“Lilies. Back at the abbey, we had them. I was the one in charge of the garden, and I always paid careful attention to the flowers. I made sure they bloomed perfectly,” I shared with a smile. The memories were bittersweet, and tears pricked my eyes.
I missed the sisters and the friends I made there, and now they were all…gone.
“I’ll get them for you.”
I watched as Lena walked away. Before going inside, she turned around. Her brown hair was shining in the sunlight, and her eyes were so clear with love.
“I’m happy you’re here. If Lyov brought you home, then you’re here to stay forever. I think we’re going to be good friends, Maria.”
She gave me a soft smile and left me with a clenching heart.
I liked that idea. Me and her…friends. I liked it even more that Lena was so accepting. Sometimes it was hard to tell whose soul was pure or not. Sometimes, deceit was veiled behind a pretty smile.
But I liked to believe that Lena was a pure soul. I had found a friend.
Walking into the sunlight and further into the gardens, I enjoyed all the beautiful flowers surrounding me. Their scent touched my nose, and I smiled. I loved it here. It was everything I had ever dreamed of.
My own little fantasy.
My knight in shining armor on his white horse. Our little castle. And we would live happily ever after.
Although, Lyov was no knight in shining armor. He saved me, but in this fairy tale—he was the beast.
After all, I didn’t want a knight, for their armor would eventually grow rusty. No, I preferred the beast. For he would always protect me with his sharp claws.
“You’re smiling.” A voice snapped me out of my happy thoughts, and my stomach fluttered when I recognized who it belonged to. I was elbow deep into planting the seeds and lilies that Lena brought me. A few hours must have passed.
I didn’t want to move…never wanted to leave this paradise.
But Lyov’s voice was almost like a siren call. It was impossible to fight the effect it had on me. With his attention, warmth spread through me. I could feel his piercing gaze on my back, scorching my skin and making the butterflies in the pit of my stomach wild.
Standing up, I turned around to face him. I buried my dirty hands in my dress, as if I were caught doing something wrong.
Lyov’s eyes traveled up my body, and I noticed I had dirt all over me. When his smoldering gaze landed on mine, I tried to breathe. A hint of a smile appeared on his lips. He knew he had me caught in his webs.
I only wished I had the same effect on him. Did I make him breathless? Was his need for me the same as mine for him?
The feeling of wanting to please him…did he feel the same for me?
Lyov moved closer. His height was impressive, and I was forced to look up. He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing the skin over my cheekbone.
“You had dirt here,” he explained, yet he didn’t stop caressing me.
My lips twitched with another smile, and he caught it. “You’re happy,” he remarked with confidence. It wasn’t a question, more like a statement.
I nodded because he had the power to make me speechless. In his presence, my mind scrambled, trying to find coherent thoughts.
“Your words, sweet Angel. Give me your words.” He pushed the slightest bit but never too much.
The firmness in his voice, with a touch of dominance, had a way of making my knees weak. I wanted to burrow into his embrace.
His other arm curled around my waist, and he pulled us closer, until our chests were touching. My eyes fluttered closed, and I leaned more into his palm, never wanting him to stop touching me.
“I am happy,” I finally admitted, giving him the words he wanted.
“Does the garden make you happy…or is it something else?” The roughness in his voice caused a shiver to run through my body. There were raw emotions in his words.
My eyes opened, and I held his gaze. “You make me happy, Master.”
His grip tightened around my hips. His eyes turned molten lava, and his chest vibrated with a low growl.
“Maria.” He said my name like a whispered prayer—filled with warning and unsaid needs. “I don’t think you understand what you do to me.”
I was quick to reply this time. “Then tell me. I want to know.”
He leaned down, until his lips feathered over mine. His voice was barely above a whisper now. “Oh, Angel. The things I want to do to you. So innocent yet so ready to be corrupted.”
My lips parted with a little gasp, and he took the opportunity to kiss me, slipping his tongue past my lips and stealing my breath away.