Chapter 41
The shelter is a chorus of yips, meows, and purrs, a symphony of new life seeking love. I spot Killian sitting cross-legged on the floor, a pile of puppies tumbling over his lap. He laughs as they lick his face, pure joy lighting up his features.
“Dylan! Come meet the gang,” he says, beckoning me over.
I plop down next to him and immediately have an armful of wriggling fur. “They’re adorable!” I bury my face in their soft coats as a tiny tongue licks my nose.
Killian grins. “It’s the best part of my week, coming here. Hard to feel down with this much cuteness.”
I nod, letting a pup gnaw on my fingers. “They just need a little love. We all do.”
A knowing look passes between us. I don’t have to explain—Killian understands. My heart swells, full of new hope.
After an hour or so of playing with an army of the most gorgeous animals I’ve ever seen, Killian drives us to the beach. He rolls the windows down as we make our way along the main strip, and I close my eyes, savoring the wind in my hair and the sun’s glow on my face.
When I open my eyes, I catch him looking at me.
Some looks need no words. This man really cares about me.
The afternoon sun beats down on the sand as we join the crowd of volunteers at the beach. Styrofoam cups, food wrappers, and cigarette butts litter the once pristine shore. It makes me infuriated that people seem to bring whatever they feel like down to a gorgeous place like this and use it as their personal trash can. It’s not something I’ve really thought about, but right here, right now, it’s all up in my face.
Killian hands me a bag, and we get to work, clearing piece after piece.
As we clean, we chat about ways to curb pollution and keep our oceans healthy. Killian points out pieces of coral washed ashore, damaged but still pulsing with life. He’s like a walking trivia book about conservation and recycling, and about the risks humans pose to sea life.
I listen with interest. It’s not a topic I know much about, or that I expected him to be an expert in, but his enthusiasm is as contagious as his adorable smile.
At one point, Killian excuses himself and walks to a rocky part of the shore where a pretty woman is standing. I feel a pang of jealousy as I watch their easy interaction, her body angled into his as he envelops her in a hug. I see her pointing at something on the shoreline, and he walks over to check it out, bending over to pick something up. But my jealousy is short-lived when he returns and retrieves something from his pocket.
He presents me with the most beautiful shell I’ve ever seen, textured and patterned in a way that makes me marvel at the power of nature to create the most beautiful things.
“That was my friend Shelley… I’m not joking. That’s her actual name. She’s the shell expert around here. We grew up next door to each other actually, and I’m good friends with her wife.”
A surge of relief washes over me. Maybe Noah and I aren’t so different with our possessive qualities, after all.
Killian interrupts my deep thoughts, gesturing at the shell. “You know, if you listen to it, you can always hear the ocean, no matter how far away you are.”
“So I can always find my home?”
“Yes, exactly. You can always find your home.”
Our bags grow heavy as the sun dips low. Just in time, we join the group releasing baby sea turtles.
I gasp as the tiny creatures paddle furiously towards the lapping waves. Freedom, at last. So brave as they willingly wade into the unknown. I have the urge to follow them into the ocean and swim to some deserted island. To start a new life afresh, free of the stress of everyday life or the need to choose between four devastatingly hot men who would burn down the world if it made me happy… as long as they don’t need to share me, apparently.
Killian squeezes my hand. “Every bit helps. We’ll keep fighting the good fight.”
I squeeze back, my once-jaded heart now brimming with hope. “With you, I believe we can.”
As the sun sets, I think we might be done with our date, and I would have left happy with the time we spent together. Honestly, I’m going to remember today for the rest of my life.
And I know it’s because of Killian, and the way he made me feel while he introduced me to some of his favorite activities.
Whether I choose him or not, there are definitely going to be more animal shelter snuggles and turtle releases in my life.
But we’re far from done, as it turns out.
Next stop, he announces, is one of his favorite restaurants of all time.
The scent of simmering spices wafts through the cozy restaurant as we’re led to an intimate table. Local artwork adorns the walls, and the warm lighting makes me feel at home.
A lanky teenager greets us, barely suppressing his grin. “Hey there, folks! I’m D! I’ll be your server as well as cooking some of the items, and we’ve got a really awesome menu for you tonight.”
Killian smiles. “I think we’ll let you decide, Chef D. Surprise us.”
The teen’s eyes widen before he rushes back to the kitchen. Killian chuckles. “This place takes kids from rough neighborhoods and trains them to be chefs. Gives them skills and confidence.”
“That’s amazing,” I say. My respect for him deepens.
D returns, balancing two steaming plates. “Ok, we’ve got a chickpea curry and some naan bread. I made the curry sauce from scratch, loosely based on my grandmother’s recipe. Let me know if you need anything!”
