Page 345 of Dark Love

“You’re crazy.”

And what else is new? “You said that before.”

“It bears repeating. We can watch the game if you want.” Vex clicks a few buttons and the pregame starts.

“As long as you won’t be bored.”

“I’m good.”

You really are, but why do you make people think you’re bad? That’s a question for another day. Right now, I need to forget about everything else and eat a brilliant steak and watch the Sharkies win hopefully.

Sit With Me

Dahlia

I might never be able to move again. Never, ever has my belly been this full.

How different would my life have been if Vex didn’t save me? Where would I be right this minute? Would I be hungry? Would I be—

Fear courses through me like rivers of anguish.

“Dahlia?” Vex turns away from the game to look at me like he can sense my pain.

“I’m okay.” Will that ever be the truth? Tears slip out of my eyes and the trembling starts again.

A strong hand wraps around mine. “You’re safe. No one can hurt you here.”

The rivers settle into a bubbling creek.

Why is it that with a single motion, he can take so much anguish away? This can’t behealthy.

What would it feel like if he looped an arm over my shoulder? Vex has been sitting in that chair most of the day. “You must be uncomfortable.”

He startles a little bit. “I’m fine.”

“Why don’t you lay on top of the duvet? You’ll be able to relax and enjoy the game.”

“I’m fine here.”

Leave it alone.

Don’t push.

He’s fine.

But I’m not. My heart is greedy for just a few moments, with nothing but peace. The kind of peace I felt when he held me safe.

Now I’m waxing poetic about a crime lord who bought me steak… a really good steak. Is it wrong to ask for more from him? To demand more? “You can’t be comfortable on the hard chair for all those hours. I don’t want to put you out in your own home.”

Vex clicks the screen off. “Dahlia?”

“Please.” I know I’m asking a lot, but when you’re close, the noise in my head stops. Those are the words I should say, but instead I coward out. “It makes me feel bad knowing that you’ve sat there all those hours when you could be more comfortable lying on this bed that’s bigger than most couches.” It’s bigger than most apartments in Urbium. “Please.” Please don’t make me explain. Please don’t make me dig any deeper into the swirling pits of confusion.

Vex stares at me for a long moment. Is he trying to bore a hole into my brain? He won’t like what he finds there. “Fine.” It only takes him seconds to walk around the bed, slip out of his loafers, and climb on top of the bedding.

The edge of the bed. He’s left every bit of space between us possible, given his massive size.

Why does every part of me want to sigh in relief? He’s actually farther away now than when he was sitting on the chair. Nothing makes sense today. Nothing at all.

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