Epilogue
Kiera
I didn’t need to be told twice. My cheeks burned, both from the sting of Ronan’s hand on my bottom and the heat of his gaze on my back as I hurried toward the bedroom. My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of anticipation and nerves swirling through me as I stepped inside.
I paused near the foot of the bed, my hands clutching the edge of the duvet as I tried to steady my breathing.
The soft thud of his footsteps behind me made my pulse spike, and I turned my head just enough to see him stepping into the room. His movements were unhurried, deliberate, his gray eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my knees go weak.
“Good girl,” he said, his voice low and rich, sending a shiver down my spine.
He closed the distance between us with an easy grace, his presence filling the room as he stopped just behind me. I felt the heat of him before he touched me, his hand grazing lightly over my hip as he leaned down, his breath brushing my ear.
“You know why you’re here, don’t you?” he murmured.
I nodded, my throat too tight to speak.
“Say it,” he said, his hand sliding down to rest on the curve of my waist.
“I’m here because I’m yours,” I whispered, the words trembling on my lips.
“Exactly,” he said, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my neck.
His hands moved with purpose, his fingers brushing the hem of my top before slipping beneath the fabric. The warmth of his touch against my skin made me shiver, and I exhaled shakily as he lifted the shirt over my head and let it drop to the floor.
“Turn around,” he said, his voice a quiet command.
I did as he asked, my cheeks flushing as I stood before him in just my jeans and bra. His gaze roamed over me, dark and intense, taking in every inch of exposed skin.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous,” he said, his tone softening for just a moment before the smirk returned.
Before I could respond, his hands were on my waistband, deftly unbuttoning and unzipping my jeans. The fabric slid down my legs, along with my panties, pooling at my feet, and I stepped out of them, my body humming with a mix of vulnerability and anticipation.
When I looked up, his gaze met mine, a flicker of something deeper in his eyes as he reached for the clasp of my bra.
“You’re perfect,” he murmured, his fingers making quick work of the clasp. “And tonight, I’m going to make sure you never forget it.”
The bra joined the rest of my clothes on the floor, and I stood before him completely bare, my heart racing as his hands brushed over my shoulders, down my arms, and finally settled on my waist.
“Get on the bed,” he commanded.
I bit my lip, a nervous thrill coursing through me as I climbed onto the bed, the cool sheets brushing against my skin. I turned to face him, my breath catching as he shrugged off his jacket and began unbuttoning his shirt, his movements unhurried, but full of purpose.
My heart raced as I watched him undo the last button of his shirt. He shrugged it off, the fabric falling to the floor with a soft whisper, revealing the hard, sculpted lines of his chest. The golden glow of the bedside lamp cast shadows across his skin, highlighting the strength in every inch of him.
He looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered, his eyes dark and filled with a promise that made my breath hitch. Slowly, he reached for his belt, the leather sliding free from the loops of his slacks with a hiss.
“Lie down,” he ordered quietly.
I hesitated for a moment, my cheeks flushing as his gaze pinned me in place. But the authority in his tone left no room for argument. I lowered myself onto the bed, the cool sheets brushing against my bare skin as I settled on my back.
Ronan moved toward me, the belt still in his hands, his expression calm, but unrelenting. He stopped at the edge of the bed, his gaze sweeping over me with a mixture of possession and deep adoration.
“You trust me,” he said firmly.
It wasn’t a question—it was a statement.
“Yes,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
He nodded, the faintest hint of a smile curving his lips. “Good.”
He set the belt down on the nightstand, his hands brushing against my ankles as he climbed onto the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight, and I couldn’t stop the way my body tensed as he hovered over me, his presence overwhelming in the best possible way.
“You’re mine,” he murmured, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Every part of you. Your body, your mind, your heart—it’s all mine.”
I nodded, unable to form even a coherent thought as his hands slid up my thighs, his touch warm and steady.