We dig in. The flavors explode in my mouth, complex yet comforting.
D hovers anxiously until we both give him a thumbs up. He almost bursts with pride as I ask for a to-go container for an extra helping to share with our roommates.
Between bites, Killian talks more about the restaurant’s impact. At-risk youth finding meaning through food. My heart swells.
“You were right. This place is perfect,” I tell him. “It’s inspiring. Makes me want to do more.”
Killian’s eyes shine. “That’s exactly why I wanted to bring you here. To show you the good we can do together.”
Under the candlelight, I find myself leaning closer. The food, the company, the purpose—everything feels right.
After dinner, Killian leads me down the beach to a secluded cove. The sun has long since set, leaving behind hues of purple and orange. He spreads a blanket on the sand and lights a few candles.
“I wanted to end tonight somewhere peaceful, just the two of us,” he says, his voice low.
My heart flutters as I join him on the blanket. The sound of waves crashing fills the comfortable silence between us. I meet his gaze, darker now in the candlelight.
Slowly, he reaches out and brushes his fingers against my cheek. I shiver at his touch.
“Dylan,” he whispers. “You are so beautiful.”
I feel my cheeks flush. No one has ever looked at me quite the way Killian does now, with a mix of desire and tenderness.
He leans in, his eyes flickering to my lips in a silent question.
I answer by closing the distance between us.
The kiss is soft at first, almost reverent. I run my hands through his hair as he pulls me against him.
We melt into each other under the starry sky, the rest of the world fading away.
When we finally break for air, he rests his forehead against mine.
“I want to make you feel good, Dylan,” he murmurs. “But only if you want me to.”
My heart pounds. I know this is uncharted territory for us, but in this moment, I trust Killian completely.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I want that.”
He smiles and kisses me again, deeper this time. His hands roam my body, leaving heat in their wake.
I arch into his touch, craving more.
Killian’s hands are reverent as he undresses me, his eyes never leaving mine.
I feel bare, but not exposed. Cherished.
He lays me back against the blanket, kissing every inch of newly revealed skin. My breath catches when he reaches the inside of my thigh.
“You’re exquisite,” he murmurs against me.
I’m already slick with want for him.
His mouth descends, and I cry out, tangling my hands in his hair. No one has ever made me feel quite like this—so cared for, so seen. This man is passionate about everything he does, and the way he’s worshipping me right now is no exception.
Killian’s hands glide over my bare skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.
The white sand is soft under my cheek as the waves lap at the shore, a soothing rhythm to match Killian’s kneading fingers.
My muscles melt under his skillful touch. He finds each knot and works it out until I’m putty in his hands.
When his fingers trace the edge of my pussy, heat blossoms low in my belly. My breath catches as he slides his hand further around, grazing the curve of my ass.
“Relax,” he murmurs. His breath ghosts over my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
I swallow hard, forcing my body to loosen under his ministrations. It’s impossible to stay tense as his hands map every inch of my skin.
When his fingers dip between my legs, I gasp. My eyes fly open to take in the glittering stars overhead. The roar of the waves can’t drown out the rush of pleasure spiraling through me.
My hips rock into his touch as a moan slips free. He chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest against my back.
“That’s it, baby. Let go.”
His fingers work magic, pushing me higher and higher. The coil of heat in my core winds tighter and tighter until it snaps.
Pleasure washes over me in waves to rival the ocean, stealing my breath and thoughts alike.
I sag into the sand, boneless and sated.
Killian peppers kisses over my shoulder, his hands resuming their lazy exploration of my body.
The massage may be over, but the night is still young.
I tilt my head back to catch Killian’s gaze, heat simmering in his emerald eyes.
“Your turn,” I purr, rolling onto my side to face him fully. My hands skim down his chest, relishing the way his muscles jump under my touch.
A chuckle rumbles in his chest as I pull on the drawstring of his shorts. “Eager, are we?”
I quirk a brow, slipping my hand into his shorts to wrap around his length.
His breath hitches, his blue eyes darkening another shade. “You have no idea.”
He surges forward, capturing my lips in a searing kiss that steals my breath.
I meet him stroke for stroke, my free hand tangling in his hair to hold him close.
By the time we break apart, we’re both panting. I give him a light squeeze, grinning at the groan that slips out. “Less talking, more action.”
Killian growls, shucking his shorts and flipping us over in one smooth motion. I find myself on my back in the sand, caged under the hard lines of his body.
“Careful what you wish for,” he rasps, sliding into me in one deep thrust.
Pleasure ricochets through me, tearing a moan from my lips. My nails bite into his shoulders as I rock my hips up to meet his.
