32. Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Z oya

“Thanks for cooking, but I’m not hungry. My stomach is still spasming from what happened in that parking lot. Not to mention the hours giving our statements to the police. Thank goodness that woman called 911 and showed the video to the police.”

“But the good news is that Samantha managed the meeting with the folks from the State Department while we were speaking with the police. Once she got word that I was cleared and Max charged and detained, I’m now your official sponsor.”

He looks pleased with himself, but he reads me so well. The moment he notices my sour expression, he pushes his chair back from the table, opens his arms to me, and nods. Wasting no time, I ease onto his lap, burrowing closer as he hugs me tight.

“So, you’re not hungry. Are you still going over the incident in your mind?”

“It’s one continuous loop,” my voice is plaintive, like a little girl’s wail.

“I know what helps me when I get like that. I move. Sometimes I walk or run or go to the weight room downstairs and lift things until my muscles shake.”

I don’t say anything because I don’t want to hurt his feelings, but the last thing I want to do right now—or ever—is lift weights.

“How about we walk to the park? I’ll push you on one of the swings.”

Something sparks in my chest as I remember lovely spring days at the park with my parents. That was before I left home and my country was invaded. I’d like to recapture some of those positive feelings. I’m so glad to be back in touch with them.

I pull myself to the present, gaze affectionately at Lash, and smile. “The park sounds perfect.”

Lash’s idea suits us all. Miska may be a pup, but she knows it’s time for a walk when Lash grabs her leash off a peg by the door.

“Whoa, little girl! We’re going, we’re going.” Lash laughs as he wrestles to get the leash clasped while Miska scampers around, so excited she makes the task harder.

Soon, we’re out the door and walking to the park. It’s almost like being back in my hometown, saying hello to people as we watch rambunctious children playing, even if they are nagas, orcs, minotaurs, and wolven instead of the humans I encountered in Ukraine.

The sun is setting as Lash ties Miska’s long leash to the foot of the swing, lifts me onto the seat, and pushes me. The families and kids have left to get home before dark, so it’s just me and Lash.

“Higher?”

“Yes!” I giggle as he pushes me almost even with the top bar, then I pump my legs to keep flying high. When was the last time I felt this good? This free?

Lash was right, Max fades into a memory, pictures of the gun stop spinning in my mind, and all the noise in my head reduces to a dull roar and finally disappears. It’s just Lash and me and Miska illuminated by the streetlamps.

My happy, calm emotions change suddenly as I pay better attention to Lash’s hands on me. He’s not trying to sexualize things, it’s just hard to keep from touching my bottom when he’s so diligently keeping me soaring.

After flying high for so long, I realize it’s time to touch down. I’m ready to return to our little apartment and celebrate my latest win.

“I have a new sponsor!” I shout, as though it was a newsflash. “Don’t you think we should follow the letter of the law, Lash? Aren’t we supposed to act like we’re engaged?”

My statement must have surprised him because he misses a beat and forgets to push me.

“Uh, we’re from different cultures, Zoya. What does that mean in Ukraine?”

“Slow me to a stop, Lash, and I’ll tell you.”

I don’t need to ask twice. Moments later, I’ve come to a full stop and I’ve bounded off the seat and am in his arms.

“Tell me more about your knot, Lash. You said it’s what happens when a couple mates. It’s more meaningful than regular sex.”

“Right, and I said we never had to—”

I cut him off with a kiss.

“You’ve given me something special, Lash. You’ve shown me that there’s nothing I’ll ever have to do to please you. But I want to do it… if it will fit.”

He makes a sound I’ve never heard before, part howl, part yip, and a sexual growl as his silver eyes flare wide, liquid mercury in the moonlight. He doesn’t pretend he’s unaffected. This male has so much self-confidence he allows me to see how profoundly I’ve touched him as he places his clawed hand over his heart, then leans close to drag his nose up the column of my neck, breathing me in as if my scent is pure magic.

“Shall we see, Starlight? Should we see if my knot will fit inside you?”

The deep, rumbly, sexy way he asks makes me reach out to grab onto his arms to keep my knees from buckling.

Instead of answering his question, all I say is, “I’ll race you home.”