I could feel him from the other side of the door. His presence was overwhelming even with a barrier between us. My heartbeat turned erratic, and I breathed through my nose, forcing a deep gulp of air. I softly opened the door and walked inside. Closing it behind me, my gaze instantly found Lyov.
Master was sitting on his usual couch, the seat that belonged to me. The same place he always sat to watch me play the piano.
His legs were spread out in front of him, and his hands were fisted on his lap. He had leaned his head back against the couch, and his eyes were closed. I walked closer, my gaze never leaving his sleeping form. Stopping in front of him, I drank in my fill, taking in every inch of this dark, beautiful man, whom I had the pleasure of calling mine.
My strong Lyov, my master, my King…he looked defeated in his sleep. A wounded animal. But even then, the angry lines on his forehead were still present. How did I mess up so bad?
I went down in front of him, between his legs. I tucked my ankle beneath me and sat back on my haunches, kneeling for my Master. With my body cradled between his legs, I pressed into him and placed my head over his right thigh.
A sigh of contentment and relief expelled from the most inner part of me. I was overwhelmed, and I closed my eyes. My soul was both calm and a stormy nest.
His thigh twitched underneath my cheek, and I knew he was awake. I felt his arm move, and a smile whispered against my lips, expecting him to touch me. But Lyov didn’t.
Nervous apprehension fluttered deep inside my stomach, and I peeked up at him. His eyes were on me, focused intently. He was giving me a very mean look, and I swallowed, wetting my lips.
Lyov didn’t touch me, but he spoke. One word. One simple question that I didn’t truly have an answer for. “Why?”
Lifting my head from his lap, I stayed in my kneeling position. “I wasn’t thinking properly. I didn’t think it would be dangerous. I thought that maybe…”
My words were halted when Lyov lurched forward, and he gripped my throat. There was nothing rough about the way he manhandled me. No. His touch was surprisingly gentle. But I didn’t miss the dominance in his hold. And I also didn’t miss the possessive gleam in his grey eyes.
“You thought it wouldn’t be dangerous?” he whispered, oh so quietly. That voice. It did things to me. Even with Lyov angry, my body tingled, and I pressed more into his touch. His fingers tightened the slightest bit around my neck.
I licked my lips again, and Master watched with hungry attention. “I didn’t mean to worry you. I am sorry.”
“Worry me? You didn’t mean to worry me? Is that all you have to say for yourself, Maria? I have those bodyguards there to protect you! They are not to leave your side the moment you step out of the estate. Fuck! Do you understand that I do this…I do everything to protect you? Do you understand that these men are there to keep you safe? It’s the only fucking way I can bear to be away from you, for you to be out of my sight. Because I know you can be safe with them. Otherwise, I would lose my fucking mind.”
My lips parted with a breathy sigh. I wanted to speak, but I was at a loss for words. I was so careless and insensitive. God. I really did mess up. When I went to apologize again, Lyov’s lips curled back into a snarl, and my mouth snapped shut immediately.
“I have enemies, Maria. Too many to count. And in the last six months, I have made dozens more. Do you know that I am a target every single fucking day? Do you understand that to kill me, to fuck me up, to destroy me…they will destroy you? They will come at you, Maria. And they will be merciless. To hurt me…they will hurt you. Do you not see that every day, I live in fear? I wake up in fear. I go to sleep in fear. Because the mere thought of losing you drives me to the point of insanity.”
Each word came out with a growl, his chest heaving, his eyes…uncivilized.
“I am a mad man, Maria. And you tested my patience today,” he hissed, his face coming so close to mine, and I shivered in his hold.
My hand came up and gripped his wrist, not to dislodge his hold from my throat but to keep it there. His eyes flared dangerously, and I knew I was playing with fire.
“I am sorry,” I whispered.
“No. I don’t think you are.”
Shock coursed through my body at his words, and I flinched. The tears made another appearance. I tried to deny his claim, but the look on his face stopped me.