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He growled, gripping my hips tighter, and turned us around so that my back was flat against the soft mattress. He hovered above me, pressing his lips against mine.
Every kiss with Kieran was amazing. Each one felt ten times better than the last. With every brush of his lips, he showed passion, hunger, want, longing, love and many more emotions.
I felt him shiver as I ran my hands down his muscular abdomen. His warm hands roamed up my shirt. He was taking his time. He was teasing me. Groaning, I pulled my shirt off and threw it on the floor.
Kieran looked at me with swollen lips. His blue eyes were dark with l**t and love. He stared into my eyes. ‘God, I’m the luckiest man in the world,’ he groaned.
I laughed.
‘Gosh, I love that laugh,’ he muttered, nuzzling my neck before crashing his lips onto mine once again. He pulled away once more. ‘Talia, if I’m pushing you, tell me. I don’t want to risk losing you again.’
My heart shattered into a million pieces. He thought he had lost me the first time, but that had been entirely my fault. I let him believe that he had. It wasn’t his fault.
Tonight, I was going to prove to him that it wasn’t his fault.
I was going to show him how much I missed him and how much I loved him.
I’m going to show him that I’m all his.
I was going to apologise for my mistakes.
Tonight, I was going to make it up to him.
I bit my lip seductively and motioned for him to come closer. I didn’t know where this sudden burst of confidence had come from, but I think Kieran liked it. He leaned in. I scratched his muscular back with my nails and whispered things that are better left unsaid.
Let’s just say I told him exactly what I wanted him to do to me.
He pulled away when I had finished. His dark eyes widened, and if possible, they darkened further. He growled before pressing his lips hungrily to mine.
Soon, all of our clothes were on the ground, and he kissed my mark once again.
‘I love you, Kieran,’ I whispered breathlessly.
‘I love you too, Talia, so much,’ he mumbled against my neck before entering me.
That night was amazing. It was ten times better than the first time we made love. For one night, we forgot all about our problems.
All I could think about was Kieran.
—
My hands trembled as I climbed out of my Mercedes-Benz. I was sure the news had reached my mum, Elias and Tasha, but I knew I still had to tell them myself. I also knew how they would react.
They weren’t going to like the news very much.
Kieran noticed me stalling. “Talia,” he said, taking my trembling hands in his. He kissed my palms. ‘You’ll do fine. Your family has always been so understanding. Would you like me to come in with you?”
I shook my head. ‘I think I should do this on my own,’ I replied. ‘It’s a family issue.’
‘OK, if you need me, I’ll be in the car.’
I nodded and pecked his lips. As I walked towards the double doors, I started spacing out. I was forgetting what exactly it was that I was going to tell them.
We all knew how it felt to have to tell our families bad news. It could be getting a bad grade at school, not being allowed to date someone, or breaking your mother’s favourite glass bowl. In this case, I was practically telling them that I might die, and that I wanted to see them before that happened.
I didn’t want Kieran to come inside with me. Many things could go wrong. Elias would probably rip his head off for letting me fight in this fight. My mother would probably do the same. Kieran would cause a riot at home, and that was the last thing I needed at a time like this.
‘Hey guys, I’m here,’ I yelled when I finally opened the door.
I heard footsteps running hurriedly down the stairs. Looking up, I saw Tasha, her blonde hair bouncing as she ran down the stairs. She looked at me and pointed a finger.
‘You’re in trouble, missy,’ she scolded, folding her arms across her chest. ‘Your brother is not happy with you at all. Please tell me you refused to join this fight.”
I looked down at my feet and shook my head slowly. ‘Oh dear Lord,’ Tasha gasped. ‘Please tell me you’re kidding.’
‘I’m—’ I began, but an intimidating male voice interrupted me.
‘Talia,’ my older brother called out. I flinched at his unhappy tone. He stomped down the stairs and stood next to Tasha. He folded his arms across his chest. “Explain now.”
I liked that about Elias. He always made me explain first before scolding me. He would hear me out before deciding whether to scold me, wave it off or reassure me that he wouldn’t tell our parents.
‘There’s not much to say. I’m sure you’ve heard what’s going to happen tomorrow,’ I shrugged. ‘I’m going to stand with the packs.’
‘No,’ Elias finally said, making it seem like there was no room for discussion.
‘Elias,’ I sighed. ‘I have to do this. I’m doing this for you guys.’
‘Talia, Mum is badly injured because of me. If I let you walk into danger and you got hurt, I would never forgive myself. I cannot afford to watch you suffer.”
‘And I won’t forgive myself if I don’t try,’ I snapped back. ‘Elias, whether you allow me to or not, I will stand there and I will do this for our family. There is no way you could change my mind.’
His shoulders slumped tiredly before he sighed heavily. ‘You’re not going to,’ he said through clenched teeth. His hands balled up into fists. ‘I’ll take your place, Talia! I don’t want you to risk your life. You’re so young!”
‘You’re only two years older than me!’ I screamed, trying to reason with him. ‘Elias, you’ve fought for our family so many times. It’s my turn. You stay here and look after Mum.” I walked up to him and threw my arms around my brother’s shoulders. ‘I’ll be fine,’ I whispered. ‘I promise. You guys are my motivation.’
As I hugged him, he was stiff. I could tell he was caught up in an internal battle. After a few more reassuring words, Elias’s shoulders slumped and he wrapped his arms around me. ‘I trust you, Talia,’ he said. ‘But I’m sorry. I can’t approve of this.’
‘I know,’ I smiled, pulling back. ‘I knew you wouldn’t, and I know you never will.’
‘If you don’t come out of there alive,’ his voice trembled. ‘I don’t know what I’ll do.’
‘I’ll come out alive,’ I whispered. ‘If I don’t, just know that you are the reason I’m so tough today. I cannot express my gratitude. I’m so blessed to have you in my life. You have taught me so much. I love you, big brother.’
‘I love you too, little sister,’ he replied solemnly.
‘Hold your head up high and smile,’ I recited, remembering the words Elias always used to tell me when I was younger. “Stand tall and stay strong. You are strong.’
Elias chuckled, even though it wasn’t funny, and ruffled my hair. ‘You too, Talia.’
‘I’ve always admired your bravery,’ Tasha sighed, hugging me tightly. ‘Please be careful. You’re like the younger sister I never had. I can’t imagine life without you.”
‘Tasha, you’re like the older sister I’ve never had,’ I smiled. ‘Take care of Elias. I’m glad he has you. He’s always worrying about everyone else, but at the end of the day, you’re the one with your arms wide open for him. Thank you for everything you have done for this family.’
After exchanging a few more words with my brother and his wife, I headed up to my mother’s room. Elias told me that she had heard the news, and that she wasn’t happy about it. My hands were clammy as I turned the doorknob and entered her room.
She was doing so much better. Her skin had its natural glow back. Her eyes weren’t drooping as much. She didn’t look as unwell as last time.
When she saw me, she dropped the television remote. She stared at me with sad eyes. Before she could say anything, her shoulders began to shake and she started to sob into her hands.
‘Mum,’ I whispered. I sat down next to her on the bed, feeling hesitant.
We could all agree on one thing. Seeing your mother cry is hard. It broke your heart. You didn’t know what to do, and before you knew it, you were crying too.
Tears streamed down my face as I slung an arm across her shoulder. ‘Mum,’ I said once again.