Page 120 of The Dark Obsession

At first, I was reluctant to drag her into the darkness with me, hating the thought of tainting her innocence but then I saw the glint in her eyes. My roughness turned her on.

That’s when it all fell into place.

She’s always been meant for me to own. This is where both of us were meant to end up, in each other’s arms.

A sense of wholeness washes over me as I hold her until the sun rises, early rays of light filling the living room.

Every now and then, Malory kisses the scars on my shoulders that my shirt doesn’t cover, gently caressing the raised skin with her soft lips.

She always does this when we’re cuddling, like she wants to erase the pain behind those marks. And I’m starting to believe that if anyone can actually do it, then it’s her.

After I told her about my childhood, allowed her to see the true me lurking beneath the surface, I expected her to recoil, to finally run.

Not that I would have let her.

Yet there was only compassion in those big, emerald eyes of hers. And trust.

Trust that I don’t deserve.

Not at all.

I couldn’t risk breaking her when I first brought her here, uprooting her life more than I already have. So I left out a few familial ties and gory details until she’s ready to hear them.

At least for now.

I should have taught her how to use the gun after that fact, because she’s going to want to kill me once she finds out the whole truth.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Malory

“Stay down here. No peeking, little one.”

With a quick peck to my lips Tyson rushes upstairs while I finish preparing dinner.

The man hasn’t left my side all day since my breakdown this morning, concerned that his absence would trigger me once more.

He even made me sit on his lap while he cleaned and put away his weapons.

Not that I’m complaining.

There’s nothing I need more at the moment than his reassurance.

There’s no better feeling than having somebody who truly cares about you, who’s your safe place.

And Tyson is that person for me.

Unlike my parents who put their own ambition above their child’s needs.

I had to be kidnapped by an emotionless hitman to realize what affection truly looks like.

Real and pure, where the other person isn’t seeking anything in return. They want you for who you are and that’s enough.

Loud shuffling sounds from above, making me wonder what Tyson is up to since it sounds like he’s moving furniture.

Shaking my head with a smile, I take out two bowls from the cabinets.

I’ve been trying a lot of new recipes, but this is one I’ve been coming back to the most.

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