Page 43 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost (Nightfall Syndicate #1)

"I want you filled with my cum," Kade growls in my ear as he wraps his hand around my throat.

His words send a fresh surge of arousal through me. The thought of his seed taking root inside me, of carrying his child, is unexpectedly erotic. My mind tries to make sense of this new desire, but is quickly swept away by pure sensation.

My legs tremble uncontrollably as I push back against him, desperate to feel every inch. My pussy pulses with each movement, overwhelmed by the incredible fullness. Waves of bliss crash over me again and again, building to a crescendo I can barely contain.

"Let go," Kade growls, his voice sharp and dark, commanding me to break open. "Come for me. Show me you're mine."

My insides throb in rhythm with his rigid cock, my breaths coming fast and shallow as the pressure mounts within me.

My thoughts spin wildly, my eyes closing tight, and without warning I'm hit by an avalanche of sensation. I moan loudly as the dam bursts, my pussy clenching and spasming, my clit throbbing furiously.

Searing ecstasy ripples through my body in intense surges, causing my thighs and hips to shake beyond my control.

He's right. Mine. His. Completely.

Kade growls as he comes inside me, his release spilling hot and wet. He collapses against my back, releasing his hold on my throat and bracing himself with one arm to avoid crushing me with his full weight.

I topple forward onto the bed, my legs giving out. Kade pulls out slowly, his hand steadying himself against the mattress. I whimper softly at the sudden emptiness, feeling his cum trickling down my thighs.

Before I can sink deeper into the bed, Kade scoops me up in his arms. He cradles me gently against his chest as he lays me in the center of the mattress. I'm surprised by his tender touch after the intensity of our encounter.

Kade disappears into the bathroom for a moment. He returns with a warm, damp towel and cleans me with surprising care. His touch is so gentle now, a contrast to his forceful dominance earlier. Once he's finished, he tosses the towel aside and pulls me into his arms.

"Did I hurt you?" His deep voice rumbles against my ear, rough-edged and cautious. A question that reveals more concern than his usual stoic demeanor allows.

I blink up at him, still dazed from the intensity of my orgasm. "No," I whisper. "You didn't hurt me."

My body aches pleasantly, my skin still tingling from his touch. But it's a good kind of soreness—the kind that reminds me of the pleasure we just shared .

The city lights begin to twinkle as darkness descends, creating a cocoon of intimacy around us.

Kade's arms tighten around me, and I nestle closer to his warmth. Part of me is shocked at how quickly I've become comfortable with this intimacy. Just days ago, Kade was an intimidating mystery. Now I'm curled naked in his embrace, my body still humming from his touch.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Kade asks again, his fingers tracing soothing patterns on my back.

I nod against his chest. "I'm more than okay," I admit softly. "That was... intense. But in a good way."

I can feel the rumble of Kade's chuckle. "You surprised me, little journalist. I didn't expect you to be so... responsive."

Heat floods my cheeks at his words. I'm not usually so uninhibited in the bedroom. But something about Kade brings out a side of me I didn't know existed.

"I surprised myself," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've never felt like that before."

Kade's hand comes up to cup my cheek, tilting my face so I have to meet his eyes. The intensity of his gaze makes my breath catch.

"You're incredible, Alina," he says softly. "Strong. Brave. Passionate."

His praise warms me from the inside out. I want to bask in this moment, to forget about the dangers waiting for us beyond this room.

I snuggle closer to Kade, feeling safe and warm in his powerful arms. His fingers trace gentle patterns on my skin, so different from his forceful dominance earlier.

"For the record," I say, my analytical mind finally recovering, "this doesn't mean I'll stop challenging you. "

His lips curve slightly. "I'd be disappointed if you did, little hellcat." His tone is measured but there's warmth beneath it. "Your questions make us better. But when it comes to your safety—"

"That's different," I finish, understanding the distinction.

"Push those boundaries again," he murmurs, his hand tracing my spine, "and you'll find yourself right back where you were a few minutes ago."

The quiet promise in his voice sends a shiver through me that has nothing to do with fear.

I'm not sure that's the threat he thinks it is, but now is not the time to say it.

"I was so worried about you," Kade continues, his voice low and husky. "When I saw them carrying your limp body to that van..." He trails off, his arms tightening around me.

I look up at him, surprised by the raw emotion in his eyes. "I'm okay," I reassure him softly. "You found me. You saved me."

Kade's jaw clenches. "I'm supposed to protect you."

I can see the guilt and anger warring in his eyes. His arms tighten around me, as if he's afraid I'll disappear.

"Hey," I reach up to cup his cheek. "You can't control everything. Even the mighty Ghost has limits."

He captures my hand in his, pressing a kiss to my palm. The fury in his eyes has shifted, revealing a deeper emotion I can't quite name.

"I know. But seeing you in danger... it made me realize how much you mean to me. I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. "

His confession makes my heart ache. I understand the fear he must have felt, the helplessness of not knowing if he'd find me in time.

"Is that why you were so... intense earlier?"

Kade nods, looking slightly sheepish. "I needed to feel in control again. To feel you, to know you were really here and safe."

I tease him a little. "So you're admitting you're a control freak?"

He chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Maybe a little."

I smile up at him. "Well, don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. And for the record, I kind of like your controlling side."

Kade's eyes darken at my words. "Is that so, little journalist?"

I nod, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "You make me feel... safe. Protected. Even when you're being all domineering and bossy."

He leans down, his lips brushing against my ear. "I'll always protect you, Alina. I love you."

Kade's words hang in the air between us, making my entire body freeze. My heart hammers against my ribs so hard I swear he must hear it, and for a second, I can't even pull air into my lungs.

Holy shit. Did Kade Mercer, the fearsome Ghost, just tell me he loves me?

His eyes are already getting heavy, that post-adrenaline crash hitting him hard. He mumbles against my hair, "Just had to say it out loud. Don't make a big deal about it."

His arm tightens around me. "Go to sleep, hellcat."