Primal God (The Defiant God Brotherhood #4)

Chapter 21

I’m surprisingly not in that much pain when I wake up and find myself in the recovery area. A nurse helps me get dressed in the clothes that I came in, sans bra, and goes over some information once we’re done.

“You can shower tomorrow, but you must keep the splint dry. Plastic bags are going to be your new best friend for a while.” She sets a paper down next to me. “I’m sending home a list of things that you can and can’t do. Follow this list because we don’t want to see you back in here.”

She sets another piece of paper down.

“It looks like they gave you Bridion during your case. I’m going to send home some reading material on it.” I nod and she continues, “We’re calling in some pain medication and an anti-inflammatory. Your goal the first week after surgery is to control swelling and pain.”

She sets another piece of paper on the growing stack in front of me.

“Someone from physical therapy will reach out. It looks like Dr. Santos wants you to go for at least four weeks and up to eight.” Another paper. “Your post-op appointment is one week from today in Dr. Santos’ office. Your sutures will be removed and they’ll either give you a splint or cast.”

“Will I be able to drive?”

“You should be able to as long as you don’t plan on gripping the steering wheel.” She looks at me over her glasses. “You can move it, but don’t use it.”

Well, that makes zero sense, but I nod because she’s kind of intense. I can always ask Dimitri for clarification when we get home.

“Okay, that’s everything. Let’s get you in a wheelchair.”

“Do you know who’s taking me home?”

Dimitri peeks his head around the corner. “I am.”

I smile. “Oh.”

He walks next to the wheelchair as we make our way outside. He helps me in before rounding the car. The nurse shoves the paperwork at me, and I put it between the seat and center console. I smile at her, about to thank her, but she closes the door before I get a chance. Rude! She should take some notes from my pre-op nurse.

Dimitri starts the car. I’m shocked to see that it’s nearly one in the afternoon.

“I thought the case was only an hour?”

He glances at me as we leave. “It was.”

“Then how is it already afternoon?”

“It took a while to get you in the OR and then you kept wanting to sleep in the recovery area.”

Suddenly, hints of Dr. Barnett laughing as he stood over me dances across my mind.

“Did I, uh, say anything embarrassing when I woke up?”

“Not at all.”

But there’s a small smile on his lips that makes me think otherwise.

“You’d tell me though, right?”

His hand covers mine. “Just relax, Lilith.”

I sigh, leaning back in the chair. I must doze off because the next time I blink, we’re leaving the drive-thru of a pharmacy.

“I hope I wasn’t snoring.”

He grins. “Only a little, but it’s very common after anesthesia.”

“Uh huh.”

We finally arrive at the house and Dimitri pulls into the garage. He rounds the car to help me out. Inside, the lights are off and it’s quiet. Too quiet.

“Where are the kids?”

“Brooks and Hannah took them to their place. They’re going to keep them tonight so you can rest.”

I groan, and he’s immediately on alert.

“Are you in pain?”

“No. Just wondering how in the heck I’m going to take care of the kids with this.” I lift my wrapped arm a little, as if he can’t see it on his own.

He leads me to the living room, pointing at the couch. “We’re not going to worry about that. Right now, we’re going to take a nap.”

I want to argue, but don’t. Instead, I let him pull me into his embrace on the couch, resting my injured arm across his chest.

“Thank you,” I say.

He kisses the top of my head. “Always, minha vida .”

I doze off, allowing myself to rest.

When I finally wake up, it’s dark outside. Dimitri stirs next to me, yawning.

“That was a good nap.”

“I agree.”

He asks, “Are you in any pain?”

“A little.”

“I’m going to grab you a pain pill and fix you something to eat. Does anything sound good?”

“Not really.”

“Toast? Grilled cheese sandwich? Soup?”

“Maybe some toast.”

“On it.”

He disappears into the kitchen. I push myself to a sitting position, careful not to jostle my arm. A moment later Dimitri comes back carrying a tray.

“Now this is service I could get used to,” I tease, as he sets the tray on the coffee table.

He hands me three pills and some water to take them with. When I’m finished, he hands me the plate. Then he watches me like a hawk while I pick at my food.

Finally, I say, “You’re making me nervous.”

“Am I?”

“Yes.” I pat the spot next to me. “Sit. Act like a normal human being.”

He snorts, taking a seat next to me.

“Thanks.” I reach for the remote. “Find something for us to watch.”

“What do you usually like to watch?”

I list off some reality TV shows, including my favorite one that takes place on a super yacht.

“If reality TV isn’t your thing, I’m always down for a good suspense movie.”

He scrolls the TV, coming to a stop on my favorite show. With a smile, he starts the episode.

