"And they were. Every single one of them."
"What you went through would have broken anyone else."
"It did break me, too," I remind her.
"But deep down, you wanted to survive. You wanted a way out."
"You," he says simply. "You were my way out. I saw you and knew it. And fought it every step of the way. But you carried me along, kicking and screaming. I resisted, knowing I wasn’t going to win this fight." He lowers his chin to his chest and presses his hand to the spot above my heart. "I wanted to win your heart but had no idea how to go about it. Indeed, the more I tried, the more it seemed I pushed you away. The more I wanted to win you over, the more I resisted that instinct. The more I wanted to be like your book boyfriends, the more I seemed to act more like the villain in a story."
"My favorites." I sigh.
He starts. "Don’t think I heard that right."
"Haven’t you realized by now, I’m drawn to the bad boy? The alphahole, the badass hero who’s possessive to a fault and who’ll do anything for his woman."
He raises his head and looks into my eyes. "You don’t have to humor me, Little Dove. I’ve been worse than a villain toward you. I’ve been obnoxious and mean, and someone who should be covered in red flags."
"Stop. If you say anymore, I might have to jump you right now, and that would be embarrassing."
He shakes his head. "You’re a strange girl, Little Dove. I’m trying to tell you all the reasons we shouldn’t be together."
"And you forget that I fell for Draco. He’s far more interesting than Harry Potter."
He frowns. "Meaning?"
"I have a thing for toxic boyfriends in not only my book life, but also in real life."
His lips twitch. "You realize, I’m not going to be like Draco anymore."
"Just as long as you’re Draco in bed, and Harry Potter everywhere else."
His forehead crinkles. "I think I understand what you’re saying. You should know one thing, though."
"What’s that?"
"I’m not ready to sleep with you… Yet."
"Wha—"
Before I can say anything else, he’s hauled me to my feet and is striding through the apartment, Tiny dogging his steps. He walks into his bedroom, then glances over his shoulder. “Sit, boy.”
Tiny sinks down on his haunches, and Knight kicks the door shut in Tiny’s face. “Aww, you could have let him in.”
“He’s had his fill of you; it’s my turn now,” he growls.
“Are you jealous of Tiny?” I choke out a laugh.
He huffs, “Of course not.” He heads straight through to the ensuite, where he places me on the counter next to the sink.
"Stay." He points a finger at me, then hesitates. "Please." He shakes his head, the muses, "I think I've been spending too much time around Tiny."
I nod, slightly amused by how hard he’s trying and how out of character it seems. I don’t want him to carry this new side of himself too far. I did say I want a Draco in bed, didn’t I? Do I need to be clearer about what that means? Surely, he understands I like that dominant side of him, and the kinky side of him too, when it comes to fucking me? I do want him to make love to me, but I also want him to take me so hard, I see stars. I squeeze my thighs together.
He arches an eyebrow at that but doesn’t comment. Instead, he pulls out his phone, and swipes the screen. The next second, a familiar tune begins to play over the speakers.
"Is that—？"
He nods. "The motion picture soundtrack from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two."
The familiar strains of Hedwig’s Theme fill the space. Goosebumps pop on my skin. The hair on my forearms rises. He tilts his head, and the expression on his features indicates he understands how deeply this music affects me. It reminds me of a time when I was young and innocent, when everything was possible. Everything is possible now, with him, in this space. With this complex man who hides his sensitive heart, I can have anything I want. He leans in, kisses my forehead, then moves away. I watch as he lights the candles he’s dotted around the bath, then retrieves a jar of bath bombs, tosses them into the bath, then runs the water. The scent of roses fills the air, infused with subtle notes of coconut and vanilla.
"You found the ones I love," I murmur.
"I had some help."
"Mira?"
He nods. "I reached out to her and told her how much of an ass I’d been. I begged her for help. She didn’t agree, at first; I had to persuade her." He pretends to wipe sweat from his brow. "That woman put me through the wringer with her grilling." He lowers his hand. "I’ve been interrogated by the enemy, but her questions were far more difficult to answer."
I chuckle. "She’s protective."
"She’s a good friend."
"So is Gio. I may not know her well, but she’s turned out to be someone I can rely on."
"I’m glad." He turns off the tap and switches off the lights, leaving the space bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, then walks over and holds out his hand. "May I?"
68
Knight
She places her hand in mine. It’s so slim, so fragile, once again I’m struck by how much smaller than me she is. I tug, and she falls toward me. Instantly, I wrap my other arm about her waist and pick her up. She wraps her legs about me, twines her arms around my neck and nestles in. I carry her over to the bathtub, but she doesn’t let go.
"Sweetheart, you need to release me."
She shakes her head.
"The bath will help you relax so you can sleep well."
"But I don’t want to sleep, I’d rather—" She rocks her pelvis into the crotch of my sweatpants. No surprise there. Of course I’m aroused. Doesn’t mean I’m going to act on it.
"This is about you, baby. I need to make up for all the times I’ve been an asshole to you."
"Hmm." She fits her core over the bulge, and my knees threaten to buckle. I manage to stay upright and try to school my expression into one of disapproval. She merely curves those beautiful lips, then pushes her breasts into me. Her nipples are little bullets of delight that threaten to tear into my flesh. A wound I’d accept gladly. "I prefer you be an asshole in bed. In fact…" She tilts her head. "Part of your appeal is that you are this mean, moody, glowering, grumpy alphahole."
I laugh. "Only, I’ve promised myself I’m going to change. You deserve to be treated like the queen you are. You deserve to have all of your wishes fulfilled. You deserve to have a life where you can get anything you want. I promise you, I’ll ensure no one ever hurts you again, including me. I promise to protect and love and cherish you, and keep you in the style you deserve. I promise—"
"To fuck me?"
I smile wider. "Not today."
Her lips turn downward.
"Let me indulge you, baby. Let me show you how good I can make you feel."
"Since you’re being so persuasive…" She hesitantly releases her grip on me, and I lower her to the floor. Then, I reach for her cardigan and slide it off her shoulders, followed by her T-shirt, then her pink sweatpants. When she stands naked in front of me, except for her bra and panties made of some frothy pink lace, I almost forget about my promise. Almost. This time, I’m not going to be greedy. This time, I’m focused on her to the exclusion of everything else. When I’m with her, my needs don’t count. The only thing that counts is her.