Page 30 of Heart of Frost and Scars

“Stop.” My eyes burn and start to leak as I melt in his arms. “You’re making me cry.”

“Every tear is a sign of your infinite worth.” He runs his thumb across my wet cheek. “In you, my universe lies.”

“And you, my poetic savage, are a dark vine reaching.”

“Better to wrap around the soul that mirrors mine.”

“Cute.” Kody grunts.

“To think…” I sigh, smiling. “You had me at human.”

“I’d rather have you in the shower.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“Got my eyes fixed on eternity with you. There’s no rush.”

When I start to argue, he shoves three fingers into my mouth and pumps them, gently at first. Then his touch becomes rougher until I’m sucking, gagging, and gasping for more.

He replaces his hand with his lips and, with forever on his breath, he slowly, passionately seduces me with his mouth.

Stroking that sinful tongue against mine, he licks and savors with a reverence that owns me. His deep, inveigling kiss fills me with an ache so raw I forget where I am and why I needed this so badly.

Outside, the rain ceases to fall, leaving a serene hush when he finally pulls away.

Kody is there, arms reaching, as Leo plucks me from the table and hands me over.

Like the whole thing was orchestrated.

“Nice and docile.” Leo brushes a wayward curl from my face and meets Kody’s eyes. “I’ll be right behind you.”

As Kody carries me up the stairs, I hug his corded neck and watch Leo stalk through the sitting room, checking windows and doors and searching for cameras. As if he didn’t just kiss me into a boneless puddle.

Nice and docile.

He catches my gaze and winks.

Motherfucker.

All those sensual words and toe-curling kisses were just a ploy to get me out of my head?

I bite down on my smile.

Well played, Leonid Strakh.

8

Frankie

—

As it turns out, I didn’t need to grab clothes from Monty’s room.

Standing in the largest of the two guest bedrooms, Kody and I stare at the walk-in closet in disbelief. Clothes for every season fill the huge space, with two sections for the guys and one dedicated to me.

“How?” He rummages through the built-in drawers, pulling out men’s shirts, pajamas, and underwear. “We didn’t agree to stay here until after we left the hospital this morning.”

“One text to his staff, and they drop everything to do what he asks.” I open more drawers, finding women’s clothes, things I would pick out for myself, all in my sizes, styles, and favorite colors.

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