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“Thank you,” I whispered, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her face, careful not to wake her. Her serene expression eased the gnawing sense of responsibility that tugged at my conscience, reminding me that I’d promised her I’d take a break, let myself recover, and allow her to take care of me.
Resisting the urge to reach for my phone and check for updates from the other alphas or Clawson, I pulled the covers up over us, then wrapped my arm around Tori, drawing her closer.For now, I would forget about the threats, the responsibility—everything—and just focus on the small sanctuary we had created here.
As we lay there, my mind wandered back to the tattoo Tori had designed for me. Carrying a piece of my uncle with me would be a tangible reminder of his strength and resilience.
“Maybe I will get that tattoo,” I said softly, the words barely audible as they slipped past my lips. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, a glimmer of hope flickered within me, and I allowed myself to believe that things would be okay. Tori and I, together, would conquer any challenges that crossed our path.
For now, in the quiet hours before dawn, I reveled in the peace and comfort of having her by my side and drifted back to sleep, more secure and loved than ever before.
Chapter 35
Tori
The first light of dawn peeked through the curtains, illuminating Ridge’s face. I smiled as I watched him sleep, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His color was almost back to normal. When I thought back to the deathly pallor before his forced shift after the vampire bite…even thinking about those few hours terrified me. It was a relief to see him looking so much better after everything he had been through.
With my fingertips, I lightly traced his profile from the top of his brow, down his nose to his chin, and then along the curve of his jaw. His eyes fluttered open. “Good morning,” I said.
He turned to face me, and man, did he look handsome, all rumpled from sleep.
“Morning.” He rolled over onto his side, his voice still thick with fatigue. “How did you sleep?”
“Better than I have in days,” I admitted. I’d been too scared to sleep, afraid I’d miss something and that he’d relapse. When exhaustion had forced me to sleep, I was haunted by the images of the venom’s effects seared into my brain.
But he was here with me, alive, and looked like he was back to being fighting fit again. The tension that had been coiling in the pit of my stomach finally loosened its grip. Caring for himthese last few days had been no hardship—he deserved it. He worked his ass off for other people. These past few days were the first time since I’d met Ridge that I’d seen him just relax, just be. Of course, that was only because I wouldn’t let him do anything.
“I’m glad you slept.” He smiled lovingly, his fingers caressing my cheek as he brushed my hair behind my ear. I leaned into the touch, and he kissed me long and languidly, his lips soft against mine, his hand cupping my face.
His powerful arms pulled me closer, embracing me tightly. Rolling us over, he positioned himself above me, his elbows resting on either side of my head. My heart pounded as I stared into the face of the most incredible man I’d ever met. He’d saved me, made me believe I belonged somewhere. I loved him fiercely and unconditionally, with all my heart and soul.
I had an overwhelming urge to sink my teeth into his shoulder and complete the mating bond. After everything we’d survived together, I knew I was ready. But I reined in my burning need to complete the bond. This wasn’t the right time.
I ran my arms up along his back to his neck, playing with the short hairs at the base of it. “I love you, Ridge, more than I ever thought possible.” I pressed my lips to his, attempting to convey the depths of my love for him.
Our tongues engaged in a sensual dance. Running my hands over his back and shoulders, I felt his skin, soft and supple, a stark contrast to the strong muscles underneath. I followed the contours of his muscles round to his chest, circling his nipples. Lifting my head, I flicked my tongue over one, then the other, eliciting a hiss from him.
My fingers were following the hard planes of his abdomen, just about to reach the tantalizing trail of hair that led to his straining erection, when he grabbed my wrists and held them above my head.
“Ridge, please,” I whimpered.
He silenced my protest, capturing my lips in a searing kiss, expertly exploring my mouth, then placing butterfly kisses over my face, my brow, my closed eyelids, nose, and cheek before nibbling my earlobe, setting off a wave of exhilarating sensations. His lips nuzzled against the curve of my throat, lingering on the pulse point where my heart thumped hard against the surface, and I felt him smile against my skin.
Arousal heated my blood as Ridge trailed kisses along my collarbone and down to my breasts.His mouth expertly lavished attention on each breast, alternating between drawing the sensitive buds into the heat of his mouth, then blowing on them lightly. His chilly breath caressed my damp nipples, sending a surge of pleasure pulsing through my body directly to my throbbing clit.
He slid his hand between our bodies, running a finger along the seam of my pussy, keeping his touch deliberately light. He did not part my lower lips, but caressed me enough that I couldn’t ignore him. Straining to release my hands, I resorted to begging. “Please, Ridge. More.”
Suddenly, his finger penetrated my heated core. My back arched, and I let out a deep moan. Another finger slipped into me, skillfully caressing an elusive spot inside me, intensifying my pleasure. Before my body lost itself to the sensation, he stopped, pulling his hand away from my body. I groaned in disappointment. “No, no, please don’t stop.”
“Shh.” Ridge’s voice was low and heavy with desire. “Let me look after you.”
His pupils dilated, betraying his desire, and the hard length of his cock brushed against my leg.
His thumb tapped a staccato beat on my clit, and I arched into him, my breasts brushing against his chest. Ridge fucked me with his fingers, never taking his eyes from mine. My breath came in heavy pants. Just before my orgasm could explode, hestopped, his fingers stilling inside my needy pussy. When my breathing slowed, he continued his delicious torture.
I’d lost count of how many times I’d been close to orgasm, so close it threatened to overwhelm me. Each time he sensed it, he slowed or stopped, only to start his deliberate and tantalizing strokes again. I was a sweating, quivering bundle of nerves. I moaned, unable to string together an intelligible thought, let alone speak out loud.
Ridge released my wrists, and I finally touched him, roaming my hands across the expanse of his broad back. He took hold of his hard cock and positioned it at the entrance of my pussy, slowly penetrating me. I wanted to respond by lifting myself up to meet his thrust, but his strong grip on my hips kept me in place.
The air was thick with the heady scent of our bodies mingling, a sweet and musky aroma. He kept up a slow, deliberate pace. I squeezed the muscles in my pussy around Ridge’s cock as he plunged deeper inside me, his thrusts growing more urgent and demanding. My thighs quivered as my orgasm built and then crested, exploding over me. My body convulsed, and I let out a guttural sound. I held on to him, surrendering to the overwhelming sensations.
