Page 33 of Ours

“Truly?” she asked, eyeing him critically.

“Absolutely,” he answered without skipping a beat. “Just think about it, Lexi. You’re strong and intelligent. You’re resourceful and resilient...you’re kind and—”

“But I’ve killed people!” she exclaimed.

Letting out a breath, he moved in close to her. He admired that she still had a conscience, but hated how it lowered her self-esteem. She had the ability to be great, it was a pity.

“Well, technically,youhaven’t,” he replied. “But besides that, every single life taken was one that didn’t deserve to be here—”

“Leo did!” she said, narrowing her green eyes. “He was agoodman and—”

“That was different, Lexi. That was a situation beyond your control. You did what you had to do to survive. To make sure that our daughter survived. Try not to dwell on it. Nothing canchange the past, it’s best to let it die,” he said, knowing he needed to distract her from her dead husband. “Now, let’s go back to your question. Do I really think you’ll be a good mom? No, I don’t think you will be...Iknowyou will be.”

Pulling her lower lip between her teeth, she let his words sink in. He was right, it was time for her to let Leo go. She had made the correct decision at the slaughterhouse. She did what she had to in order to keep her daughter alive. Exactly what any good mother would.

“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft.

“Yeah, of course,” he replied, giving her a sweet smile. Wanting to distract her from the heavy topic, he lifted his hands and shook the ice cream and pickle jar in front of her face. “So, little mama. Are you hungry?”

Looking at the snacks he brought, she couldn’t help but laugh. It was so cliche. “Pickles and ice cream...really?”

Shrugging his broad shoulders, he plopped the containers on the bed next to her thigh. “What? I thought all pregnant women craved them?” he said, pulling a spoon from his back pocket.

Shaking her head, she smirked at him before taking the spoon. He seemed so genuine in his answer, she had to give him credit for the effort.

“Perhaps separately but not together. At least I haven’t, so far,” she said, grabbing the pint of ice cream. “Ooh! Cookies and cream, my favorite!”

Picking up the pickle jar, Demetri leaned over and placed it upon the nightstand. He could’ve sworn that every pregnant womansustained themselves on a diet of pickles and ice cream. Ah well, live and learn.

“Do you want me to run back into the kitchen and grab some gummy bears?” he asked.

Scooping out a spoonful of ice cream, she felt her heart skip a beat. She was equally creeped out and turned on. Only those closest to her knew about her need to have gummy bears with her ice cream. Especially after a particularly awful day.

“I would say yes, but I don’t really want to waste what time we have left together,” she said, giving him a tiny grin before taking a bite from her spoon.

Carefully moving his body behind her, Demetri gently placed his hands on her slim shoulders. As soon as his fingers touched her, he felt a spark radiate between them. He wondered how the rest of her body would feel beneath his touch.

“Good. I don’t, either,” he replied. “May I rub your back?”

Swallowing her mouthful, she shivered under Kade’s touch. Glancing over her shoulder, she froze for a moment as she caught the loving look on his otherwise hardened face. She didn’t fully understand why he was acting so sweet to her all of the sudden. Maybe there was a chance that he wasn’t a complete monster, after all?

“Please?” she asked before turning her attention back to her ice cream.

Snickering to himself, Demetri slowly began to work his large hands across her back. Inching his warm touch, he kneaded his fingers into a large knot under her right shoulder blade. “You’re holding onto too much stress.”

Lexi snorted, the knee jerk reaction almost causing her to choke on her dessert. Coughing down the ice cream, she slapped her open palm against her chest and let out a strangled laugh.

“Really? Gee, I can't imagine why!”

Joining in with a laugh of his own, he continued to move his fingers down her spine until reaching the hem of the cotton shirt resting at her waist. Gliding his hands under the fabric, he smoothed his palms over her bare skin. It was good that she could findsomesort of humor in the situation.

“Well, please try to relax tonight.” he said, tenderly massaging her semi-tense muscles.

“Any idea on how I can do that?” she asked flirtily, dropping her spoon into the half-eaten tub of ice cream.

Leaning down, he gently pressed his lips against the shell of her ear. He was a little surprised that she was making things so easy for him, but he wasn’t going to complain. “I can think of a few things,” he whispered hotly.

Licking her lips, Lexi felt her heartbeat quicken in excitement. How did he have the power to turn her on with a single sentence? She was always at a disadvantage against him. It wasn’t fair.

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