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The mattress shifted beneath his weight a second later, and a soft light bathed the room. Bastian sat up and pulled me into his warm embrace, making me feel safe.
I loved this about him.
He was aggressive and possessive, a hunter like Damian, but also soft and sweet. A side to him few people got to see.
“Swan Lake,” I reminded him.
“How about I do you one better? I’ve been working on a new song for you.”
“You have?” My voice reached a higher octave, surprised by his confession. “What’s it called?”
He shrugged. “I won’t know until I finish the song.”
“Well, let’s hear it.”
Bastian slid off the bed and led me over to the grand piano. He’d created new songs for me. But nothing spoke to me like the first song he ever wrote for me.
Sweet cherry.
It was personal.
He wroteCiliegia dolcewhen he was at his worst. Even though Bastian was nicer to me than Luca and Damian, he was still an asshole back then. It wasn’t until he wrote that song, and his walls came crumbling down, that I saw there was a lot more to Bastian Salvatore than expected.
“Put your hands on top of mine,” Bastian instructed.
I felt the beautiful but haunting notes as his hands moved across the keys. It sounded like a mixture ofThe Phantom of the OperaandWicked. I loved both musicals. Bastian’s song had a magical feel. And as he played, I forgot about our troubles, letting them slip away.
“This is beautiful, Bash,” I whispered when he finished the song. “Absolutely perfect. As usual, you never disappoint.”
He slipped his hand through my hair, and his lips brushed mine. Our noses touched. We breathed against each other’s lips for a moment.
“I love you, Cherry.” He gave my lips a quick peck. “You have given me some of the happiest moments of my life. I will cherish them forever.”
“Why are you talking like you’re leaving… or something is wrong?”
His broad shoulders rose a few inches. “Almost losing Marcello put things into perspective for me. It made me realize the same thing could happen to any of us. You need to know I love you.”
“You show me with your actions every day. I don’t need to hear the words to know the truth.”
He raised my hand to his lips and kissed my skin. “I’m so scared of losing you.”
“That won’t happen.” I forced a smile for his benefit. “I’m staying right here with you.”
Lately, all of us have been feeling the effects of Marcello’s forced captivity. Add in Drake’s kidnapping, Tate’s death, and the threat of The Lucaya Group.
I would never feel safe.
None of us would.
The Salvatore brothers gave me everything I ever wanted. So if that meant having to face occasional attacks, it was worth it.
After Bastian played a few more songs for me, we went back to bed. He turned on Swan Lake and lit another candle.
For as long as I could remember, this was my nightly ritual. Something I did to help soothe my nerves. I’d adopted many coping mechanisms: music, painting, chamomile tea, and a bath before bed.
Bastian turned onto his side behind me, resting his chin on my shoulder. He placed his hand over my stomach.
“I can’t wait until it’s my turn,” he whispered. “I’ve been thinking about getting you pregnant since I killed Fitzy.”
