Page 44 of Bound By Longing

But then I stop right before I reach him. Damien is not my husband. He’s not even my boyfriend. I don’t have the right to run into his arms. He can’t mean anything to me. Mikhail would lose his head, and besides, Damien made it clear he’s not looking for marriage, which I’ve wanted since I was a little girl.

“You found me,” I breathe out.

“I did. We have to hurry. I didn’t kill Lev. He ran off after I started shooting. Let’s go.” When he grabs my hand, a current shoots up my arm. We run for his car. After getting inside, Damien revs the engine and takes off.

I glance back at the grand house, watching as Lev comes running toward us. But then he stops as we get farther away.

“How did you find me?” I ask.

“I saw you get taken off the street and quickly found out it was Lev. I managed to find the car and follow it here. I didn’t hesitate. I just started shooting.”

I’m quiet for a moment. Then I work up the courage to gently touch his arm. His eyes flick down to my hand, and I pull away, blushing. “Thank you. For saving my life again.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Lev will be even angrier. I need to make sure you’re safe. I’m bringing you back to my place.”

“But my family will be wondering where I am again.”

He snorts. “That bastard didn’t even keep you safe. I’m not going to give you back to him just so he can lose you again.”

“Do you not like Dimitri?”

“I don’t like Dimitri.”

His words send a shiver over me. It’s possessive. He doesn’t want Dimitri for me. I shouldn’t like it, but I do. I want Dimitri to like me because, well … I like him.

“I should at least let my family know I’m safe.”

“You can call them when we get to my house. But I’m not letting you out of my sight. Not until I know you’re safe.”

I should be screaming at him to let me go. I will not be a prisoner of any sort. But I want Damien’s eyes on me.

And I know that’s going to be my downfall.

When we arrive at Damien’s house, the inside is startlingly empty. I realize it’s because Collete, his housekeeper, isn’t there. It’s just me and Damien.

Alone together.

I can feel him standing behind me. “Thank you again,” I say, seeking words just for something to do. It’s so quiet.

“Of course.”

“But, Damien, why did you save me? You let me go with Mikhail. I thought you didn’t care for me.”

“What makes you think I don’t care for you?” His hands gently touch the backs of my arms.

“Because you let me go.”

“You wanted to go back to your family.”

True. I did. I still do. But …

I spin around to face him. “I just thought you would have fought harder to get me to stay.”

“I only want you here, Mila, of your own accord. You fascinate me. But I’m not going to keep you as a captive. You have the right to go. But you also have the right to stay.”

“But you don’t want marriage.”

“You’re right. I don’t.”

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