Page 61 of Little Blue

“Forever, Irelynn.” With that, he presses his mouth to mine. It’s a soft, sweet, devastating kiss. As his tongue swipes against the seam of my lips, I’m helpless against him. With a single sigh, he invades.

I don’t know how long we kiss for, but I’m pulled from it by a wet nose bumping into my hand.

When he releases me, I see the golden lady blinking warm brown eyes up at me.

Ilya rasps, “She’s hoping for a pet, my heart.”

His heart. He’d called me that last night, too.

God, but he’s knocking down the brick wall surrounding my heart. It’s a violent, bloody takedown.

I don’t want it.

I’m not ready for it.

I must fight it.

Steeling myself against the onslaught of him, I smile down at the pup as I stroke her soft fur.

Just like her master, she pushes into my heart like a needle into a pincushion.

God, I’m going to miss her when I’m gone.

“Her name is Belle,” Ilya tells me softly. Then he points to the pup with the green eyes. “That’s Ariel, then there’s Snow, Cinder, Jasmine, Aurora, Pocha and that one,” Ilya points to the large black beauty with her long hair and dark, watchful eyes. She’s one of the two more reserved dogs—and she’s beautiful. “That one is Maleficent.”

All the dogs—apart from Maleficent—are named after princesses. Disney Princesses.

I can’t help the surprised curiosity that corkscrews my expression. Ilya sees it and chuckles, explaining, “My mother names my dogs. She’s a fan of fairy tales. Disney, in particular.”

I can’t help but look at him. Really look at him. He’s so hard. So firm and dangerous, and yet there’s a softness deep inside the granite shell of his core. A gooey center I’m getting glimpses of. Like there’s more to the tyrant man who claims to end lives with ease.

“Are you close to your mother?”

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. “I am.” He offers me nothing more, even though I suddenly feel ravenous for information. “What do you say we let them out to run? We can walk the property while the girl’s patrol.”

I’m horrified to think of some poor soul happening onto Ilya’s property and being doggy lunch. “Is that a good idea? What if someone comes here?”

“The property is gated, but if someone happens to get through, the girls won’t attack without my command. Not while I’m out here.”

“I’ve seen them out at night. What happens if someone unfamiliar were to come here at night?”

Ilya’s eyes bore into mine. Softly, he tells me, “That would be very unfortunate.”

I shiver. “They don’t seem like they’d do something like that.”

“The girls are very well trained. I would never keep an animal that was a danger to myself, my family, or my men. They have a roll here, and they know it. They are also deeply cared for by myself and my men.” His eyes are such a warm contrast to the cool wind when they drift over my face. “And now they have you.”

Ilya doesn’t wait for me to agree to a walk before he’s opening the gate wide. The dogs don’t barge through, however. They sit and wait as Ilya goes through their names, verbally giving them permission to exit.

The training is astounding.

“Do they ever come inside the main house?”

“No.”

“Would they—what would happen if they—um—met Lucy?”

Ilya cocks a rueful grin. “With proper introductions, Lucy would be just fine.”

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