Chapter 35: I love You. I know Cara Mia

This wasn’t about control or dominance or training her body to crave him.

This was about showing her that she mattered. That she was more than just an obsession or a possession.

That she was becoming his entire world.

He kissed down her neck, over her collarbone, between her breasts. Took his time with each nipple, listening to the sounds she made, learning what made her arch into him.

"Dimitri," she breathed. "Please."

"Please what, cara?"

"Touch me. All of me."

His hand slid down her stomach, between her legs, and found her already wet. Always so responsive. Always so ready for him.

He pushed two fingers inside her, and she cried out, her hips lifting off the bed.

"Like this?" he murmured against her skin. "Is this what you need?"

"Yes. God, yes."

He worked her slowly, building the pleasure gradually instead of rushing her to the edge. Added a third finger, stretching her, preparing her.

Always preparing her.

Soon, he thought. Very soon, he’d give her what she’d been begging for. What he’d been denying both of them.

But not today. Today was about emotion, not just physical release. About showing her that this was more than just sex and control and possession.

This was love. Or as close to love as he knew how to give.

He brought her to the edge, held her there, and when she was trembling and begging, he finally let her fall.

She came with his name on her lips, her body convulsing around his fingers, her hands fisted in the sheets.

Beautiful.

He withdrew slowly, moved up to hold her while the aftershocks rolled through her.

"I love you," she whispered against his chest, the words soft but clear. "I know you’re not ready to say it back. But I need you to know. I love you, Dimitri."

His arms tightened around her, and for the first time in his adult life, Dimitri Valentino felt tears burn behind his eyes.

He didn’t let them fall. Couldn’t let them fall. But they were there.

"Soon," he promised, his voice rough. "I’ll be able to say it soon. I just need to... I need to figure out what it means first."

"Take your time." She pressed a kiss to his chest. "I’m not going anywhere."

They lay there in silence, holding each other, and Dimitri made a decision.

Mike was coming home in a few days. And when he did, Dimitri would face him. Would take whatever punishment Mike deemed necessary. Would fight for Eve if he had to.

Because losing her was no longer an option.

She’d said she loved him. Actually said the words. And even if he couldn’t say them back yet, even if he didn’t fully understand what they meant, he knew one thing with absolute certainty:

He would burn the world down before letting anyone take her from him.

Even his best friend.

---

**POV: EVE**

Eve woke hours later to find Dimitri standing by the window, staring out at the city, his phone pressed to his ear.

"I don’t care what it costs," he was saying, his voice low and cold. "Find out who sent that threat. And when you do, bring them to me. Alive."

She sat up, clutching the sheet to her chest. "Dimitri?"

He glanced at her, held up a finger—one minute—and turned back to the window.

"No. I want them taken alive. I have questions that need answering before they die." A pause. "Good. Call me when it’s done."

He hung up, set the phone down, and came back to bed.

"What was that about?" she asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

"Dimitri."

He sighed, sat on the edge of the bed. "Remember the threat I received? About you?"

Her blood went cold. "Yes."

"We’ve been tracking the source. We’re close to finding them. When we do..." He trailed off, but she understood.

When they did, that person would end up like Dante. Or worse.

"Is that why you’ve had Marco with me constantly?"

"Yes. And it’s why you’re not leaving this building without security. Not until the threat is eliminated."

"For how long?"

"As long as it takes." His hand cupped her face. "I told you, cara. You’re mine to protect. And I take that responsibility seriously."

She should be scared. Should be horrified that someone wanted to hurt her badly enough that Dimitri was hunting them down.

But instead, she felt... safe. Protected. Cherished.

"Okay," she said simply.

He blinked, surprised. "Okay?"

"You’ll keep me safe. I trust you."

Something fierce and possessive flashed across his face, and then he was kissing her again, claiming her mouth like he owned it.

Which, she supposed, he did.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers. "When Mike comes home, I’m going to have to tell him everything. About the contract. About how we started. About all of it."

"I know."

"He’s going to be even more angry."

"I know that too."

"And you’re still okay with this? With us?"

She smiled. "I’m more than okay with it. I’m all in, Dimitri. Whatever happens with Mike, whatever comes next, I’m choosing you. Every time."

His eyes closed, and she saw his jaw clench with emotion.

"You’re going to ruin me," he whispered.

"Good. You’ve been ruining me for four weeks. It’s only fair."

He laughed—actually laughed—and the sound was so rare and genuine that it made her heart ache.

"Come here," he said, pulling her into his lap. "I want to hold you."

"Just hold?"

"Just hold. For now. Later..." His smile turned wicked. "Later, I have plans for you. But right now, I just want to feel you against me. Want to know you’re real. That this is real."

She settled into his arms, her head on his shoulder, and felt something inside her settle too.

Mike would come home. They’d have the confrontation. It would be ugly and painful and terrible.

But they’d survive it. Together.

Because she loved him. And he was learning to love her back.

And that was enough.

For now, it was enough.