Page 24 of Little Blue

He purrs, “Again.”

I shake my head, at a loss. “Why?”

A need I don’t expect to see flares in his eyes. “Please.”

“Ilya.” I want to deny him—and yet I am unable.

What is happening?

This whole thing—this entire situation—is so wrong.

The grip he has around my throat is gentle now. With the tender stroke of his thumb over my pulse point, my body is beginning to feel things it shouldn’t. Like heat.

Shoot. My body doesn’t know what my brain knows. That this—him touching me—is wrong.

“You can have any woman,” I begin. “Why take me?”

He wets his lips. “You’re the only woman I want.”

I frown. “You really are crazy, aren’t you?”

“Mad,” he confirms.

It should terrify me. In a way, his easy admission of his insanity does. But I also feel an unhealthy dose of aloof bravery. Or maybe his mad is rubbing off on me, because I tell him, “I won’t make you happy.”

“I’ll make you happy enough for both of us.”

He’s deranged. “I’ll run from you every chance I get.”

His eyes flare. I think—I think he’s excited by the prospect.

Goosebumps rise on my flesh. I shiver.

His voice is a deep rumble. “Do you promise?”

My breath snags. He lets me shove his hand away, breaking all contact, but remains hovering close above me.

“I’ll fight you.”

“Exciting.” He truly looks—excited.

“I’ll hate you.”

“You can try, but I’ll make you love me,” he vows. “I’m a very determined man, Little Blue. Consider your challenge accepted.”

“It’s not a challenge. It’s a fact. A promise.” I shake my head. “Just—just let me go before we get hurt.”

“I won’t hurt you.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.” That’s not entirely true.

He quirks a grin. It’s so beautiful.

“The only thing that can hurt me is losing you.”

My retort dies a quick death on my tongue.

I don’t know what to say to that.

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