Page 50 of Sweet Deception
Gleb stared at me for a long moment.
Then, slowly, as if testing the weight of it, he murmured, “...Anna.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
He had never said my name before.
I nodded. “Good. Now say it again.”
“Anna.” He sighed. “Come here.”
I hesitated.
He arched a brow.
Finally, I crawled back into his arms. His body heat seeped into me, easing the cold in my bones.
“Can your illness pass to me? I need to know.”
I blinked. “What?”
He exhaled. “If I could take it from you, I would.”
Something warm and unfamiliar stirred in my chest.
I forced myself to keep my voice steady. “Why?”
“Because I’m stronger.”
I swallowed. “I’m strong too.”
“I know.”
A deep, rumbling hmm vibrated from his chest, and he didn’t move.
Neither did I.
I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep until my eyes opened, I was still on his chest. His breathing was even, his grip on me loose, but when I shifted, his eyes cracked open instantly, sharp and alert. He hadn’t truly slept. He’d been waiting.
Nine hours had passed.
I sat up.
Gleb cracked his neck, stretching.
“Does it hurt?” I asked softly.
“Yeah. Not used to staying in one position for hours.”
A small, unexpected smile tugged at my lips.
As I got up to brush my teeth, he spoke. “There’s a new development.”
I turned. “...What?”
“My grandmother wants to see you.”
My stomach plummeted. His family.
