Page 61 of Hers to Keep

He set a hand on either side of her and met her gaze.“I’ve never been in a position where I am responsible for someone’s well-being before, and the idea that I might let you down or hurt you somehow without knowing terrifies me.”

Mari wrapped her arms around his neck.“Well, lucky for you, I have four other boyfriends who are all very good at taking care of the soft parts of me.”She buried her hands in his hair, enjoying the texture of it flowing through her fingers.“You don’t have to take responsibility for my heart.Why don’t you let me take care of yours?”

His fiery blue eyes widened.“What?”

“I have so many people looking after me.”She pressed a gentle kiss to his jaw.“You don’t have anyone.You never have.”

His expression eased.“Every time I think I understand what’s happening between us, you say something like that and make me question everything.”

Mari smoothed her hands down through his silver hair and smiled.How was it always so soft and never tangled?She suspected some sort of devilry at the heart of it.“I understand.You’ve never let yourself be vulnerable in a relationship before, but you can with me.”

Ashdei looked away, obviously uncomfortable talking about his feelings.She let him go as he busied himself finding a washcloth and letting the water run to warm it.When he came back to her, she sat quietly while he wiped her face and neck, content to let him avoid the conversation in the caring of her, if that’s what made him feel safe.

He had trouble meeting her eyes again, but finally managed after he’d finished cleaning her and helped straighten her clothes.“I want you to know how much I appreciate you taking this chance on me, even though I didn’t give you much reason to trust me at first.”

She took his hand, interlacing her fingers with his.“I don’t think of it as taking a chance.I’m just waiting for you to realize that I’ve got you.No matter what.”

A long sigh escaped him, but he looked easier than he had before.“Trusting someone else is going to take some getting used to.”

Mari lifted his hand to her mouth.“I can wait as long as it takes.”

Chapter 20

WhenAshdeistrolledintofamily dinner for the first time a few days later, Mari almost fell out of her seat.Like Dohal, he mostly preferred to keep to himself.He tolerated the other men because he knew it was required to spend time with her, but with the exception of the party, he’d never seemed much for gatherings of any kind.

Several of the people around the table watched him warily, but no one said anything as he came up behind her chair and leaned to kiss the top of her head.I missed you, he whispered into her mind.She felt how much the simple touch soothed him and smiled.

Ashdei rested his hand on her shoulder and looked over the room.His eyes stopped when he came to Luis.“Well, it’s certainly a surprise to find you here.Do they know where you are?”

Mari sat up straighter.Who exactly were they?And why were they looking for Luis?Was this yet another enemy who would come for them?She didn’t ask any of the questions on the tip of her tongue because Luis looked pained by the reminder.

“No, and I’d like to keep it that way.”He frowned, his shoulders drawing up.“Do I need to offer you something to keep my confidence?”

Ashdei closed his eyes briefly and seemed to come to a decision.“No.Call it a favor for my beloved.No one will hear of you from me.”

Luis tilted his head.“A demon who doesn’t want anything in exchange for a secret kept?That’s novel.”

Ashdei flashed his fangs.“I have other things to occupy my attention.”

Willow, who sat next to Luis, watched the exchange between them first with trepidation and then with curiosity.Did the sphinx know something Mari didn’t about what was going on?

“Ahh, yes.I had heard that you had taken up with our hostess.”Luis slid a glance her way before returning to Ashdei.“She seems a bit too wholesome to be your type, but I suppose your tastes might have changed over the centuries.”

Mari choked on her drink.

Shall I tell him how wholesome you were on the desk when you were moaning around my cock?Ashdei purred into her head.

Her face heated with a blush, and she put down the glass in a hurry so she wouldn’t drop it.

Ashdei’s grin was sinful.“I don’t think my tastes have changed so much as I’ve now realized what’s important.”

Luis nodded.“That makes sense.Sometimes it takes us a while to realize that the patterns we’re caught in are bad for us.In any case, I’m thankful for your keeping of my secret and glad that you’ve found a person who makes you want to be better.”

Ashdei started.“I hadn’t thought about it that way, but that’s exactly what she is.”He crouched next to her and wrapped his arms around her.“Someone who makes me want to be better.Do better.”He rested his head on her shoulder and hugged her.

It was the showiest display of affection he’d ever made in a room that wasn’t just her and her men, and it made Mari want to push him down onto the table and do the most wicked things to him.

You sent that one loud and clear, he chuckled into her head.Shall I carry you out of here on my shoulder so they think I’m to blame because you’re so wholesome?

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