My breath hitched as his mouth found the sensitive spot just below my ear, his teeth grazing my skin before he pressed a soft, lingering kiss there. His hands moved higher, his touch sending a rush of heat coursing through me as he gripped my hips and pulled me closer.
His lips captured mine in a kiss that left me shaky and breathless. It was possessive and consuming, full of everything he hadn’t said, but didn’t need to. His hands moved to cup my face, holding me steady as he deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping against mine in a way that left me gasping for air.
When he finally pulled back, I was left trembling beneath him, my heart racing.
“You complete me, my love. I don’t know what I would have done without you in my life,” he whispered.
My chest tightened, a rush of warmth flooding through me. I reached up, my fingers brushing lightly against his jaw.
“Ronan…” I started, but the words caught in my throat. What could I possibly say that would match the weight of what he’d just admitted?
He caught my hand, pressing it to his lips in a gesture so tender it made my heart ache.
“You’ve been my anchor, Kiera,” he murmured. “Even before I had the courage to admit it. Even before I let myself believe it was possible. You’ve kept me steady when everything else was chaos.”
I swallowed hard, my fingers trembling against his skin.
“You’ve been my strength,” I whispered. “Every time I’ve felt like the world was too much, you’ve been there. Even when I didn’t want you to be. Especially then.”
His lips curved into a faint smile, and he leaned down, resting his forehead against mine. I let out a shaky breath, my hands sliding to his shoulders as I pulled him closer.
“I love you,” I said, the words spilling out without hesitation. “I love you, Ronan. Even when you drive me crazy. Even when you’re too stubborn for your own good. I love you.”
He closed his eyes briefly, as though letting the words settle over him, and when he opened them again, the tenderness in his gaze was overwhelming. “I love you too, Kiera,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than I ever thought I could love anyone.”
He kissed me then, slowly, his lips conveying everything words couldn’t. His hands moved to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks as he deepened the kiss, his body pressing against mine with a quiet urgency.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine again, his breath warm on my lips.
“I’m never letting you go,” he said softly. “You’re mine, Kiera. Now and always.”
I smiled, my chest aching with the fullness of everything I felt for him.
“Good,” I whispered. “Because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
Ronan’s gaze darkened, the softness in his eyes shifting into something deeper, something harder. His hand traced the curve of my jaw, his thumb brushing over my lips with a slowness that sent a shiver racing down my spine.
“Now, I think it’s time I gave you what you need, isn’t it?” he murmured, his voice dropping to that low, commanding tone that always left me breathless.
My heart pounded in my chest as his hands slid down to my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. His lips found mine again, this time with a fierceness that left me gasping. He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, his smirk turning wicked as he reached for the belt on the nightstand.
The sight of the leather strap sent a jolt of anticipation through me, my breath catching as he raised it slowly.
The belt slid across my skin, soft and cool, as he wrapped it around my throat with a type of care that was almost tender. His fingers lingered for a moment, adjusting the leather until it rested snugly but comfortably, and then he tightened it a bit further, enough to where it cut off a fraction of my airflow.
Just enough for the blood to rush to my head.
And straight down between my legs.
“Perfect,” he mused, his gaze sweeping over me with a mixture of possession and something deeper, something almost reverent.
His hand cupped my chin, tilting my face up to meet his as his lips descended on mine once more, his kiss searing and consuming. Every thought, every fear, every hesitation melted away under his touch, leaving only the undeniable truth of what we were to each other.
Ronan broke the kiss, his eyes locking with mine, dark and intense.
His expression was the only warning I had.
The belt tightened, the pressure around my throat intensifying as Ronan pulled the end with his free hand. I gasped, my eyes fluttering shut as the air was cut off from my lungs, my pulse thundering in my ears.
My body tensed, a strange mix of nerves and anticipation flooding through me as I waited for him to make his move.
His hand trailed down the curve of my spine, his touch rough and possessive.
