Page 96 of Shatter Me

"Stay with me," I whisper against her skin. "Not just tonight. Always."

She answers with a kiss that steals my breath and the last of my reservations. Surrounded by centuries of history, I'm rewriting who I am with every touch and shared breath.

For the first time since watching Mother die, I'm not afraid of losing control. With Tash, surrender feels like victory.

40

EPILOGUE

TASH

Six months later…

Istretch lazily in the plush hotel bed, sunlight streaming through the gauzy curtains of our suite at the Ritz Paris. The sheets still hold Dmitri's scent, though he slipped out earlier with a kiss and a promise of breakfast.

The door clicks open, and Dmitri strides in, impeccably in a navy cashmere sweater and carrying a white paper bag that fills the room with the aroma of fresh-baked pastries.

"Only the best for your birthday breakfast,kulkola." He sets down two cups of coffee from Coutume on the antique side table. "I refuse to let you have mediocre hotel croissants when we're three blocks from the finest boulangerie in Paris."

"You didn't have to go out." I sit up, pulling the silk robe around me. "But I'm not complaining."

He unpacks golden, flaky croissants still warm from the oven. "Six months together, and you think I'd settle for anything less than perfect?"

I accept the coffee he hands me, breathing in the rich aroma. "These past months have been perfect enough."

"They have." He settles beside me on the bed, careful not to spill. "Though I still wake up wondering how I got so lucky."

I take a bite of the still-warm croissant, savoring the buttery layers. "How's Erik doing? I saw Katarina at the gallery opening last week. She seemed... happy."

Dmitri's expression softens. "He's different with her. Calmer. Though he still hovers like she might vanish if he blinks."

"Can't blame him after everything." I curl into his side, and he wraps an arm around me. "They fit together, don't they? In their intense way."

"Like you and me?" His fingers trace patterns on my shoulder.

"Maybe less dramatic than us." I smile against his chest. "Though speaking of drama, how's Alexi handling that mysterious hacker? Sofia mentioned he's been more manic than usual."

Dmitri chuckles, a warm rumble I feel through his sweater. "He's met his match. Every time he thinks he's close, she slips away. I've never seen him so frustrated or intrigued."

"She?"

"Just his theory. Says the code has a feminine elegance." He shakes his head. "But watching him obsess over catching her reminds me of how I was with you."

"Except I wasn't actively trying to destroy your systems."

"No, you just destroyed my carefully constructed walls instead." His voice turns serious, tender in a way few people ever hear. "I never thought I'd have this, Tash. Someone who sees all of me and stays anyway."

I put down my coffee before turning to face him. "I love all of you. Even the parts you think I shouldn't."

I stretch again, reluctant to leave our cozy nest of Egyptian cotton sheets. "You're not going to tell me where we're going?"

"Get showered and dressed." Dmitri's eyes spark with affection. "I have the entire day planned."

"So bossy." I roll my eyes but can't hide my smile. "Some things never change."

"Would you want me any other way?" He leans down to kiss me.

"Maybe a little less controlling?" I tease.

---