Page 37 of Your Sharpest Edge
But he was her husband. This was supposed to happen.
“I’m so scared,” she whispered, her voice shaking.
“Me too,” I confessed.
She looked up at me, her skates half undone.
“Did we... somehow hurt the baby by skating?”
“I think it’s okay.” She swallowed. Her blue eyes were glistening from tears.
“I-I don’t know what to say.” I didn’t know what to say or how to say that I was sad. Would this be the end of our friendship?
I didn’t know . . .
“Please don’t stop being my friend,” she begged, her arms reaching toward mine. “I’m so scared.”
In that instant, guilt washed over me, making me feel selfish for my emotional response. How could I have forgotten about the bruise I found on her? How could I have thought only about myself and not considered how this might make her feel?
I moved closer and took her trembling hands in mine. “I’m here,” I said softly. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
I didn’t know if I’d be able to keep that promise, even though I’d said it aloud. I wanted her, and watching her raise anotherman’s baby, especially Dimitri’s, might be the hardest thing I’d ever have to see. But I also knew I wanted her to be safe, and I wanted her in my life.
Her grip tightened. “I don’t want to lose my friend. Everything is going to change.”
She intertwined her fingers with mine as I held my hands out for her, allowing her the space she needed.
“I’m right here,” I whispered. “I have to ask, Anastasia...”
She shook her head. “Please don’t.”
I grabbed her fingers as she tried to pull away. “Are you okay? Is this something you want?”
She nodded. “I want a child. I... just...” She hiccuped as the sobs wracked her body.
“I can help you,” I offered. We had never talked about that night, at least not until now.
Whatever she needed, I was ready to give.
She shook her head again. “No. Dimitri is my husband. You are my friend.” She pulled her hands away from mine and wiped her tears.
I had to respect him, even as I considered if anyone in the Bratva owed me a favor.
She was right. She was his, and the best way to protect her was to be her friend, no matter what.
“Am I... just your friend?” I asked, my voice hoarse.
I moved closer to her and, without thinking, reached up to cradle her face. My fingers caressed her skin. Her deep blue eyes locked onto mine, searching for any sign to pull away, but there was none.
“Answer me, Anastasia,” I whispered, my mouth hovering over hers.
Her pink lips parted, her long lashes fluttering as my heartbeat quickened. I didn’t move, desperate for her to say thewords I needed to hear. I needed her to tell me she’d leave him. I needed her to tell me that she could be mine.
I brushed my thumb across her lower lip, feeling its softness. The air between us crackled with anticipation, every breath we took synced in rhythm. Her scent, a mix of vanilla and honey, filled my senses, drawing me even closer. The warmth of her skin beneath my touch ignited a primal sense deep within me. I had an overwhelming desire to close the distance between us, to claim what my heart already knew was mine.
“No.” She shook her head as if suddenly the trance we were in was broken. “No. Alex. I-I?—”
When she sighed in my arms, the line was drawn in the sand. So, I did the right thing. I pulled away.
