I melted into him, my fingers curling into his shirt as I kissed him back.
Ronan didn’t hesitate; his grip tightened, one hand sliding to my waist, the other threading into my hair as I melted into him. His tongue swept into my mouth, teasing, demanding, tasting me like he wanted to do it for the rest of his life.
I wouldn’t mind that one bit.
A soft noise escaped me, and he groaned in response, pulling me flush against him. Every inch of me pressed into him, and hewas solid, all heat and strength, his body promising me things I wasn’t sure I was ready for —but damn, did I want.
I don’t know how long we stood there, lost in each other, but when he finally pulled back, his breathing was heavy, his forehead resting against mine.
“Fuck,” he murmured.
His thumb brushed against my lower lip, blue eyes flicking down to my mouth like he was already thinking about doing it again.
And honestly? So was I.
“God, I want you.” His voice was thick with hunger.
I licked my lips, still tasting him. My body was already responding, heat pooling low in my stomach, my skin buzzing with anticipation.
“I want you too,” I admitted.
Ronan stilled for a beat, his eyes searching mine, almost like he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
“You sure?” He rasped out. “Because if you say yes, I’m taking you to my room, and we won’t leave for the rest of the day. I’ve wanted this… wanted you… for so long.”
His fingers brushed down my arm, barely grazing my skin, but it was enough to set every nerve in my body alight. “And once I taste you, Cherry,” he leaned in, his breath hot against my ear, “I won’t ever let you go.”
I swallowed hard, my heart slamming against my ribs. My body had already decided, but my lips sealed it. I stood on my toes, brushing my mouth against his—soft and slow.
“I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life than I am about you.”
A low growl rumbled from his chest before he grabbed me, strong hands gripping my thighs as he lifted me effortlessly. My legs wrapped around his waist, and he didn’t waste a second. His mouth crushed against mine, hungry and claiming, as he carriedme through the apartment, the sound of his footsteps echoing as he took me toward the bedroom, never breaking the kiss. The door slammed shut behind us with a resounding thud, but it was his hands, his lips, his body that consumed me completely.
There was nothing else now—only him.
Chapter 16
RONAN
She was fucking breathtaking.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her. I couldn't stop tasting those lips—soft, full, sweet like syrup strawberries, and I was more than happy to drown in them.
Her silver eyes caught mine, flecks of violet hiding like secrets she hadn’t even told herself yet. And those freckles—little constellations scattered across her skin —I was pretty sure the universe had drawn them to mess with me. Honestly, it should be illegal to look that good. But I was lucky. I was totally addicted. And trust me, I don’t get addicted easily.
I’ve wanted her the moment I saw her in those woods with that dragon. The pull between us—violent, magnetic, Inevitable—scared the shit out of me. It still does because I have never felt like this, I’m not allowed to. Hunters of the Veilguard aren’t meant to love; we were only trained to serve Velmore and Vespera. No attachments. No weakness. No distractions.
But none of that matters anymore.
Because when I look at her, duty might as well be a joke. All I see is something I’d throw myself into without a second thought—something worth breaking every rule, burning every bridge, and still wanting more.
We will be signing our death warrants the second we go against the queen—but my Cherry? She has a real shot at ending this and ending her.
Burning the whole rotten kingdom to the ground and building something better in its place.
And I’ll be right there with her—every damn step.
Let them come for us. I don’t care what it costs or how bad it gets. I’d watch this world crumble into ash and smile through the flames if it meant she got to tear Vespera from the throne.