Then, his palm cracked against my naked ass, sending a stinging burst of heat across my skin. I cried out, the sound choked by the belt still fastened tight around my throat. My body arched against the sensation, the harsh sting giving way to a rush of pleasure that settled between my legs. I knew my pussy was already dripping with need.
Another slap landed, this one harder than the last, forcing a strangled gasp from my lips.
“Turn around. On your hands and knees,” he commanded.
I obeyed.
Gasping, I gripped the sheets, the belt digging into my throat as I tried to catch my breath. Ronan leaned forward, his body hot against mine, the scent of his cologne enveloping me as his lips brushed my ear.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to walk tomorrow,” he said in a low, rough rumble that sent a jolt of desire shooting through me.
The belt loosened slightly, and I sucked in a breath, my pulse racing as he pressed his hand between my thighs. His fingers found my slick folds, and he groaned, the blazing heat of his cock grinding against my ass. My pussy clenched tight.
“You’re already wet for me, aren’t you, love?” he asked, his voice dark and rough.
“Yes,” I breathed, my hips bucking against his hand.
“Such a good fucking girl,” he growled.
Without warning, he buried two fingers inside me, the sudden stretch making me gasp as he fucked me with rough, deliberate strokes. I cried out, my body responding to his touch with an eagerness that bordered on desperation.
The belt tightened, his hand pressing me down, his cock still grinding against my ass as he pushed his fingers deeper, filling me until I couldn’t breathe.
“Please,” I whimpered, the word barely more than a strangled gasp.
His other palm cracked against my ass, the sting followed by a burst of heat that made me arch against him, a shuddering moan escaping my lips.
“Please what?” he said, his voice low and dangerous.
“Please fuck me,” I begged, my body trembling beneath him.
With a groan, he pulled his fingers out, the sudden emptiness leaving me gasping. The belt loosened, the pressure around my throat easing just enough for me to catch my breath.
Before I could even process the change, his hand gripped my waist, flipping me over onto my back. His lips captured mine, rough and demanding, as his fingers slid between my legs again.
I moaned into the kiss, the sound muffled by his mouth as his thumb brushed against my clit, sending a jolt of pleasure shooting through me. He teased me, circling the sensitive bud before slipping his fingers inside me once more.
My head spun, the sensation of his touch, the taste of his lips, the feeling of his body pinning mine against the bed overwhelming. I clung to him, my fingers digging into his shoulders, his hair, anything to ground myself as the pleasure built inside me, threatening to break loose at any moment.
Finally, he broke the kiss, his gaze locking with mine as his fingers curled inside me, his thumb pressing down on my clit.
“Come for me,” he growled, his voice raw and rough.
My body obeyed, the command sending me over the edge, my orgasm ripping through me with a force that left me breathless. I cried out, my eyes fluttering shut, his name a strangled moan on my lips.
He held me as I came down from the high, his touch gentle now, his lips brushing against mine with a tenderness that made my heart ache. As the room stopped spinning, and the dizzying wave of pleasure receded, Ronan’s gaze locked with mine again.
“Ready, love?” he asked, his voice thick and rough.
“Yes,” I whispered, the word barely more than a breath.
He pressed another kiss to my lips, this one softer, before moving back and kneeling between my legs.
His cock was already rock hard, and when he guided the tip to my entrance, I shuddered at the feeling of him pressing against me.
With a groan, he thrust inside me, filling me with a sudden, intense stretch that made me gasp. His fingers dug into my hips, gripping me tight as he started fucking me, each stroke deep and rough.
“Oh, God,” I moaned, my eyes rolling back in my head as he fucked me harder.
“Come for me, love,” he growled, his voice strained and raw. “Come on my cock.”
My body responded instantly, the command sending me over the edge, another orgasm crashing through me with a force that made me cry out.
He wrapped the belt around his fist once more and the world narrowed to a pinpoint, his voice, his touch, his body the only thing that mattered.
And I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.