Page 60 of Little Blue

Not a one of them looks bothered by the chill. I huff, “I guess you’re used to the cold, huh?” I nod to myself as eight sets of eyes watch me. “Well, I suppose you know he’s home. I bet you can smell him as soon as he gets out of his car.” I snort, nose scrunching. “I agree, he wears too much cologne.” That’s not true. Ilya smells divine, but there’s no way I’m admitting that with Luka behind me. “He’s like a walking bottle of aftershave, if aftershave had the strength of an ape and the countenance of a devil.”

The pretty golden blonde pup, who really isn’t a pup at all, scoots closer until she’s pressing her entire right side to the fence. I heave another sorrowful sigh. “I would pet you. I want to pet you, but the oompa loompa behind me takes orders from the aftershave ape—and he says I’m not allowed.” I lean forward to whisper, “I think he’s just afraid you’ll love me more.”

The entire eight begin to whinny and whine. I sit up straight, because they’ve never done this. Not ever.

And then a deep rumble sounds, “I have no doubt they will love you more. But until I’ve introduced you as a friend, they’re more likely to tear you to pieces. This would cause me great grief, because I would destroy anything and anyone who harmed even a hair on your head. And I happen to like my dogs very much. I would not take pleasure in destroying them.”

I stand, startled to find he’s standing in Luka’s place. Luka is gone. “Ilya.”

“If you’re done calling me and my men names, I can introduce you now.”

He’s cocking one brow at me as he waits, seemingly patiently.

I know better. The man doesn’t have a patient bone in his body.

This is also the first time I’ve seen him since breakfast early this morning, and even though he’s dressed head to toe, I can’t help but see him half naked, hovering above me with his large fist pumping his massive cock.

Again, I feel my face get hot.

Spinning back to the dogs, I croak, “I’d like that.”

“Good.” He moves to the gate, unlocking it before moving inside. He bends to one knee and takes his time giving affection to the dogs, each one of the ladies preening under the attention of his gifted hands.

I know how you feel, ladies. Oh, boy, do I know how you feel.

Shoot. There I go again, thinking about his hands on me.

He’s like a drug. I don’t want to want him, but I can’t help myself.

One taste, and I’m hooked.

My thoughts sharpen when Ilya begins to speak to the dogs. He moves to the gate, opening it and gesturing me forward. After hearing from so many how these dogs would happily shred me to pieces, I can’t help the hesitation.

“Come, Irelynn,” Ilya commands. “They will not hurt you.”

I raise a brow. “You sure about that?”

His eyes snap to mine. “You are mine. They know you are mine. They will lay down their lives for you, as would I.” Oh, God—my heart. “Come.”

Narrowing my eyes on that wicked, heart-thieving tongue, I step toward him. “You wouldn’t lay down your life for me.”

“I would.”

I hold my ground. “Then let me leave. Let me go home.”

He steps toward me as the gate falls closed. I can feel the curious eyes of the dogs all around us as he steps dangerously toward me. Gripping my face in his hands, Ilya leans down so his face is a breath from mine. I taste his words as he speaks them. “Anything your heart desires, I will give to you. Any destination you wish to travel, I will take you. Diamonds, pearls—yours. If you begged me for the moon, I’d find a way to give it to you, fuck the tides. Whatever you want, I am at your mercy. But the one thing I will never do, never give, no matter the tears you cry or the fits you throw, is your freedom—not if you use that freedom to rip my heart from my chest.”

“I—I wouldn’t?—”

His hands give me a single, gentle shake. “That is exactly what you would do. You’re talons deep in my heart, love. Like it or not, it’s yours. Walk away now, and I’ll bleed out after you.”

Searching his blue eyes, I see nothing to hint at his words being anything but truth. But they can’t be.

I wheeze, “You don’t know me.”

“I’m in love with you.”

“No.”

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