Because I know one day that he will say it back and mean it with every fiber in his being.
***
It’s eleven-thirty when we return after having dinner with my family. My mom was over the moon at my impromptuvisit, especially for bringing over an extra guest she could feed. Meanwhile, both mydaduand dad were delighted to meet the man who helped me hire the home nurse and thank him.
Throughout the night, I kept stealing glances at Kian. My family couldn’t tell, but I knew he was overwhelmed by the treatment he received from them. Half the time, he gazed at us like we were alien creatures because of how loud and energetic we were. It was an experience he had never felt, but deserved.
My brooding man deserves a family who cherishes the ground he walks on. Come hell or high water, I will give him one.
Exiting the elevator onto our floor, we walk into the apartment and go straight to the guest room where I kept my suitcase. I had brought the diary here, so my mom doesn’t accidentally get her hands on it while cleaning my room back at home.
“When you see Nathan, let him believe his backstabbing worked,” says Kian from behind me.
I stop and look at him.
How did he read my mind?
“He isn’t thinking clearly, Iris. He blackmailed you and then used the same secret to turn me against you. If he finds out it didn’t work, he will do something reckless. I don’t want to see you get hurt by him more than you already have.”
“Okay.” I hate that he’s right. With the information I learned today, Nathan won’t let me back out of our union without severe repercussions. “I have to be at the opening party of Rosa’s animal shelter next week. Nathan and I will have to show up together.”
Kian’s jaw tightens ever so slightly.
“If it wasn’t for Rosa, you know I wouldn’t go,” I say apologetically, when he stays silent and broody.
The vein in his temple stops throbbing as his features relax. Bridging the distance, he runs a knuckle down my cheek. “Iknow. It’s only temporary. I’m counting down the days until we don’t have to hide.”
“Me too.”
Turning around, I take him to the walk-in closet. Kneeling on the carpet, I pull out my suitcase and flip it open. Unzipping the pocket, I extract the old and tattered diary. The brown leather is torn at the edges, but the pages inside are intact. Except for the ones cruelly ripped out.
As I run my hand over it, I don’t get the same satisfaction I usually do after solving a mystery.
It represents the love lost between a mother and her son.
Standing up, I pass it to Kian. “Here.”
He stares at it with a vacant look, like it’s a skeleton he’d rather lock back in the closet. Tearing his gaze away, he takes my hand. “Let’s go.”
He goes upstairs to his office with the diary while I trudge into his bedroom. I make my way to the bathroom, removing my clothes along the way, and step naked into the shower. I tilt my head as the water sprays down on me, feeling divine against my tired muscles.
Large hands roam over my ass and the body heat circling me from behind sends an electric shiver down my back. I sigh in pleasure as Kian’s front presses flush against me, while his intimidating erection gets trapped against the small of my back.
The memory of holding him in my palm is engraved into my psyche. His size equally frightens and excites me. It’s a good thing I enjoy the bite of pleasurable pain he inflicts, because I don’t want him holding back his sadistic urges.
I reach back, wrapping an arm around his waist. His fingers explore the countless love bites and marks he left on my skin this morning. Caressing his initials on my hip, he grabs the bodywash off the shelf, and squeezes a small portion on his palm before lathering me up.
I do the same to him, kissing my name on his chest along the way. His hand drifts into my hair, while I leisurely stroke and rub every hard ridge. Rinsing off the suds, followed by drying off with towels, he carries me nude to the bed.
After laying me down on the left side, he climbs in and bundles me against him.
Somebody loves to cuddle.
Kissing the top of my head, he whispers, “Sleep, Rainbow.”
Chapter Nine
Iris
