Page 35 of Ignited Spirits (Haunted Magic #3)

“Why you’re not running off, screaming. You know how fucked in the head I am. You know I have a penchant for murder. You know I know I’m not a good man. So why are you still looking at me like you love me just the same, Isabel?”

“Because I do. And you are absolutely a good man.” When I give her a skeptical look, she huffs.

“How many people have you seen me kill, Cain? If you think murdering some bad guys is going to scare me off, you don’t know me that well.

And I hope I’m not such a terrible person you honestly think I’d judge you for being abused. ”

She looks a little hurt, and I hate that I did that to her.

“I’m sorry, angel.” I cup the back of her neck and rub small circles there to reassure her.

“I think you’re the best person I’ve ever met.

You’re so genuinely good that there’s a chance a little of that will rub off on me one of these days.

I just don’t understand why you want me knowing all of it. I often wish I could be someone else.”

I don’t know if I always wanted to be someone else when I was younger, but it’s been an ever-present wish after my dads died. If I were different, maybe they’d still be here. Maybe Mother would’ve grown to love me. Maybe a lot of things would’ve changed for the better, but I guess I’ll never know.

Isabel’s eyes, sadder than before, fill with determination.

“I want you because you are so fucking sweet and care so much about those who matter to you. I want you because your quiet strength balances out my loud, sarcastic impulsiveness, and you always have a way of making me feel safe and calm. I want you because, despite what you think, you’re a good man who made it almost impossible not to fall in love with you.

I love you, Cain. With everything I am.”

After her declaration that makes me feel more than I can handle, Isabel leans in and presses her mouth to mine for what’s supposed to be a quick kiss.

But I don’t let her go.

Instead, I crush her to me and turn it into a rough, demanding clashing of lips because I need her. I need to feel her against me. I need to feel how much she wants me. I need to feel that she’s real and isn’t running for the hills.

Eventually, I reluctantly pull back. Both of us are breathing hard as we stare at each other silently.

I’m the one to break the charged silence.

“I love you too, Isabel. I love your fire and sass and refusal to accept the wrongs of the world. I love how you love so fiercely and would do anything for those you care about. I love how you’ve turned my life upside down and made it more than just something I have to get through.

Because of you, I look forward to each day now, which isn’t something I’ve felt since I was a child. ”

A tear drips down her cheek, and I reach out to swipe it away with my thumb. She closes her eyes and leans into my touch before pulling back. “You’re so damn sweet. Stop it before you make me start sobbing.”

My lips tip up in the genuine smile that she alone is able to coax out of me. I don’t think I truly smiled after my dads died until she came into my life. She didn’t magically heal all the broken and messed-up pieces of me, but she certainly made them easier to bear.

Bumping her nose gently with mine, I rasp, “I love you, angel.”

“I love you, too, quiet boy.” She bites her lip uncertainly before blowing out a breath. “If I’m being honest, you being a badass vigilante who takes out the worst of the worst, that my brothers and I could only dream of taking down, is kinda hot.”

I choke on a surprised laugh at that. Of all the reactions I expected her to have when she learned about my past and how I dealt with it, finding it attractive wasn’t one of them.

She smiles at my laughter, and it makes my heart feel like it’s going to beat out of my chest. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how something as simple as a smile or laugh from her can make my day.

Isabel squirms around my lap, trying to find a comfortable position. I groan as she rubs herself against my dick, the thin material of my sweats and her panties doing nothing to disguise the heat of her center.

She pauses and turns wide eyes to me. “Am I hurting you?”

I shake my head, unable to muster the brainpower to form any words as she starts moving again, sending all the blood to my cock. Placing my hands on her hips, I still her distracting motion. “No, you didn’t hurt me.”

“Why’d you make a pained sound, then?”

“Because you were grinding your pussy over my dick, angel. I seem to lack any control around you, so I’m doing my best not to push aside your panties and slide into you.”

Her eyes dilate and her breathing picks up. Isabel’s obvious interest in what everything in me is screaming to do snaps what little remains of my restraint.

I reach my hand between her legs and pull her already damp panties to the side.

Without warning, I shove a finger in, causing her to let out a choked shout.

After a few pumps, I add another finger.

With each thrust, my thumb brushes her clit, sending her spiraling higher until she clamps down on me and comes with a long moan.

Removing my fingers from her tight heat, I lift her up until she’s kneeling over me and push my sweatpants down. Shoving her panties aside again, I wrap my fist around my dick and position it so I can lower her onto me. The head of my cock just breaches her entrance when the door slams open.