Page 94 of High Stakes and Soulmates
“Ihaveto wait.”
“No. You have to live every moment of your life like it’syours. Don’t let him rule your life. That’s what he wants. If you want to ask me on a date, ask me on a date.”
Ezio’s quiet and I can feel the way his hands tremble. I tuck my head in the crook between his shoulder and neck and close my eyes. Why did I fight against this comfort for so long? It feels so damn good. Has anything ever felt this good? I’m not sure it has.
The tension that’d filled my body the moment that monster attacked me—or hell, maybe back when Louis attacked my home—was always following me, but now… now I feel more at peace than I ever have. Now if only I could help Ezio find the peace he so clearly deserves.
I can tell Ezio is crying, even if he’s completely silent. I don’t know if he’s crying for the brother he lost, the lover, or the fact that Louis is determined to start the cycle all over again. But I just tighten my arms and press him to me, hoping that I can offer him at least a bit of comfort.
“It’ll be okay. It might not feel like it. But it’ll be okay,” I whisper.
“I should be comforting you. You got fucking mauled by a werewolf. Your whole life is changing… I’ve dragged you into my bullshit.”
“I feel oddly happy,” I admit.
He chokes out a laugh. “How?”
“Because I didn’t realize how much I needed this,” I say as I hug him. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to be told that it was okay to need someone… to want someone… to be selfish. I don’t think I’ve ever felt better.”
“I’m pretty sure you have. You’ve beenmauled.”
“Physical wounds heal… it’s the wounds you can’t see that hurt the most.”
He kisses my hand again, and I don’t know if it’s because I feel so at ease or the drugs or the adrenaline washing off me, but I drift off to sleep in almost an instant.
When I wake up, I believe it’s the smell of food that does it.
“Why does it smell like heaven in here?” I murmur as I open my eyes. Judging by the light outside the window that’s safe for vampires, I haven’t been asleep overly long, but the spot in front of me is empty and I find myself strangely upset that Ezio is gone. My hand stretches out to the spot that’s grown cold.
“Oh! Good… uh… evening there,” Ezio says, startling me. I hadn’t even realized he wasinthe room. And did he get to watch me over here forlornly patting down his spot?
I eye him, a bit confused.
“I… was just wandering along and saw the most handsome man fast asleep,” he continues.
My eyebrow rises at this weird tale that seems to be happening. “You’re feeling better,” I realize. My eyes drift down from his face, taking himallin. “Are you wearing a suit?”
“I wanted to look the part when I asked you on a date.”
Then my eyes wander to what is definitely important here. “Is that steak?” I ask. “And do I only get it if I say yes?”
“Sure is. And sure will. I told Gustov he can have it if you say no. Julian cried that he wanted it, but I think it makes more of a point if I feed it to the dog.” Gustov, who must have followed the smell of food, sits by his side and wags his tail in agreement. Healsohas a bow tie on for some odd reason.
I snort as I slowly roll off my side and onto my back so I can ease myself into a sit. “So… if I agree to a date, I get the handsome yet ridiculous man in front of meanda steak?”
“You sure do.”
“Oh wow… I mean… I definitely can’t say no, then.”
“I didn’t think you could,” he says. “But I brought a box of tissues to swipe up my tears if you did.” He waves to the tissues.
“I was thinking those were for something else, but this is probably more appropriate.”
Ezio pauses and stares at me. “They… can… be… for something—noooo,you are a wounded man.”
I grin as I realize how exhausting it sounds to even get up. “Do I have to get out of this bed?”
“Absolutely not,” he says, reaching over and picking me up before setting me down on my side of the bed with the headboard against my back. This is something I’m positive I could have done myself, but he’s over here holding me like I’m glass and I feel like reminding him that I’m not breakable won’t do much. Then he tucks the blanket around my waist before he hurries over to the dish.
