting for the man in the mask, lying on my bed. I only had my briefs on—as he instructed me— and a bunny mask that covered my eyes and nose. I kept giggling, feeling silly and excited. Would he let me act like a rabbit as well? Hopping around, fucking all night. I looked down and saw a fluffy, round tail sticking out from the high curve of my butt. Where did that come from? The door suddenly opened, and he was finally there but blood was running down his white mask and then covering my hands. I screamed, but it was too late.
We woke up early this morning. I couldn’t sleep much, too shaken by what happened yesterday. We took a shower, and then Ezra started breakfast. He was washing some strawberries to add to the pancakes when he suddenly stopped and then started making phone calls to the brotherhood. It sounded like he had found a lead on Nine.
He didn’t want to leave me alone on campus—Ren, Ash and Dare were too busy with the explosion aftermath to babysit me—so we hopped into his car and drove all the way to Michael and Raph’s penthouse in Downtown Chicago.
I’ve been here a few times, but I always forget how amazing it is. The elevator that opens inside the penthouse, the incredible view of the city, and the luxurious but comfortable atmosphere of every room. I love Ezra’s cottage, but I wouldn’t hate living here.
