Chapter Eleven #2
I brace one hand beside her head, careful not to pin her, the other cradling her jaw as our mouths move together. Her breath hitches then steadies, and I swear I can feel the moment she lets go of the fear.
Her fingers fist in my hair, pulling me closer, deeper, like she wants to drown in this as badly as I do. I let her set the pace, let her decide how far we go, my pulse thundering in my ears with every brush of her tongue against mine.
I taste her heat and defiance, sweet and sharp, and I know I’ll never get enough.
She shifts beneath me, the mattress dipping, and I break the kiss long enough to search her eyes. “Still okay?” I murmur, breathless.
Her answer is another kiss, harder this time, her legs brushing mine as she arches up to meet me.
And that’s all it takes. The world outside ceases to exist. It’s just me and her, tangled in sheets, fire and restraint colliding, every nerve screaming for more.
But I keep my promise. Every movement is slow, measured, waiting for her to pull back, waiting for the slightest shake of her head.
Because this isn’t just about me, and I don’t want to be the reason she triggers.
Remi
His weight dips the mattress as he shifts above me, careful, like he’s terrified of breaking me. His mouth claims mine again, slower now, deeper, and every drag of his lips pulls something raw and aching out of me.
I should stop. Every alarm in my head screams that I should. Men don’t stay. They take what they want and they leave. I know this story.
But the way he touches me, it doesn’t feel like taking. It feels like giving. Like every inch of control is still mine.
His thumb traces my cheek, his breath hot against my lips. He’s made it clear I’m leading this. It’s all on my terms. And when I tug him closer, he follows without question. When I kiss harder, he answers. When I hook my leg around his hip, his groan vibrates against my mouth.
Heat coils low in my stomach, sharp and dizzying. My hands slide under his shirt, skimming warm skin stretched over muscle, and he shudders.
“Remi,” he murmurs against my mouth, voice rough, “tell me what you want.”
The truth burns in my throat, terrifying and undeniable. “You,” I whisper. “All of you.”
For a second, he stills, like he’s making sure he heard me right. Then his mouth is on mine again, hungry, devouring, his hands skimming down my body in a way that makes me tremble.
He pulls back, stripping from his clothes in record time, like he’s scared I’ll change my mind.
And then he brings his attention back to me, tugging the button on my jeans, pulling them down my thighs and dropping them on the pile.
My top follows, and then he stares down at me, taking in the underwear Lexi brought.
It’s not sexy at all—she went for comfort—but I didn’t expect to be getting naked in front of anyone.
I blush, feeling the weight of his stare, and I shift, trying to sit.
He smirks, crawling back over me again, “Don’t move,” he murmurs, pressing kisses across my chest. “You look beautiful.” His forehead presses to mine, his breath ragged like he’s holding himself back for me. “It’s just us,” he says, voice breaking. “Only us.”
My legs part to accommodate him, and as his fingers slip between my legs, I close my eyes. I hear the sound of the condom wrapper being torn, and when I next open my eyes, he’s stretching the rubber over his impressive erection.
His eyes fix to mine. “You ready?” he asks, and I nod, even though my mind is racing with a million thoughts. Like maybe this isn’t a great idea. And maybe after this, he’ll run a mile.
And then he’s there, pushing at my entrance.
I close my eyes again, this time gripping onto his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin.
And then he fills me, stretching me to accommodate his size.
And as he runs kisses over my shoulder, I relax.
He’s gentle and slow, making sure I don’t feel pain as he moves inside me.
I move with him, soon meeting every thrust, every kiss, until there’s nothing left of my fear, just the rush of heat and the sound of my own moans filling the room.
When my release rips through me, it’s blinding, unstoppable. I cry out, holding him close, and his groan follows, his body shuddering against mine.
We collapse together, tangled and breathless, my head against his chest, his heartbeat pounding under my ear.
I should feel guilty. I should feel scared. Instead, for the first time in forever, I just feel safe.
For a while, we just lie there. My body feels boneless, warm, wrapped up in him.
His chest is solid beneath my cheek, his heartbeat steady and strong.
The room smells like rain and soap and him.
For once, I don’t want to move. I let myself bask in it—the glow in my skin, the hum still low in my stomach, the way his arm curls tight around me like he’s afraid I’ll vanish if he lets go.
Safe. Wanted. Two things I’ve never felt and don’t deserve to feel.
Not really. But for a moment, I let myself pretend.
Pretend I’m normal. Pretend I belong here, in his bed, in his world.
But it’s not long before the intrusive thoughts creep in like cracks spreading across glass. Colin. His smirk. The photo outside the church. The silver car. The man with the scar who pressed a ticking bomb against my future and demanded twenty grand. My stomach twists.
No matter how tight Shadow holds me, trouble is coming. It always does. And when it arrives, I’ll drag it straight to his door. To his brothers. To everyone under this roof.
The glow fades, and my throat closes.
Because lying here with him feels like the best thing I’ve ever had, and I know, deep down, I’ll ruin it.