Page 151 of Mila: The Godfather

I like it.

Everything he does, I enjoy and want more of.

“Did I say something wrong?” I ask when he puts the soap down and reaches behind me to shut off the water.

“Next time, baby. I’ll show you all the shit I dream of doing to you,” he promises, going out to grab us towels. “Right now, I really want to get us both home and into bed. As much as I love fucking you, butterfly. I can’t get enough of you sleeping on my chest.” With that, he disappears into the other room, and comes back wearing gray sweatpants and with one of his shirts in hand. He quickly helps me put it on.

“I like you in my clothes. From now on, wear only that.”

“I can’t wear men’s clothes.” Well, I can. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I like my clothes. The dresses, mostly. I also like how I look in his shirts, how they swallow me up and make me feel as if he were hugging me. His smell and the feel of fabric. “Maybe to sleep.”

“Deal.” He helps dry off my hair and then I check to make sure we didn’t mess up his butterfly stitches when we were in the shower. Once we’re both dressed and dry. I hug him tightly. “Thank you.”

I feel his strong arms wrap around me. “Not that I don’t fucking love your hugs, butterfly, but what’s this for?”

Still holding onto him, I look up and focus on his lips. I love his lips, and the things he can do with them. “For what you did in that cage.” I take a deep breath before continuing. “I blocked out most of the memories that caused me pain when I was younger, not wanting all that ugly to bleed into my present and future, but I didn’t realize how demons never really leave you alone unless you get rid of them, and you did that for me, Riagan.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Mila.” He pulls me closer to his body. “Nothing. I can’t breathe right knowing every piece of shit who ever said an unkind word or hurt you in any way is still breathing in your world. I can’t. I’m not done, and I will be doing it again and again until there’s no trace of all the ugly you had to witness, baby. Nothing.”

“I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I am so grateful for you.” I admit, feeling shy suddenly.

“Nah.” He drops a kiss on top of my head and holds me there. “I’m the lucky one. How I got someone as pure and as extraordinary as you, baby, I don’t know, but I’m not questioning it. I’m one lucky bastard.”

I’m the lucky one, but I don’t say it. He wouldn’t accept it anyway.

The only extraordinary human is him, and it hurts me sometimes that he doesn’t see himself the way I do.

My hero.

My beautiful villain with the heart of a hero.

My perfect husband.

“Let’s go home.” He says, pulling back from me.

Home.

I find myself grinning like a damn idiot. “Home. I like that.” I admit.

“Me too, baby. Me too.” I smiled at that as Riagan walked us out of his office, heading for the building’s exit. He quickly gets us in his car and drives us home. And when we get there, I find myself lying in his arms, listening to the beat of his heart. My favorite sound, along with his laugh. Tonight, I came to terms with the truth that there was no one else but him. Even as I cuddled beside me, careful not to touch anywhere that might hurt, which meant my hand was barely resting on his shoulder, I realized that was what he did for me. He muted the world. He muted the bad memories. When he was around, that was all there was. Everything else was quiet.

It was the most peace and freedom I had ever known in my entire life. He gave that to me.

As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered what I did to deserve someone like him. A criminal, yes, but with a heart of gold.

My heart.

Riagan’s Secret Thoughts

I love her exactly for who she is.

Riagan’s Girl

RIAGAN

“Loving you comes so easily.” — M

“Are we there yet?” Mila beams excitedly as I lead her while blindfolded.

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