Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
R onan
The room was quieter now, the charged intensity giving way to the soft hum of Kiera’s breathing as she lay curled in my lap. My chest still felt tight, my pulse still thrumming with the echoes of what had just happened between us. For all the control I’d wielded, for all the discipline I’d meted out, I wasn’t prepared for how deeply this would affect me.
The punishment was supposed to teach her, to remind her where she stood, and to serve as a lesson neither of us would forget. But somewhere between her screams of pleasure and her trembling obedience, I’d come undone. Watching her surrender, watching her let go of every last bit of defiance—it had been consuming in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
And now? Now, the sight of her nestled against me, her face pressed into my chest, her breathing slow and shallow as she came down from the emotional and physical high of her very first bottom fucking—it brought a strange, raw ache to the surface.
I adjusted the blanket I’d pulled over her shoulders, tucking it around her as she shivered slightly. She didn’t speak, didn’t move, and I didn’t expect her to. She’d slipped into a deep, quiet place after the storm of her emotions had burned themselves out.
“Shh,” I murmured, pressing a soft kiss against her forehead. “You’re alright. I’ve got you.”
Her arms tightened around me, her small fingers curling into my shirt as if holding on to me was the only thing keeping her grounded.
“You’re safe,” I said, my voice low, almost a whisper. I rubbed slow circles against her back, feeling the tension in her body gradually ebb away. “I’ll take care of you.”
Her breathing hitched, just slightly, but she didn’t speak. Her head tilted up for the briefest second, her wide, glassy eyes meeting mine before she settled back against me with a soft sigh.
I reached for the glass of water I’d left on the nightstand, bringing it to her lips. “Drink,” I coaxed.
She hesitated, her lips parting just enough to take a small sip. She winced slightly, still caught somewhere between exhaustion and emotion, but she drank obediently before turning her face back into my chest.
“Good girl,” I crooned, the words slipping out almost instinctively.
Her breathing hitched again, and her fingers tightened around my shirt, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she let out a soft, shaky sigh, her body melting further into mine.
I leaned back against the headboard, cradling her against me as the quiet of the room wrapped around us. My mind churned with images of my cock sinking into her virgin asshole, of the way the wrinkled skin of her tight rim had whitened as my cock had stretched it wide open, of how hard she’d come while I did it.
I smiled, knowing that my seed was probably still dripping from her well-used little hole.
I sighed, deeply content.
The punishment had been for her, to remind her of the consequences of testing me.
But the care afterward?
The way she clung to me, the way her trembling frame sought my touch for comfort?
That was for me.
Sometime later, the soft vibration of my phone against the nightstand caught my attention. Kiera was still nestled in my lap, her breathing steady and deep as she rested against my chest. I reached for the phone, careful not to disturb her as I glanced at the screen.
It was Finn.
I pressed the answer button and brought the phone to my ear. “Talk.”
“We’ve got her,” Finn said without preamble, his tone steady, but edged with weariness. “Leena’s safe. We picked her up at the Catskill Pines bus station about ten minutes ago.”
Relief swept through me, sharp and unexpected. “She’s alright?”
“She’s fine,” Finn assured me. “A little spooked when she saw us roll up, but otherwise, she’s in one piece. Bradan’s with her now, keeping her company in the backseat. She’s not thrilled about being dragged back, though.”
I let out a quiet huff, my grip tightening slightly on the phone. “She can be pissed all she wants. The important thing is that she’s not out there alone anymore.”
Finn chuckled softly. “Yeah, I figured you’d say that. We’re about halfway back now. Should be at your place in a couple of hours, traffic permitting.”
“Good.” I ran a hand through my hair, the tension in my chest easing for the first time since she’d gone missing. “Let me talk to her.”
There was a pause, muffled shuffling on the other end, and then Leena’s voice came through the line, tight and brimming with frustration. “Ronan.”
“Leena.” My voice was firm, but I softened it just enough to let her know I wasn’t angry—at least, not entirely. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” she said tersely. “I’d be better if I wasn’t being hauled back to the city like a fugitive, but I’m fine overall.”
“Good,” I said softly. “Now, you’re coming back, and you’re staying under my roof until I say otherwise. No arguments.”
There was a long pause, and then a sigh. “Fine. But only because I don’t want Finn and Bradan to lose their minds babysitting me.”
“They’ll survive,” I said dryly. “I’ll see you soon.”
The line clicked as she hung up, and I let the phone fall to my side, exhaling slowly.
Kiera stirred slightly in my lap, her head tilting up as her sleepy gaze met mine. “Leena?” she asked softly.
“She’s safe,” I said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Finn and Bradan are bringing her back now.”
Relief flickered across her face, and she relaxed against me again, her arms curling tighter around my waist.
“Good. I’m glad,” she whispered, and I couldn’t help but press another kiss to her forehead.
For now, I had Kiera to take care of.
“Come on,” I murmured, brushing a kiss against her temple. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She blinked up at me, her eyes soft.
“I’m fine,” she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.
“You will be,” I said gently, sliding my arms under her. She let out a small sound of surprise as I lifted her effortlessly, cradling her against my chest.
“Ronan, I can walk,” she muttered, though her arms tightened around my neck as if she didn’t want me to let go.
