Page 57 of I Am Salvation

She gasps out a breath, but she doesn’t squeal at the pain.

Instead, she arches against me, a moan escaping her as she tilts her head to give me better access. I pull her closer.

God, the anger.

The anger between us has only fueled our desire.

“You’re impossible,” she breathes out, her voice shaking.

“Ditto,” I whisper back.

She locks her gaze with mine as we stand in silence.

“I’m not running away.” Her words hang heavy in the air between us, challenging, defying.

I pull back slightly, taking in her flushed cheeks and wild eyes. “Is that so?”

“Yes,” she says firmly. “I’m staying right here.”

Her proclamation sends a thrill through my veins. Something in my brain screams at me to let her go—to save her from the twisted, dangerous world I inhabit. Yet another part of me—the dark and possessive side—yearns for her. Wants her wrapped up in my twisted world.

I cup her face, tracing her delicate features with my thumb. “Do you understand what you’re saying? You’re diving into a world of shadows. A world you may not escape from.”

“I know,” she says, a stubborn glint in her eyes. “But I also know that running away won’t solve anything. I want to face it all. With you.”

Her words pierce through the haze of my thoughts like a ray of light cutting through the darkest night. They beckon me closer to her, tugging at the chains of restraint I have so firmly put on myself.

I look at her, lost in the depth of her conviction. Her eyes are bright and determined, shimmering with an inner fire that is equal parts captivating and terrifying. And in that moment, I truly am lost in her. There’s no escaping her pull.

“Diana,” I whisper, “you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”

She shakes her head, her gaze never wavering from mine. “You keep saying that, and you’re wrong, Dragon. I may not know every single thing about you, but I know exactly what I’m getting myself into. And I choose to be here.”

A rush of emotion sweeps over me—fear, elation, frustration.

And then one that surprises the hell out of me.

Gratitude.

Gratitude that this woman—this beautifully stubborn woman—chooses me over the safety and predictability of her old life.

I let out a sigh, running my fingers through my hair. This is all so messed up. So complicated.

Could it ever actually work?

She lets out a breath, her body visibly relaxing in my hold. But there’s still an edge of tension to her, a wariness that suggests she knows the rocky path we’re about to follow.

I lean in and capture her lips with mine, savoring the softness and the sweet taste of her. It’s a gentle kiss, filled with promise and acceptance. She wraps her arms around me and pulls me closer. We stay like that for a few moments, locked in an embrace that speaks volumes.

When we finally break apart for air, I gaze into her eyes. “You’re sure?”

“Dragon,” she murmurs with a small smile. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

The conviction in her words stirs something deep within me—something primal and possessive that brings out the fierce protector in me. It’s a feeling I’ve never known before—a raw, untamed emotion that makes my heart pound.

I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her in a silent promise. A promise to protect her, to fight for her. To face every challenge and battle, every demon that threatens to tear us apart.

“Diana,” I say, “I’m not good at this. At expressing how I feel.”

---