Page 29 of Monstrosity

I can feel him pulsing inside me, and it triggers another mini-orgasm that leaves me trembling.

We stay locked together for long moments, both breathing hard.

When he finally lifts his head, the look in his eyes steals my breath—possessive and tender and completely wrecked.

"I love you," he says roughly. "So fucking much."

"I love you too," I whisper, touching his face.

He kisses me soft and sweet, a stark contrast to the passion of moments before.

When he carefully pulls out and settles beside me, I curl into him immediately.

"So," I say eventually, still catching my breath. "That happened."

He laughs, pressing a kiss to my hair. "About fuckin’ time."

"Years of foreplay will do that."

"Worth the wait?"

I prop myself up to look at him. "Definitely worth the wait."

His expression goes serious again. "I meant what I said. About keeping you safe. About burning the world down. I need you to understand what you're signing up for."

"I understand." I trace the tattoo on his chest—a skull, beautifully detailed. "I'm not naive, Rio. I know your world is dangerous. I know there will be nights you come home bloody, days when we have to look over our shoulders. But I also know that you're worth it. This family is worth it."

"Our family," he corrects softly.

"Our family," I agree, and the words feel like a vow.

His phone buzzes from the kitchen where we left it.

Then the house phone rings.

Then buzzes again.

"You should probably get that," I say reluctantly.

He kisses me once more, deep and possessive, before pulling on his jeans. "Don't move."

I watch him go, admiring the view, then burrow into the blankets that smell like us.

Like new beginnings forged in this craziness.

He returns a few minutes later, expression grim. "They're gone. Pulled out about ten minutes ago."

"That's good, right?"

"Maybe." He sits on the edge of the bed. "Or they were just making sure we knew they could get close. Wanted to fuck with our heads."

"Well, it's not working," I declare, sitting up and letting the sheet pool at my waist. "We're not going to live in fear."

His eyes darken again, distracted by my state of undress. "No?"

"No." I crawl toward him. "We're going to be smart and careful, but we're not going to let them win by making us afraid to live our lives."

"Our lives," he repeats, pulling me into his lap. "I like the sound of that."