Page 54 of Lethal Justice

Tears filled her eyes as she spoke, allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of him. “You were taken away in front of my eyes, and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I wished I had a gun to kill Kasten, so you’d be safe. When he said I had to drop all the investigation to save you, I wanted to do it. With all my being, I wanted to save you, and I couldn’t.” Tears flowed down her face, but it was impossible to stop them. “When I decided that I had to continue, it felt like I was signing your death warrant. If you hadn’t escaped, if he had killed you, I…” Words failed her as the full impact of her fear for the man she loved hit her for the first time.

Malco, who’d listened to her intently, stopped the rest of her words by kissing her. He was still wounded and should be the one taking it easy, but Frida needed this contact like she needed her next breath. He pulled the covers off her, and she shivered, not only from the cool air but also from pure lust as his free hand cupped her breast.

His tongue demanded entrance to her mouth, and she yielded, her own hands scouring every inch of him, mindful of his wounds and bruises until she reached and squeezed his perfect ass.

Seeming to forget his own soreness, Malco knelt between her thighs but winced as the wound at his side pulled at him, breaking the kiss on a hiss.

“Maybe you should rest. We can wait, love.”

But he shook his head. “I want you more than I feel the pain.”

So did she, and knew it would be nearly impossible to convince him otherwise, so she shifted until she was on her knees, forcing him to lie under her. His expression lightened when he realized what she intended to do, and a smile slowly eased his features, making her smile in return.

“And all I want is for you not to feel pain, but pleasure. So, let me take the lead on this one.”

Now straddling him, her sex rubbed against him a few times as she gathered her courage. It was the first time she’d displayed herself like this to his gaze and had never felt so self-conscious in her life. What gave her confidence was how he licked his lips while his eyes roamed her body. His hands kneaded her thighs until she finally took his erection and guided him until she had him deep inside her. The feeling of fullness and friction was sublime, and a moan purred out of her before she realized it.

“Move, Frida. Move for me, make me see stars too.”

His rough command was undeniable, and even if she had the upper hand, it was impossible to deny him.

Pleasure rose sure and fast, and when he snuck his fingers between her legs and started a slow rub around her clit, making her head spin, she had to put her hands on his chest to stay upright.

“This madness is only ours, my love. My Frida. You can feel it, can’t you? How much I want you, how much deeper this thing between us is than just lust.”

She absorbed his words, every syllable of them, this raw declaration of the love that had taken them both by surprise, forged by their common past and the very fabric of their souls.

“Yes, yes, it is. I love you, Malco. Please never sacrifice yourself for me again. I’d rather you stand by my side and fight with me.”

The words flowed, revealing her feelings for the man, as her body became desperate for his, her hips bucking against him, his meeting hers. She should’ve been worried about his comfort, but she was too far gone. Everything was moving too fast to be stopped now.

Malco took her free hand, bringing it to his lips as he heightened his assault with the other. “I love you too.”

Frida shattered, screaming his name as she felt him pulsing inside her, his low groan a sure sign he was as lost as she was, and had been found in each other’s arms.

Her body shut the world out for a moment, suspended in time, focused only on their shared pleasure, this connection she never thought she craved.

Peace invaded her as she melted into his arms, leaning on his good side. As consciousness came back to her, she was glad to see him as breathless and sweaty as she was, but it was his lopsided grin that spread delicious heat in her chest.

This shared silence was precious, and when Malco kissed her hair, she wiggled a little closer. “Are you cold?”

“No. Are you hurting?”

“It’s a good kind of hurt. And if you want to have your way with me again, I’m ready for another round.”

“I don’t want to overexert my sex god.”

Malco relaxed even more. “Glad to know everything that’s happened hasn’t made you reconsider loving me.”

It was her turn to tense. “Why would it? Are you having second thoughts?”

He took her hand and nipped at her palm. “Not in a million years. I just thought that because of everything that has happened, with the police and the gang, you’d be reminded of things you’d rather forget. I’m part of that past with my brother and what happened to your sister. We’re linked because of it. I was worried that by being pulled into that darkness and violence, you’d realize it wasn’t something you ever wanted again.”

The way he averted his eyes made her realize that she hadn’t been the only one struggling with the return of a past they’d rather forget.

“I love you, Malco Aguilar. You, your heart, scars, and past. You’re a package deal, and I wouldn’t change a thing about you. I saw how good you are at your work and how your past helped you. All I ask is that you’re careful, and you don’t shut me out to protect me. I can take way more than you think. I need you to trust me.”

He turned and looked deep in her eyes, caressing her face with the tips of his fingers. “I think it will take a little time for me to stop being the man I am, sweetheart, but I will try.”

Her laughter poured out of her as part of the world righted itself. She was stronger with him, and she suspected that happy discovery was only the beginning of the wonderful things they’d share together. “I can accept that.”

“I think we both need it. I know the next months will be busy ones for both of us, but I’ll be sure to add romantic touches here and there. A reminder of how much I love you.”

Lips hovering over his, Frida smiled. “I could never forget, but I’ll never say no to a reminder. The more often, the better.”

His smile said it all when he took her lips again. From two children prisoners of dangerous gangs, they had come a long way, but at last, they had found their place in the world and in each other’s arms. For better and for worse had never sounded so perfect and exciting as Frida kissed the most wonderful man she had ever known.