Page 244 of Blackwood

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in, skin to skin, heart to heart. Water soaks us both, warm but unrelenting.

“Hey,” I whisper, holding her tightly. “Shhh. I’ve got you.”

She starts to shake in my arms as the tears start to flow faster.

“Shh,” I whisper into her hair. “Just breathe, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”

She gasps against my shoulder, her body trembling. I stroke her back, slow and steady, anchoring her as her tears flow freely.

“You did what had to be done,” I say against her temple. “And I’m so proud of you.”

She lets out a sob. This one different. Softer. She melts into me, letting me carry her weight. Eventually, she looks up. Eyes glassy.

“You’re not scared of me?”

I shake my head. “Never.” I lift her chin to make her look at me. “I love you.”

She stares at me like she doesn’t deserve it. “Cade, I love you too.”

I lift her off the ground in one smooth motion. Her legs wrap around my waist, her arms around my neck, and I pin her gently to the shower wall, kissing her like my life depends on it. Her fingers clutch at my shoulders, holding on like I’m the only thing keeping her alive.

I pull back. I set her feet down, slow and careful, like she’s made of something sacred. And then I drop to my knees.

“Cade…”

I look up at her, hands sliding slowly up the backs of her thighs. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

I lean in, tongue tracing her heat, already slick and begging for me. I start slow—soft circles, gentle pressure—until I feel her knees start to tremble. Her fingers thread into my hair, tight and desperate, but I don’t stop. I don’t rush. I know her. I’ve learned every inch of her body like it’s art. Like it’s holy. I know exactly how to make her come undone with my mouth, and I do, savoring every second of it.

Because this isn’t just lust.

This is love.

This ismine.

I flatten my tongue, dragging it slow and deep before thrusting it inside her, licking her open, tasting her like she’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted. Her moan echoes off the steam-slicked tiles.

I look up at her, eyes locked with hers, my mouth still warm from her skin.

I pause just long enough to whisper, “I love you so damn much, Bella.”

Then I dive back in, sucking her clit like a man starved, like I need her to survive. She rides my face like it’s the only way she remembers how to feel. Her moans grow louder, sharper. She screams my name on her lips like a prayer. A fucking hymn.

Her fingers tighten in my hair, and I feel it. The way her thighs start to tremble against my shoulders. The way her hips jerk just slightly, chasing every flick of my tongue.

She’s close. So damn close I can almost taste it.

“Cade,” she gasps, her voice cracking.

I slide one hand up to her hip, the other gripping the back of her thigh to steady her.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I murmur against her skin. “Let go for me,baby.”

She does.

Her entire body seizes for half a second, then shatters. A strangled cry rips from her throat as her orgasm slams through her. Her knees almost give out, but I hold her firm, tongue still working her through every wave, every aftershock. She shakes against me, her hands flying to the slick tiles behind her searching for something to ground her.

But it’s me. I’m her anchor. And I’ve never loved her more than I do in this moment—naked, raw, broken and still completely glorious.I press one last kiss to her inner thigh before standing slowly. Watching as she sags back against the wall, chest heaving, cheeks flushed, eyes glassy with tears and relief.