“Let me take care of you,” I replied, my tone firm, but soft enough to ease her protests.
She didn’t argue again.
The marble floors of the master bathroom were warm under my feet as I stepped inside. I set her down carefully on the edge of the large soaking tub, her gaze following my movements as I turned on the water and adjusted the temperature.
Warm steam began to fill the room as I added a splash of bath oil, the scent of lavender and eucalyptus curling in the air. Kiera watched me, her cheeks still faintly pink, her arms folded around herself in a way that made her look small.
Vulnerable.
Utterly fucking beautiful.
I crouched in front of her. “Trust me,” I said softly.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but she didn’t. She gave me a small nod instead, her gaze dropping as she let me lift her to her feet. I guided her into the warm water, her soft gasp of surprise making me smile.
“Too hot?” I asked, my hands hovering at her sides.
She shook her head quickly, sinking deeper into the water until it reached her shoulders. “It’s perfect.”
“Good,” I said, rolling up my sleeves.
I reached for the shampoo, pouring a generous amount into my palm before lathering it between my hands. She tilted her head back obediently as I worked my fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp with careful tenderness. Her eyes fluttered closed, a soft sound of contentment escaping her lips.
“You’re good at this,” she murmured, her voice dreamy.
“I’ve got many hidden talents,” I replied, smirking as I tilted her head under the stream of warm water to rinse the suds away.
The conditioner came next, my fingers working through the length of her hair with the same soft, gentle care. She let out another soft sigh, her body sinking further into the water as if the tension were melting away with every touch.
When I was finished with her hair, I reached for the body wash, lathering it in a soft cloth as she opened her eyes to watch me. Her blush deepened when I reached for her arm, gliding the cloth over her skin with care.
“Ronan…” she began, her voice shaky.
“Relax,” I said softly, my hands moving to her shoulders, her back, each movement slow and purposeful. “I’m just taking care of you.”
Her blush spread as I worked my way down her body, washing every inch of her with the same tender attention. When my hands dipped below the waterline to her thighs, she let out a soft, embarrassed sound, her eyes squeezing shut.
“Shh,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her damp forehead. “It’s alright, Kiera. Just let me take care of you.”
She nodded faintly, her breath hitching as my hands continued their path, careful but thorough. I took my time caressing the folds of her pussy, before running the cloth between her bottom cheeks and thoroughly cleaning the hole I’d just as thoroughly fucked.
When I finally finished, I rinsed her off gently, the water warm and soothing as it washed away the suds.
I reached for a towel, pulling the plug to let the water drain as I wrapped her in the plush fabric. She shivered slightly, but it wasn’t from the cold. I scooped her up again, cradling her against me as I carried her back to the bedroom.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice barely audible against my chest.
“Because you’re mine to take care of,” I replied simply, brushing a kiss against her hair as I settled her onto the bed.
Her eyes searched mine, wide and uncertain, but she didn’t question me again. Instead, she curled into me as I pulled the covers over us, her head resting on my chest as her breathing slowed and the tension in her body melted away completely.
For the first time in what felt like years, I wasn’t thinking about deals or alliances or the tangled web of chaos that ran through my life. I wasn’t calculating or strategizing or plotting my next move.
I was just… here.
With her.
And for reasons I couldn’t explain, that felt like enough.
My chest tightened as I looked down at her, her damp hair spilling across the pillow, her cheeks still faintly flushed from the warmth of the bath. I could feel the steady beat of her heart against me, could see the way her lashes fluttered softly as she lingered between sleep and wakefulness.
She was beautiful. Not in the way I’d always noticed before—defiant, sassy, intelligent, absolutely stunning—but in a way that hit me like a blow to the ribs.
Because somewhere in the middle of it all, I’d fallen for Kiera Delaney.
And I wasn’t ever going to let her go.
The thought sent a rush of something unfamiliar coursing through me, something that wrapped around my chest and squeezed so tight, I almost couldn’t breathe.
Love.
I swallowed hard, the realization settling heavy and certain. For the first time in years—maybe ever—I felt it. Not the possessiveness I’d always carried, not the need to protect or claim, but love.
Pure, undeniable, all-consuming love.
Her voice broke through my thoughts, soft and hesitant. “What are you thinking about?”
I hesitated, my thumb brushing along her cheek as she tilted her face up to look at me. Her green eyes searched mine, wide and curious, and for once, I didn’t try to hide.
“You,” I said simply, my voice low.
She smiled faintly, a hint of uncertainty flickering across her face.
“Me?”
“Yes.” I paused, the weight of the moment pressing down on me, but I didn’t falter. “I was thinking about how much I love you.”
Her breath caught, her eyes widening as she stared at me. “What?”
“I love you, Kiera,” I said, the words steady and sure. “Not just because you drive me insane, or because you push me in ways no one else does. I love you because you’re you. Because you are pure fire and chaos and stubbornness, and because you’re the only person who’s ever made me feel like this.”
Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Her cheeks flushed, her eyes shimmering with emotion, and for a moment, she just stared at me, as if trying to process what I’d said.
Then, slowly, she reached up, her fingers brushing against my jaw as her lips curved into a soft, almost disbelieving smile.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
“You don’t have to say anything,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Just let me love you, Kiera. That’s all I need.”