Chapter 31

He waves his hand dismissively. “I won’t bore you with the details, but a few of the other captains see the value in pursuing another route for peace. I’ve persuaded enough of them to override Sergei.”

I leap out of my chair and throw my arms around his neck. “Oh, Ben, that’s wonderful. Thank you,” I say, pelting his face with kisses. “I can imagine how difficult it must have been, I can’t believe you risked all that for me.”

He gently takes me by the shoulders and stares intently at me with those entrancing eyes. “Chleo, you have no idea the lengths I’d go to hold onto you. You’re my world now.” The chilling frisson of excitement and fear courses through me. I want Ben to love me this passionately, but fear what it could mean.

I find myself leaning in to kiss his lips. “And you are mine,” I whisper.

He grins, “Sit down and eat, you’ll need your strength.”

His voice sends a quivering spark right between my thighs. “You know I do have to go to work tonight?” I say as I move back t