Chapter 13
Entangled in a raging sea of emotions, Ysabel’s heart ached with need. The desire, raw and soul-deep, was more than longing. The feeling had become a visceral burning for Heath’s embrace. Her quietly whispered words were a base and desperate appeal for him to take her and banish the shadows of doubt her words and actions had caused.
True, they’d spoken. Heath’s guttural admission of what her rejection cost him squeezed her heart like an iron fist. But words weren’t enough to fully bridge them to the couple they once were. She sought absolution in his touch and closeness. Craving the loss of self in the rhythm of their bodies and once again witnessing his unguarded shattering when he climaxed to see the raw truth in his eyes at that moment. To feel the reassuring weight of him against her and the gentle heave of his chest as he caught his breath was a longing she couldn’t ignore.
The treasures of these moments of their love—the passion, heat, and physical touch—created sweeter music than she could ever dream of playing. She longed for the pure notes of unguarded truth to reverberate through her soul and echo in the very essence of her heart again.
Heath stood and extended his hand to her. He led her over to the bed and turned, facing her. He pulled her into a kiss that was anything but gentle. Ysabel let go of the fear of losing him and molded her body against his.
She pulled at his shirt, demanding the feel of his skin. He broke the kiss and ripped his shirt off before gently tugging hers off, too. His hands covered her breasts, and his lips found hers. God, she’d missed that. Heath controlled her body with the gentlest of touches. Anything he wanted from her, she’d immediately surrender. Yet he never asked for more than she could give. He finished undressing them while they continued to kiss and explore newly exposed skin. The ripple of his back muscles under her hands reminded her of the strength he possessed. He held her as he lowered her to the bed. Crawling over her, his eyes scanned her body. He lowered and nipped at her shoulder. “Mine,” he growled.
“Yes,” she gasped as he slid his tongue over the sting of his bite. His hands and mouth were ravenous. Heath moved rapidly as if he couldn’t get enough of her taste. His kisses stole her breath, and his touch made her pant with a growing need. When he dipped between her legs, she slammed her hands down on the bed and fisted the blankets. His tongue and fingers worked her sensitive skin until she tightened like a bow. He sucked her clit into his mouth, and she detonated, coating him in the proof of her love. She grabbed two handfuls of his hair and pulled him away from her, overstimulated yet still in need of him inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him down for a kiss.
He entered her as their tongues danced to the beautiful music that once again swirled in perfect harmony around them. She couldn’t imagine a sweeter, more encompassing sensation than his body inside of her. It wasn’t the act of sex. She stared into those beautiful hazel eyes. No, it wasn’t sex; it was a testament to something time, words, or acts could never destroy. As she tightened again, Heath held her gaze. Her eyes widened, and he stared down at her. “You are mine. Now and always.” His hips sped up, and he hilted harder inside her. “I’ll never let you go again. You’re mine. I love you.” Each word was stressed by the feel of his shaft delving deeper and harder.
Ysabel arched under him and burst into nothing but frissons of pleasure. She forced her eyes open and watched as Heath followed her into oblivion. As their eyes met, she knew they would be okay. He collapsed on top of her, a weight she loved to hold. As she wrapped her arms around his magnificent body, she tried to memorize the aura and sensations surrounding her. She’d never take them for granted again.
Heath moved off her and pulled her with him. His hand stroked her hair, and she snuggled against his shoulder. The scent of him and their lovemaking filled her senses. “I love you,” she whispered against his skin as he held her.
He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his other hand around her. “Never again.”
She nodded. Never again would they let words or the world tear them apart. Heath had told her that her music took people places they couldn’t go. Yet it was his love that carried her. Ysabel closed her eyes and floated on the orchestra of music in her heart.
* * *
Harbinger woketo the familiar weight of Ysabel’s leg and arm draped over him. Her hair, as usual, sprayed across his chest, and her head was cradled on his shoulder. He’d almost convinced himself that simple pleasure would never happen again. Almost.
His earpiece had been silent all night. The techies had probably switched to another channel. Val hadn’t called, so he assumed all went well with the surgery. The question now was what to do with Ysabel. He had to interrogate her father. He’d never bring Pierre to Val’s place, and leaving Ysabel alone was out of the question. He stared at Val’s closet as he thought. A smile flicked across his face. Of course. He’d use Val’s clothes and makeup to shroud Ysabel’s identity. He could take her into the building without anyone knowing it was her.
Ysabel stretched and snuggled closer to him. “Morning,” she mumbled.
“Good morning.” He lifted his arm, bringing her closer to him and kissing her hair. “Did you sleep well?”
“Mmm …” She was a slow starter in the morning. Waking up wasn’t her strong suit. Harbinger smiled at the warm memories of them waking up together. They had a second chance, and he’d never let her slip through his fingers again. The shock of her words and Pierre’s concerted effort to keep him away, then that voicemail where she called him pathetic … Never again. She sighed contently. He would wait and be quiet and let her fall back to sleep, but her hand snaked under the sheets and found his cock. His morning wood hardened with interest.
“Definitely a good morning,” he amended his previous statement.
She chuckled and slid under the sheets. “What?” Harbinger jumped a bit. The move was one she’d never done before. Oh, yeah, she’d given him head, but never like that.
“Do I have to explain?” She licked a stripe up his shaft.
His hips bucked, and he fell back on the pillows. “No. No explanation required.” His hand wound around the long strands of thick black hair and held her. Not to guide her but to ground himself in the moment.
The feel of her velvet-soft, wet, hot mouth over the top of his cock made his eyes roll backward in his head. The slide and velvet swipe of her tongue were things wet dreams were made of. Ysabel wasn’t a virgin when they met, but she wasn’t very experienced either. But this … this was masterful. Her hand circled the bottom of his shaft and pumped up as she went down. The swirl of her tongue on the way back up made his thighs quake with the effort not to thrust into her mouth. The perfection of hot, wet suction brought him to the edge far too quickly. He tried to get her to stop, but she hummed something around his cock, causing his back to arch, and he exploded. She swallowed everything he gave her, and when the sensation was too much, he convulsed with a spine-cracking shiver. Harbinger pulled her off him, lifting her up the bed before wrapping his arms around her. “God, woman, what was that for?”
“You,” she whispered and sighed against his chest. “No matter what happens from here on out, I’m yours, and you’re mine.”
While stroking her hair, he closed his eyes. “I still have your engagement ring.”
Her head popped up, and she blinked rapidly. “You do?”
He nodded. “In my safe at the apartment. When we go there, I’ll put it back on your finger where it belongs.”
“You still want to marry me?” The question surprised him.
“I’ve never stopped wanting that.” He rolled them so she was under him. “I’ve never stopped wanting you.” He lowered for a kiss. The world and all its problems could wait another hour … or two.