Page 32 of Ours

Uh huh,his alter replied.

“Oh, shut the fuck up Demetri!” he growled, stepping up to the looking glass. “You’re just trying to get under my skin! Well, it’s not going to work!”

Would you get your head out of your ass for just one second?! This isn’t about you or me. This is about Lexi. She needs some reassurance,Demetri countered, switching the direction of the conversation.She needs to feel like you’ll come back to her, come hell or high water. Besides the baby, you are all she has left right now. She needs to be loved and comforted.

“Yeah? Well, it’s a fucking good thing that I intend on doing just that, huh?” he bit back.

Holy shit! You have no clue what lovemaking is! You only know how to fuck and she’s far too exhausted for that,Demetri criticized.I, on the other hand, know exactly what to do...if you let me step in for just an hour, I’ll make her so satisfied, she won’t even think of putting up a fight when you get ready to leave.

“Fuck that! She’s mine!” he hissed.

Of course she is. I’m not debating that. I’m the one that let you keep her, remember?Demetri replied.

“Then why do you want her?” he asked, glaring at his mirrored face.

Because it will benefit us all, Kade. Think about it for just a second, alright? She wants this, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked. You want this because you know it will clear your conscience...and I want this...well...we both know why.

“How can I be sure you won’t hurt her?” he asked.

Well, I suppose you can’t. My track record isn’t the best, I admit, but she’s good for you. She’s good for us. I want to keep her around,Demetri said truthfully.

Staring at his own image, Kade struggled with what he should do. He was dumbfounded over the fact that he was actually giving his alter’s idea a second thought.

You know I’m right. Forget our history...forget our rivalry...don’t you want her to feel good, tonight? To feel loved? Don’t you want her to finally realize that you belong to her as much as she belongs to you?

“Yes,” he admitted.

Then give me an hour with her,Demetri said, knowing he was on the verge of getting his revenge.Just one hour and we’ll be even. You have my word, Kade. I won’t hurt her or the baby.

Narrowing his brown eyes, he carefully weighed Demetri’s offer. There was a chance that he was lying to gain control; he knew damn well that his alter was feeling itchy again. It was a chance he needed to take, though. This would wipe all their slates clean. And while he hated to admit it, she deserved the attention he knew Demetri would give her. It sickened him to no end, but for once, his alter was right.

“We’d be even?” he asked.

Even steven,Demetri replied.I’ll stay hidden away until you need me, again.

Hunching his broad shoulders, Kade growled in frustration. He couldn’t believe he was agreeing to. He must really love her to put her needs before his own.

“You have one hour.”

...

Wiggling her body towards the center of the king-sized bed, Lexi yanked the hair tie from her ponytail and raked her hand through her tangled locks. She knew she looked like a frumpy whale wearing Kade’s t-shirt instead of one of the many silk nighties hanging in the closet, but she couldn’t care less. His cotton V-neck was comfortable and large enough to cover her stomach. It was a win in her book.

Crawling under the plush comforter, she allowed herself a moment to process the day’s events. She didn’t understand why the universe continued to throw vicious curveballs her way. Perhaps it was karma for all the evil things she had done over the past decade of her life.

“You know...you’re the onlygoodthing I’ve ever done,” she said, looking down at her pronounced stomach. “I’ve always hoped that someday, I would have a daughter. Shocking, I know...especially because I’m not exactly the girliest girl...but it’s true! I’m so excited to put you in frilly dresses and have tea parties with you. I’ll teach you how to sing and how to make chocolate chip cookies. God. I’m so happy that you’re mine. I hope you believe me. I promise you that I will be the best mommy I can be. I’ll protect you and love you in the ways that I wasn’t. I swear to you that I will.I swear it.”

Nudging open the bedroom door, Demetri slowly entered holding a pint of ice cream in one hand, and a jar of pickles in the other. Honing his warm brown eyes on Lexi, he leaned his head to the side.

“What do you swear?” he asked, walking towards the bed.

Lifting her gaze to Kade, she gave a tiny shrug of her shoulders. “Oh, I was just telling our daughter that I’ll do my best with her.”

Climbing onto the mattress, Demetri carefully scooted his large form towards her. For a split second, he almost felt guilty for stealing this moment from Kade. Almost.

“Of course you will. You’re going to make a wonderful mother. I couldn’t ask for a better role model for her,” he said honestly.

Surprised by his statement, her mouth fell open in disbelief. She honestly never expected him to ever say that to her. It was probably the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her, but she didn’t buy it. How could he possibly believe she was a good role model?

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