The next morning I wake up next to Dimitri in his bed. He’s awake, scrolling on his phone and has his readers on.

“Did I ever mention how sexy I think you look in those?”

He puts aside his phone. “Oh? Tell Daddy all about it.”

I push myself to a sitting position, only to wince in pain.

“Ouch. Forgot about that.”

His gaze goes to my arm. He reaches over to his nightstand, grabbing two of my pain pills and a water bottle. I take the pills and hand him back the bottle when I’m done.

“So, have you thought about what you’re going to do?”

He meets my gaze. “Do? About what?”

“About finding a nanny for the kids.”

“What?”

The way he says the one word makes goosebumps lift on my skin.

“Come on. The thought has probably crossed your mind since I fell.”

“It hasn’t. Not once.”

“Dimitri, we have to be reasonable. I’m not going to be able to take care of the kids for at least six weeks. By then, my time here will be almost over.”

His eyes flash with anger. “We’re not having this discussion.”

“We have to.” I touch his arm. “I don’t want to leave you or the kids, but we both know I can’t do the job.”

“Then I’ll hire someone.”

I laugh before I can stop myself.

“Something funny, little girl?”

“Do you hear yourself? You’re going to hire a nanny for the nanny.” I shake my head. “Just call Ms. Odell. She was perfect.”

“She’s not you!”

He says the words with so much passion that I can only stare back at him.

“So, no, Lilith, I won’t be calling Ms. Odell unless it’s to help you.”

“Dimitri—”

“Lie back.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Lie back. Apparently, you need Daddy to remind you of how much you mean to me.”

I shouldn’t. I should make him see reason. Even though he doesn’t want to hire someone else, he’s going to have to. He’s?—

“Lilith,” he growls. “Now.”

I do as he says, watching him the entire time. He grabs his pillow, putting it under my arm, so my wrist is propped comfortably. If I was unsure what his intentions were before, it becomes clear now as he tugs down my panties, tossing them to the floor.

“It occurs to me you don’t know what it means to have someone care for you, minha vida , so Daddy is going to show you.”

He pushes my legs apart and moves between them.

Heat licks my skin, but I try to close my legs.

“Oh, um, you don’t have to do that.”

Because I know I need a shower…

He gives me a long look before shoving my legs even further apart. I gasp as he spreads my nether lips and licks me from front to back, letting his tongue swirl around the rim of my anus.

“Oh my god,” I pant.

He shoots me a wicked smile before licking his way back to my clit. I grip the bedding with my good hand as he nips the sensitive bud between his teeth, tugging. Sparks of pleasure shoot behind my eyes. All I can do is make incoherent sounds that turn into cries when he spears his tongue inside of me.

“Oh, fuck,” I pant.

He pushes my legs apart even more as he eats me out. Hot, achy pleasure coils deep inside of me until I come all over his tongue. He slurps up my release and doesn’t stop until I’m coming for a second time.

“Dimitri,” I moan. “I need you inside of me.”

He pulls away long enough to undress and moves over me. I grip him with my good hand as he slides into me. We both make sounds of pleasure as he rocks slowly.

“You’re mine, minha vida ,” he says as he looks into my eyes. “Understand?”

My toes curl as he hits that sweet spot deep inside of me.

“I’m yours,” I agree.

“I want you to come around my cock so I can mark you.” His lips brush against mine. “And then you’re going to walk around full of my cum so you can remember who you belong to.”

“Yes,” I pant.

He rocks again and I cry out as I shatter. The release is so intense that I feel dizzy, almost like I’m about to pass out.

“Lilith,” Dimitri groans. “ Minha vida. Minha corac?o .”

My damn breath catches in my throat. I’ve known he has been calling me his life , but he just called me his heart .

I pull his head down for a long kiss while he empties himself inside of me.

“I love you,” I whisper when we pull away.

He doesn’t say it back, but brushes his lips against mine in a slow kiss. My eyes water and I have to blink away my tears so I don’t ruin the moment.

I know better than this! To say I love someone in the heat of the moment. Especially when we have yet to have the big conversations.

Dimitri kisses me again before pulling out of me. He rolls to his side, pulling me with him, and taking care not to bump my arm.

“There. I hope you understand now.”

“Not really,” I answer truthfully.

“How about this, then? It will devastate the kids if you leave us.”

Us. My eyes water again, and I’m glad he can’t see my face.

“Stay, Lilith. I promise we’ll work this out.”

I nod, because I don’t know what else to say. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. The kids will be devastated if I leave, but not as much as it’ll devastate me. But I need to figure out what I’m going to do about Raquel. And fast.

“Lilith?”

Instead of answering, I pretend to be asleep. Sometimes, it’s just easier that way.