Page 77 of Dark Obsession

For the first time in a long while, I feel complete.

Chapter 33

Elena

A few days later…

The days pass in a blissful blur. Grigori and I have practically claimed the third floor as our own little haven. The rest of the family seems to understand, steering clear and giving us space. For now, it’s just the two of us, just the way I like it.

We lounge on the couch in the third-floor TV room, our makeshift dinner spread out on the coffee table. It’s raining out, but for now, it fits the mood. I’m still grinning over the fact that he agreed to indulge my craving for pelmeni dumplings with a side of blini and smoked salmon, even though he couldn’t resist grumbling about “keeping it light.”

On the screen, a true crime show plays with unsettling detail, the narrator diving into the twists of a particularly grisly murder case. As the camera zooms in on crime scene photos, I catch Grigori shooting me a skeptical glance, one brow raised.

“Of all the things to watch… don’t you get enough crime in real life?” he asks, half amused, half incredulous.

“Oh, come on, this is different. It’s like studying!” I laugh, snuggling deeper into his side. “Plus, it’s so fascinating. Don’t you want to know how psychos think?”

“I know how they think, and I put them six feet under for it.” He shakes his head, a smirk pulling at his lips. “You know, if you weren’t already Bratva royalty, I’d be worried. Watching crime shows for fun—”

“You think I’m strange?” I look up at him with an exaggeratedly hurt expression.

“A little,” he teases. “But I wouldn’t change it.”

The episode ends, and as the credits roll, Grigori turns to me, his expression softening. He shifts slightly, wincing from his bruised ribs but keeping his eyes on mine.

“Listen, Elena, I don’t know exactly where this thing between us is going. Hell, I never dreamed it would go anywhere at all.” He pauses, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “But I know two things for damn certain—I love you, and I’ll always protect you. No matter what.”

A warm, fluttery feeling fills my core. I reach up and brush my fingers over his face, eyeing the faint bruises that haven’t quite faded yet.

“Bold of you to assume you’ll be the one protecting me, not the other way around,” I tease, grinning. “Maybe you’re the who needs watching out for with the way you throw yourself into danger.”

He laughs then winces, his hand instinctively going to his ribs. I move closer, laying my head on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath against my cheek.

“You don’t know how scared I was.” My voice comes out weaker than I intended but I don’t try to mask it. “I thought I might never see you again.”

He presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head, his hand stroking my back soothingly. “I’m here now, princess. And nothing is going to tear me away from you ever again.”

His hand slides under my chin, lifting my face to his. Our eyes meet, then our lips, in a kiss that’s sweet, deep, and says everything we’ve kept locked inside.

As the kiss continues, I love you’s are whispered in between breaths. I’m so grateful to be here with him, just the two of us. With each touch, I feel the heat between us rise, his hands sliding down my back and pressing me close.

The things those hands do to me...

I pull back and grin slyly, running my fingers over his chest. “You’re still in recovery, remember? No rough handling—doctor’s orders.”

He lets out a small laugh, holding my gaze. “Under normal circumstances, princess, nothing would stop me.”

I drag my fingers lower, brushing them right at the edge of his waistband. “So, what exactly did the doctor say?”

“Not to get too, ah, assertive,” he replies, eyes gleaming.

I smirk. “That sounds like I get to be in charge, then.”

“Careful,” he warns, sliding his hands up my thighs. “If you get too bossy, you’ll pay for it.”

My heart races, but I can’t resist teasing him. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be gentle,” I whisper, slipping his shirt off carefully. I loveseeing his body, strong and fierce.

I let my eyes linger a moment, taking him in before helping him out of his pants. He’s left in just his boxer briefs, the outline of his erection making my pulse pound. A little thrill runs through me, knowing he’s all mine.

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