Page 82 of Death

I fucking brand her with my tongue and teeth, and she lets me.

Ciara is mine, and I won’t let anyone take her away from me.

Not Grace. Not Dominik.

No one.

I begin to slow down the kiss, my lips just nipping at hers as I enjoy the final moments before I finally lift my head. Her eyes are closed, and she has a dreamy expression on her face that instantly has me grinning like a fucking idiot.

Her eyes drift open, and they’re filled with so much wonder, I fall deeper in love with her.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop falling for this woman.

The dreamy look changes to wonder, then she presses her face into my neck and holds me as if her life depends on it.

I still have her pinned to my body, and without any effort, I carry her away from the marquee.

When she begins to lift her head, I murmur, “I’m just moving us to a comfortable spot.”

I walk to where there’s a little area with a branch that’s broken off from a tree, and sitting down on the warm sand, I lean back against the branch. Ciara straddles me and leans against my chest.

The servers come out to clear the table and take down the marquee. It takes too long for my liking, but finally they leave, and I’m alone on the beach with my woman.

I look down at her while brushing my palm over the side of her face and hair. “You good?”

Nodding, she glances up at me, her eyes sparkling with happiness. There’s no fear. No trauma.

Thank fuck. I didn’t trigger her.

I lean down and press a kiss to her forehead, but when I pull back, I’m surprised when she tips her head even more, clearly giving me an invitation.

Not letting the chance slip through my fingers, I place my hand against her jaw and seal my mouth to hers.

My heart clenches in my chest from the sheer gravity of getting to kiss this breathtakingly beautiful woman. My thumb brushes along the edge of her jaw, memorizing the silky feel of her skin. She presses closer to me, and I swear, this moment couldn’t be more perfect.

Her lips move in perfect sync with mine, her breath warming my skin every time she exhales.

Fuck, this isn’t just a kiss. It’s a promise of a beginning between us and the life we’ll spend together forever.

Pulling her closer, I get lost in Ciara, not wanting this moment to ever end.

I lose track of time, just worshiping her mouth. She becomes my every heartbeat, the reason I breathe.

When I end the kiss and lift my head, it’s to see a look of amazement in her eyes before she rests her cheek against my chest and stares at the waves lazily rolling in to shore.

Easing my hold on her, I begin to trail my fingers up and down her back, while my other hand wraps around her neck. I brush my thumb over her skin, taking in the soft feel of her.

After a few minutes, she whispers, “I wish you were my first kiss.”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “Yeah? Who was your first?”

She’s quiet for a couple of seconds, then she answers, “Nolan.”

Ice pours over me, my muscles instantly tensing. “I’m sorry,mi sol.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “What Nolan did was abuse. It doesn’t count as your first.” I bring my hand to her chin and nudge her face up so she’ll look at me. “I’m the first manyoukissed. It’s the only thing that matters,mi sol.”

A gorgeous smile spreads over her face, and wrapping her arms tightly around me, she nods. “You’re right.” She snuggles against me again and places her hand over my heart. “I’ll never forget today.”

Neither will I.