Her arms slid around his neck, and she surrendered to him wholly. Gave him everything. Offered him the world, and he didn’t care what kind of dick he was—he was taking what she was offering, and he would treasure her, do his best to keep her happy. And he would protect her with his life.
He poured possession into his kiss. Gave her fire for fire. Held her as close as possible without breaking her with his strength. She felt perfect to him.
Maestro lifted his head just enough to rest his forehead against hers. “I’ve never had perfection. I didn’t know it even existed.”
“I’m not perfect.”
“You are for me.” He pressed his lips against her forehead and then each temple. “I had no idea I had it in me to feel this way about anyone. When I think of some of the idiotic advice I gave my brothers or said to their women, I’m thoroughly ashamed of myself. I’m sure when you meet them, they’ll tell you all about it and I’ll look like a dick.”
“You aren’t a dick.”
“I am, baby. I just hope that side of me stays hidden until you’re sure of us and you can trust me to make up for my foul temper, controlling ways and idiocy when it comes to a relationship.” He forced himself to do the right thing. “I’ve got to go before it’s too late.”
Her arms tightened around him, and she looked up at him with the most amazing expression—one of near adoration. He didn’t deserve it, but he was going to take it.
“What if I don’t want you to go?”
The blush of her skin was like a rose blooming to him. She was so beautiful he ached inside. She was embarrassed to ask him to stay, but she still gave him that.
“I don’t want to go either, Solnyshkuh, but you aren’t ready. The kind of relationship I want with you is based on trust, not sex. Although we’re going to fuck a hell of a lot. When you trust me enough to live with my flaws, I’ll take care of you, baby.”
A little shiver had gone through her body at his crude declaration, but she didn’t pull away. If anything, she moved closer, clung tighter, held on. “Perfection,” he murmured and didn’t dare risk kissing her again. He had always been a man with control, but she seemed able to rob him of that iron discipline he’d learned in the school from hell. “I’m leaving now, Zelie, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He turned abruptly and walked out before she could remind him she had classes all day and an appointment with Billows. Before he could lose his resolve and stay to fuck her all night. To hold her close and let her in further.
SEVEN
China Christian caught Azelie’s hand as she made her way to the counter at the coffee shop. “Tell us. We’re dying to know. We know you went out on a date with Mr. Hottie. Sit here, honey. We’ve waited for days.”
Blanc Christian nodded. “At our age, that kind of anticipation could take years off our lives, and we can’t afford it. I’ll get your drink, and you just park yourself right here.”
Penny Atwater patted the chair beside her. “We snagged the best table so the four of us could sit together.”
“Did you have out-of-this-world wild sex?” China persisted.
“China Annabelle Christian,” Blanc chided, sounding shocked. Then she leaned forward. “Well, did you? Was he to die for?”
“Is he as good in the sack as he looks like he would be?” Penny asked, her voice a little breathless.
“I am not the kind of woman to kiss and tell.” Azelie did her best to keep laughter from bubbling to the surface, but it was impossible when the three women looked so crestfallen.
“I’m getting her drink,” Blanc said, rising. “Sister, you work on her. I’ll never be able to sleep again if she doesn’t give us the 411.”
Azelie laughed. “You three are horrible.”
“No, dear.” Penny shook her head solemnly. “We need to live vicariously through you.”
China’s eyes were dancing with glee. “It’s so true, Azelie. I was a beauty in my younger years and could have my pick of men. Your Andrii would have been my number one choice. I would have done anything to make him mine.”
Blanc had hurried back after putting in the order for Azelie’s coffee. “What did I miss? Seriously, Azelie, I can’t afford to lose any more sleep over this. I know you gave Shaila a big box and asked her to hold it for your man. He came in a couple of days ago to retrieve the box.”
“We begged Shaila to open it and peek inside,” China continued. “She wouldn’t do it.”
“I even tried to bribe her and David,” Penny admitted. “They said absolutely not.”
“I’ll have to thank them for keeping my confidence,” Azelie said, using her primmest tone. “At least they have morals when it comes to other people’s business.”
Blanc wasn’t in the least offended. She waved her hand in the air as if shooing away a bothersome fly. “Morals be damned,” she stated. “You have to live this life, Azelie. Grab on with both hands. That man is the kind of man who will give you hell, but hold on tight to him because the dance will be worth it.”
“Or he’s the kind of man who will cut out your heart and leave you with nothing.” Azelie shared her worst fear. “I don’t have it in me to go from man to man. And he isn’t the kind of man who can leave a woman unscathed if he left, at least a woman like me.”
There was a small silence while the merry widows digested that information. It was the most information about herself she’d confided to the women in all the years she’d been coming to the coffee shop. They seemed to be taken aback by her revelation.
Shaila called out Azelie’s name. Blanc immediately rose and hurried to the counter to get the iced latte that they all knew was Azelie’s favorite drink. Azelie had cash out to pay her back for the coffee, but Blanc shoved it back across the table at her.
“You buy us coffee often,” Blanc said firmly. “I think we can afford to buy yours once in a while.”
“Are you afraid of Andrii?” China asked gently. There was no hint of amusement in her tone. She was very serious.
“No, not like that. I think it’s possible he would hurt someone if he thought they were upsetting me. He’s a little on the overprotective side. But…” She trailed off.
The three women waited, showing extraordinary patience when Azelie hadn’t realized they were capable of such a thing. All three had sobered at her confession. A part of her felt warm and wished she had been able to connect with them on a more personal level sooner.
“Tell us, dear,” Penny insisted. “You have us to look out for you.”
The Christian sisters nodded in agreement. “We’re very experienced,” China added. “Between the three of us and the era we grew up in, we’ve seen and become very knowledgeable about the ways of men. And we’re very good at confidentiality, despite the teasing we just subjected you to. What you tell us remains with us.”
