Page 82 of Lady of Darkness
“You have four years until we put a baby in your belly. Until this,” he says slowly, as more come seeps out, “is the real deal.”
“And if I say no?” she asks, her voice husky.
He tilts his head and gives her a dark smile. “Don’t make us cut that implant out sooner.”
Her lips twitch. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Theo laughs. “Then you don’t know us very well, little monster.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
Harlow
After the guysclean me up, we exit the suite and make our way back to Blackwell. I toy with the idea of staying in London overnight, but Gemma is still staying with me, and I told her I’d be home late. My body is sore and tender, and my nerves are completely shot from the teasing and pounding–literalpounding. I can’t think about it for too long, otherwise I have to squeeze my legs together and take a few calming breaths.
I told them I loved them.
God, it’s crazy what I’ll do for an orgasm.
It wasn’t real… was it?
I glance at all of them–at Alaric and Gideon on their phones. At Theo with his laptop. At Sterling, who is looking out of the window as we drive out of London.
Do I really love them?
Sterling looks over at me, and something in my throat catches when he smiles. My stomach drops, and everything begins to tingle.
I remember how scared I was when Alaric saved me from the bomb. I remember how much I regretted baking those brownies. I remember how their expressions were a mix of anger and hurt–and how uncomfortable it made me to see them so wounded afterward.
But does that all equate to love? I’ve never been in love before. It’s a powerful word, especially when it comes to the Lords.
I fucking love all of you, okay?
My cheeks heat when I think about how easily I caved. How natural it felt, howgoodit felt to admit it.
Maybe I do love them. Maybe not. But I will, one day soon. You can’t have this kind of connection–this kind of tether between souls–without love. I think of what Alaric said a week ago.
Marriage is a piece of paper and a silly vow. This? This is divine. Eternal. It transcends everything else, Harlow.
When we get to Blackwell House, Alaric walks me to the door. It feels really fucking cute when he grabs my hand and pulls me close, leaning down and kissing me on the tip of the nose before saying goodnight.
I look up into his eyes, into the eyes of the man I maybe love.
Dangerous.
Murderer.
Sensual.
Caring.
Witty.
Ruthless.
All of his truths wrapped up into one. The good and the bad. The psychopath and the aristocrat. Two sides of one coin, both able to make me feel things I never even thought were possible. I swallow as he walks away, waving back at me. The lump in my throat is bigger now, and I open my front door and walk inside. When it’s shut and locked, I sigh and lean against the heavy wood barrier. I rub my chest and close my eyes, sighing again, when someone clears their throat.
Not someone.Two people.