He sets a hard, fast pace, his hips pistoning against mine.
I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper with each thrust.
The coil of heat in my core winds tighter and tighter, ready to snap at any moment.
Killian shifts, hitting that sweet spot inside me.
Stars burst behind my eyes as I tumble over the edge with a cry. My inner walls clamp down on him, sending him over with me.
We cling to each other as the aftershocks fade, hearts pounding in tandem. A lazy smile curves my lips as I run my fingers through his hair.
I stretch out on the blanket, humming in content as the waves crash softly on the shore, a cool evening breeze rustling the trees behind us.
Killian pulls me into his arms, peppering kisses over my shoulders.
“Round two?” he murmurs, one hand sliding down to cup my ass.
Heat pools low in my belly at the promise in his voice.
I wiggle back against him with a grin. “What did you have in mind?”
His grip tightens, and I find myself flipped onto my hands and knees. Anticipation thrums through me as his hand wraps around my throat, tilting my head to the side.
“I want to watch you come undone again,” he rasps, nudging my entrance.
I gasp as he slides in, inch by inch, until he’s seated to the hilt.
Killian sets a punishing pace, his hips slamming into me from behind. His fingers tighten around my throat with each thrust, cutting off my air and intensifying the pleasure.
I rock back to meet him, chasing that sweet spot within.
Stars burst behind my eyes as he hits it. The coil of heat in my core snaps, sending me tumbling into bliss. I clench down on him, dragging Killian over with me.
He collapses on top of me from behind, both of us panting.
I wiggle beneath him, grinning at his groan.
“Best...night...ever,” I manage between breaths.
Killian huffs a laugh, pressing a kiss to the back of my neck. “It’s only just begun, love.”
And with that promise, round three begins as he flips me over and slides back into me, instantly ready to go. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
After, we lie tangled together under the stars, the sounds of the crashing waves a soothing lullaby. I rest my head on Killian’s chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.
His fingers trail up and down my spine, raising goosebumps in their wake. “You’re very beautiful, you know that?”
Heat floods my cheeks at the compliment. “You’re not so bad yourself,” I quip.
Killian chuckles, the sound rumbling through me. “I’m being serious. You’re strong, smart, kind—you light up the room just by walking in. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
Tears prick at my eyes at his words. My throat tightens—no one’s ever said such kind things to me before. “You really think that?”
He tilts my chin up, gazing into my eyes. The adoration and honesty in his has my breath catching. “With all my heart. You’re amazing, Dylan. Never doubt that.”
I surge up to capture his lips in a deep kiss, trying to convey all the emotions swirling through me. He returns it with equal fervor, his hands tangling in my hair to hold me close.
We break apart, resting our foreheads together.
I take a deep breath, steeling my nerves. “I think I’m falling for you,” I whisper.
The smile that spreads across Killian’s face is breathtaking. “That’s perfect, because I’m already in love with you.”
My heart swells to bursting at his confession. Joy and wonder and love fill me until I’m glowing from the inside out.
I brush another kiss across his lips. “Best night ever,” I repeat.
This time, though, I don’t just mean the sex.
“You mean that, love?” he asks, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Yes, it was incredible,” I breathe. “I feel...free. Like I can fully be myself with you.”
He smiles, pleased. “That’s all I want. For you to feel safe and appreciated.”
After basking in the afterglow for a few more moments, we slowly gather our belongings and pack up our little sanctuary on the beach. I’m almost reluctant to leave this private oasis we’ve created.
As we fold the blankets, Killian turns to me with a soft smile. “I’m glad we could share this day together. There’s so much more I want to show you, so much more we can do.”
His words warm me. “I’d really like that,” I reply. “Today opened my eyes in more ways than one.”
He takes my hand as we walk back to the car, a comforting, steadying presence.
I reflect on everything we did today—volunteering at the animal shelter, cleaning the beach, releasing the sea turtles. Taking me to a little-known restaurant with exquisite food that lifts up young people and gives them a chance to thrive.
It was more meaningful than I could have imagined.
And of course, there was the intimacy we shared. The care and trust behind it.
I glance at Killian as he drives, his handsome profile bathed in moonlight. There’s so much depth to him that I’m only just discovering.
Back at our place, we linger in a close embrace. “Let’s keep making a difference, together,” I murmur.
He smiles and kisses me tenderly.
My heart feels full.
Tonight, with Killian, I literally saw stars, both in the sky and in the heights of passion we reached. But it’s clear I have much more to learn about this intriguing man.
The thought fills me with anticipation for what comes next.
It’s going to be hard for any of the guys to top this night.
I can’t wait to see what Jayden has up his sleeve.