Page 90 of Little Blue

“Where is Irelynn?” I ask as Polina rolls another ball of cookie dough.

“With the dogs.”

“Luka or Boris?”

She eyes me. “Luka.”

I nod, wishing for once it would be Boris. Boris, however, seems to prefer taking the shifts where she’s in our room or reading her books. He stands sentry quietly, and distantly.

Boris has always been distant, so it’s no surprise. Still, I can’t help feeling the unfamiliar burn of jealousy when I leave her alone with Luka. I know nothing would ever happen, Luka wouldn’t dare, but I can’t capture her heart the same as I captured her body. What if she grew feelings for him?

Fuck. She’s driving me crazy.

Touching her, listening to her pant and moan in the dark of the night—making her come…

I want inside her. I want to claim her.

I want her to ask me. I want her to invite me inside.

I want her to want me like I want her. I want her to burn and yearn for me as I do her.

Scrubbing my hand down my face, I shovel a cookie into my mouth in time to hear Misha laugh.

“Girl’s with them dogs every chance she gets.” Misha makes Polina smile wide when he swipes a stack of cookies, shoving one into his mouth at a time. “Best be careful, or they won’t be your murder weapons anymore. They’ll be hers.” He pops another cookie into his mouth, and chewing, says, “Only a matter of time before she sics them on you.”

I don’t reply as I walk from the room to find my woman.

She’s quiet as she walks beside me into our room. She’s been quiet for the last couple days, and I know she is struggling. I assume it’s because of the approaching holiday, and the grief she feels over the loss of her parents that still haunts her.

Opening the door, she slips into the room and moves instantly to greet her cat. He’s sprawled on the bed, on my side of the bed, as though he’s the king of this room and this house. Before her hand even connects, the cat is purring loudly.

Her blue eyes lift to mine, and she asks softly, “Do you think we can let him roam the house freely? He’s a people person, so he’ll just love making friends with Polina and Daniil.”

She wants him to roam free? Does that mean she’s accepted her fate here, to remain with me?

My heart quickens.

“I can’t see why not.”

“He won’t run outside. He’s never been outside, so I don’t think he has the urge.” She worries her lip. “But if he happened to get outside, or the girls got in—would he be okay?”

“They’ve never attacked a small animal to my knowledge. They don’t even chase the rabbits.” I watch as her worry begins to ease. “They are well trained, but if it would make you more comfortable, we can introduce him to them, so they know he is not to be harmed.”

“I’d like that.” She shifts so she’s facing me. “You wanted to talk to me?”

“I have a surprise for you.” A question fills her eyes, but she waits for me to explain. “I would like to take you out tonight. On a date.”

Pretty pink lips part before a pretty pink tongue pokes out to wet them. Blue eyes dip to the floor before finding mine again. “You’re not afraid I’ll run from you?”

“If you do, I’ll catch you.” I take a step closer to her. “I will always catch you, Irelynn.”

A small, playful smile stretches her lips. “So you keep telling me.”

“Do you intend to test me, Little Blue?”

She shakes her head, but there’s something enchanting about the look in her eyes. She has a secret. A dark thought she doesn’t wish me to know.

I want to exhume it from her.

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