Page 116 of Savage Hearts
“That I was about to be featured on an episode ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
After a short pause, he starts to laugh. It’s a purely masculine sound, belly deep and genuine.
I love it.
“I’m surprised you know that reference, considering your hatred of TVs.”
“I never said I hated television. I just don’t have one here.”
“Do you have one at your place in Moscow?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. Why not here?”
He slides his hand from my belly to my breast, cupping it gently and thumbing over my nipple until it hardens. His voice drops.
“Because this is my sanctuary. The only things I keep here are ones I can’t be without.”
I close my eyes, turn my face to his neck, and wait until my heart has resumed beating to say, “So you watch American crime shows, huh?”
“They’re very entertaining. Your criminals are the stupidest in the world.”
“They’re notmycriminals.”
He cups my jaw and kisses my forehead. “No. You only have one of those.”
I roll onto my side and cuddle up against him. He gives me a big squeeze. A few minutes of comfortable silence pass, then I whisper, “I almost got eaten by a bear, Mal.”
“Bears don’t eat people. They just slash them to pieces.”
“That’s great,” I say drily. “Thank you.”
“Do you want me to put its stuffed head on the wall where the elk’s used to be?”
“So I can be retraumatized every time I look at it? Pass.”
“You don’t seem traumatized.”
I smile into his chest. “Maybe an orgasm is the cure for PTSD.”
“Or maybe the little boss bitch Khaleesi’s got nothing on my waif.”
“Waif?”
“That’s what I call you in my head sometimes. The demon waif.” After a beat, he says, “Is that bad?”
“Let me overthink it for a minute.”
“Because I don’t want you to be offended.”
“Oh, sure. Who would be offended by being described as a skinny stray from hell?”
“It’s interesting how you made that sound like a death threat.”
“I’m multitalented. Wait until you see me juggle chain saws while aiming a flamethrower at your head.”
He laughs again. Because I’m pressed against his chest, I feel the rumble of it beneath my cheek and can’t help but smile.
