Page 78 of The Afterthought

"That's my good whore." I pick up my pace, rubbing small circles around her clit while slamming into her from behind.

"Grey, I'm going to come again," she cries out.

"Good. Come with me, baby. Come on my cock while I fill you up."

A pleasurable scream leaves her when she tumbles over the cliff. I jump with her, grunting and releasing every single drop of myself inside her while her walls clench around me. I pull out and fall to the floor next to her, pulling her in close to me as the two of us try to catch our breath.

I turn to face her. "I thought you would be upset with me when I didn't show up to Chloe's graduation, but instead, you turned up here and saved the day."

"I was upset," she confesses.

"But you didn't run. You sought me out to give me the chance to explain things."

"I'm not going to lie. I considered leaving, but I couldn't," she admits. I can't fault her for having that moment of doubt after everything we’ve been through.

"What changed your mind?"

"You did." She glances up at me. "Over the last few weeks, you've proven over and over that you would always be there for me. You made a promise that you would never hurt me again, and I chose to believe in you."

I sigh and pull her closer. "I should have texted you immediately when I got the texts from Knox's phone. I hesitated, and I shouldn't have. When I convinced myself I was being fucking stupid, Kai called, and my mind was on getting him and getting here."

"What would you have done if I did leave?"

"Ava, if you left, I would likely be dead." If she would not have shown up when she did, we would all be dead.

"Say, by chance, someone else intervened. One of the crew saved the day," she tosses out.

"If I was alive, I would track you down and drag you back here by any means necessary."

"Is that right?" She raises a brow at me.

"Fuck yeah, it is. You're mine. I'd have my way with you and then put my mark on you so you never have questioning thoughts ever again. Then, I'd have to punish you for trying to get away from me."

A grin crosses her face. "Careful, you know I like being punished. I might just have to go for a little run and see what happens."

"I'll always find you, Avalynn." I lean in and kiss her. "You are the very air I breathe. The oxygen that fuels the raging inferno inside me."

She leans in to kiss me softly. I brush a stray piece of hair behind her ear and pull back. "I could sink my cock back inside you right now and get lost in you for days.”

"Actually, I should get back to the house. Chloe is leaving in the morning, and she probably thinks I'm insane. When I realized something was off, I called her to have Matt reach out to the crew. I kind of yelled at him and called him an idiot."

"We were all idiots for not realizing something was up." I stand and pull her up next to me, leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose. "Let's get you home to your sister."

As we are putting our clothes back on, something catches my eye. On the floor, next to where her dress was, is the bloodstone crystal heart I got for her. I walk over, lean down, and pick it up.

"You carry it with you?" I tilt my head in question.

"You've been carrying around that stupid lighter for how many years now? Don't even start with me." She snatches the crystal from my hand to slip it back into her pocket.

I smile and grab her hand to lead her out of the shed and towards the garage. Her orange hair catches the light in the most perfect way, and I've never been so damn proud to call someone mine. I'm never letting her go.

Chapter 35

Avalynn

Greyson stayed back at the garage yesterday for the mandatory meeting with the Crimson Rose, which was perfect because Chloe and I were able to spend the evening together. Both Grey and Matt came home a few hours before we went to bed, looking tense. I'm sad they are leaving today but also excited for her to embark on their adventure. I know Matt is a good guy and will take care of her.

I roll over to find Greyson awake and staring at me. He slept here with me again last night. Now that I think about it, he's been sleeping here a lot. I look at the closet across the room and see he has a whole section of clothing in there. When the hell did that happen? It's like we've come full circle.

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