Elle’s attention goes back to my stomach. “You better be a girl so I can teach you how to kick some arse.”
I grin despite myself. “That’s so sexist, Ellie. Does that mean you won’t teach a boy?”
“His father can do that.”
My grin widens. His father can do that on one condition that he doesn’t raise him into a professional.
The door opens – no knock whatsoever – and Shadow storms inside.
A bag of med dangles from his hand, but he doesn’t seem to be hurt anywhere. Thank God.
Elle stands. “We’ll talk later.”
I make an affirmative sound. She squeezes my hand one more time then she’s out of the door.
Shadow strides to my side, fishing into the bag and reading through the labels. “This is for now. This is for after meals and this –”
I stand up, ignoring the ache in the back of my head, and hold his hand. “Why aren’t you looking at me?”
He does, and the deep ache and anger in his metallic gaze takes me back by surprise. Biting words come out of his lips. “What the fuck were you doing there alone, Zoe?”
I resist the urge to flinch. Being out alone for Johnny to single me out is my fault, and I should take responsibility. “I’m sorry. I went to dig Dad’s capsule… wait. Where is it?”
He motions at the corner of the room where the metallic box rests on the table. “Elle and I could’ve gone with you.”
“I wasn’t thinking clearly. If I knew I would be attacked, I wouldn’t have done it.”
A harsh breath leaves his lips. “I thought something happened to you. I thought you wanted to fucking die, Zoe.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his hard chest. He smells of cloves and scotch and safety. I never felt so whole as much as I do with Shadow.
He’s a killer but his arms are the safest place to be.
“I don’t want to die, Shadow. I was living for the wrong reasons before but now I’m not.”
He searches my face with his inquisitive, piercing gaze. “Sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“You know I’m crazy enough to follow you to hell and torment you there, right?”
I laugh and nuzzle my nose along his neck. “I sure do.”
“I mean it. I hold a grudge, beautiful.”
My tongue darts out and I lick the pulse point in his throat before I bite hard until his muscles tense. I whisper against his ear, “Then what are you going to do about this?”
He grunts and closes his eyes for the briefest second as if summoning control. “Don’t fucking push me. You’re injured.”
I nibble along his neck with slow kisses and gentle bites. My fingers roam underneath his T-shirt until I’m stroking his hard skin.
Touching him has become a need like breathing air. After the attack, all I care about is to be with Shadow. I need his warmth. His intensity. All of it.
I latch on his belt and pull down his trousers and boxer briefs until his erection springs free. With a deep breath, I drop to my knees in front of him. The scrapes burn, but I pay them no attention.
“Zoe…” Shadow trails off then sucks in a breath when I curl my hands around his hard, pulsing cock in my hands. “Fuck, beautiful.”
“You’re the only person I’ll get on my knees for.” I lick my lips and take him in my mouth.
He grunts as I cup his balls and continue licking and sucking him. His fingers thread in my hair, far from my injury. I work him harder and faster. My arousal matches the lusty look on his face, but I don’t attempt to touch myself.
This is about him.
More than the physical connection, I want to show him I’m grateful for having him in my life. For the gift he left inside my womb. For saving us today.
I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if he didn’t find us.
Shadow’s fingers thread in my hair harsher, then he drops it, probably remembering the injury. Instead, he thrust his hips forward.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He grunts as he fucks my mouth and hits the back of my throat, and my gag reflex shoots. My eyes fill with tears and I cease breathing. He pulls back, giving me some control before he’s at it again.
When I feel him close, I fasten my pace. However, Shadow slides out from my mouth.
“What…?” I pant for breath as I lick my lips, chasing the remains of his taste.