Page 67 of Shadows of Obsession

Luna is sprawled on me, the strands of her hair contrasting with her skin, and my heart squeezes strangely in my chest.

I've heard others talk about soulmates and never understood the term. How can there be a person who is, from every point of view, made for you?

Is that what she represents for me? Why I was so fascinated by her from the first second I saw her?

Looking at her, how peaceful she is in sleep next to me, I can understand what they meant. The desire to ensure she's safe again causes that sensation in my chest that cuts off my breath.

My hand automatically tenses, and I feel her stir slightly beside me. I kiss the top of her head, again a form of affection I didn't know I had in me for anyone besides Victoria.

With Luna it's not a necessity. It's not something she asks for. It's something I want to do. I can smell her perfume even now, something with a trace of chocolate, and I watch her stretching slightly beside me.

"Morning," she says, and the weak morning light falls right on her freckles. I have to suppress a sound that gets stuck in my throat at the sight of her pressed against me.

"Morning, moya dusha." The term of endearment escapes without thinking.

"Mmm, you've called me that before. What does it mean?" she asks in a sleepy voice that wakes up other parts of my body that want to press her into the mattress and hear what sounds she can make when having an orgasm.

I desire this woman like I've never desired anyone, but until I have the certainty that she's mine, with all her soul and mind, I don't want to take that step. Even though my demons whisper how easy it would be to get lost in her.

"My soul." I clear my throat when I answer.

My voice is normal, but she raises her gaze to look at me.

"Roman."

One word, but it has so much emotion in it.

"I'll look for a nickname in Russian for you too," she tells me with conviction.

I've never offered anyone a term of affection nor received any. The only reason I know the word is because I know Russian and I hear it from my soldiers when they talk to their families. But an endearment from Luna just for me? The demon I keep locked up grins at the idea that it will be something that's just mine from her.

I thought I was possessive with my businesses, with Victoria's safety, with my men's loyalty, but with Luna? I want all her emotions for myself, I want all her upsets, I want to be her first and last thought when she wakes and when she goes to sleep. I want every cell to vibrate only for me.

I'm in trouble.

"I need to go to the office today, and I'd like you to come with me," I tell her while reluctantly pulling away from her.

She doesn't ask for more details, just gets out of bed and gets ready too.

?

At breakfast, Victoria stares at me, grinning from ear to ear.

"Did you get stuck?" I ask while pouring coffee.

"Seeing you relaxed and next to your girlfriend, in our kitchen, drinking coffee? Obviously I'm stuck. Who are you and what have you done with my brother?" she asks me, the last sentence said in a skeptical tone while pointing the butter knife at me as a threat.

A laugh escapes me and I ruffle her hair. She sticks her tongue out at me and her freckles, more diminished in the autumn months, now stand out against her skin.

Luna is red in her chair, drinking her coffee. I step toward her and bend to hold her waist. The smell of jasmine floodsmy nose, and I close my eyes, trying to memorize it. All her perfumes please me. Today jasmine, yesterday chocolate, a few days ago something like exotic fruits. Any perfume that envelops her seems enticing, and apparently my erection feels the same.

I down the coffee and leave quickly, with Luna following me, so I don't give in to the temptation to return to the bedroom with her and solve the problem in my pants.

?

The drive is quiet, and I manage to confirm with Niko that he's already there. When I get to my office, I see Felix wearing another one of his weird suits, purple and green this time.

"The boss demon is waiting for you in your office," he tells us and hands Luna and me each a coffee.

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