A Worthy Opponent (Wicked Villains, #3)

by Katee Robert

I love my curves, love the fact that I get to choose my beautiful. If anyone has a problem with that, they can fuck right off.

“You.” He reaches out and runs his fingers through my long blond hair, his many rings glinting between the strands. “On your knees. In my bed.” He catches my left hand, and I watch dazedly as he lifts it and strokes my knuckles. “My ring on your finger.” He gives a slow grin that has my stomach tying itself in knots. “I want everything, Tatiana. Absolutely fucking everything.”

I don’t believe in knights on white horses. Maybe I did once, but the only people out there searching for damsels in distress are more dangerous than anything said damsel leaves behind.

His smile doesn’t so much as flicker. “And yet you called my name when you lost control.” Jameson.

I’m so goddamn tired. The kind of exhaustion that spans years, rather than days and months. Decades, even. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve been exhausted from the moment I drew my first breath and the woman who birthed me promptly gave me away.

I’ve learned better than others there’s little this world gives me it won’t take away again. Food. Shelter. Even family. It’s all temporary when it comes right down to it.

She’s more than the submissive with a snarky attitude and a quick mouth. More than the strong person who survived shit no one should have to survive. She’s a shining goddamn star barreling through the heavens and fuck if I don’t feel privileged to watch her trajectory.

“How about this for some truth? I love you, you infuriating, amazing woman.”

“I love you, Jameson. It makes me kind of cranky because I didn’t plan on this, but it’s the damned inconvenient truth.” I don’t smile, but it’s a near thing. “Loving me is an inconvenient truth.” “Stop being amused.” “Only you would fall kicking and screaming into love and then pout about it.” I move her hand from my mouth and press it back to my chest. “We’re not running out of time.”

“I really do love you, Jameson. I really, really do.” She slams down onto me, taking my cock in a single stroke even as she takes my mouth in a kiss that leaves me dizzy. This woman might kill me, but what a fucking way to go.

“All the stories end with the villain vanquished and the happy couple riding off into the sunset. That’s what happily ever after is. They never have to work on their relationship, never have to get their hands dirty when facing the challenges living a full life creates. They’re caught in stasis, without conflict, without problems, without life. That’s no way to live.”

“When I say I love you, and I want a life with you as my wife, I mean a life, Tink. The problems and the victories and the day-to-day mundane bullshit. I want everything.” Another tug closes the distance between us, and then I’m pressed against his chest. He skates a hand down my spine and gives my ass a squeeze. “That’s better than any fictional happily ever after, don’t you think?”