Page 83 of Day Shift

She jerked away from my embrace, turning to face me with wide eyes. Sniffing, she wiped her tears away and stared at me. “Conan, you can’t fight this battle for me,” she insisted in desperation. “You can’t take on three mafia family syndicates. I can’t stand the thought of you putting yourself in danger for me. The Volkovs have already caused enough pain in your life and your family’s lives. Besides, how bad can marrying Frankie Moretti be?”

She gripped my shoulders tightly. “Promise me you won’t fight for me.” Her voice cracked. “The time we shared—even though it was short—was the best of my life. I’m grateful for having at least tasted the freedom to love and be loved.”

Tears streamed down her face, and she clung to me. “Please, just make love to me, Conan. Don’t think about anything else. I want to know what it feels like to have an emotional connection, not just a physical one. I want to know what it’s like to have a man make love to me at least once in my life.”

Her words cut through me like a knife. I cupped her face, wiping away her tears with my thumbs. “Angel, I…”

“Please, Conan,” she begged. “Don’t speak of the future or anything outside of the here and now. Let’s just focus on what we have, because none of us are promised a tomorrow.”

I tugged her to me, my lips finding hers in a desperate kiss. She cupped the back of my head, pulling me closer as if she could meld us together. Her mouth was warm and soft, tasting faintly of strawberry yogurt. My lips found hers. Our breaths mingled, creating an intoxicating mix that made me want to lose myself in her.

I lifted Angel in my arms and pivoted, placing her gently on the bed. Then I leaned over on one knee. Starting at her hips and tracing the curves of her body, I slid my hands up her sides, taking the T-shirt with me. I pulled it off over her head and tossed it to the floor. Then I shoved down the boxer briefs I was wearing and climbed into the bed next to her.

Lovingly I kissed away her tears, trailing my lips down her neck, along her collarbone, then between the swell of her breasts, breathing in her scent. She smelled like vanilla and something uniquely her, something that drove me wild. She arched her back as I kissed and nibbled. While my fingers glided over her skin, I lavished attention on her breasts.

Her hands roamed over my back, tracing the lines of my muscles. She sighed softly and melted into my touch. I wanted to give her everything, to make this moment something she’d never forget.

I brushed kisses down her center and over her mound, finally settling between the apex of her legs. There I took my time, savoring the way she tasted and the way she responded to me. Slowly, I licked and explored her folds as she gripped the back of my head.

“I miss your long hair and being able to twist my fingers in it,” she whined, searching for a way to get the friction she craved. I slipped a hand under her leg and grasped her hip, tugging her closer to me, giving her what she begged for.

Her body shuddered, and she let out a moan. “Oh God, Conan…yes…”

I licked and swirled my tongue over her clit, diving a finger into her wet channel. “God, you’re so wet and tight, my Angel,” I praised, increasing the speed of my finger and the flicking of my tongue against her clit in a coordinated rhythm. Under my ministrations, she writhed and moaned, spurring me on.

Her breathing became erratic, and she started bucking her hips against my mouth. Needing to give her more friction to reach climax, I sucked her clit into my mouth, flicking my tongue quickly and more firmly. At the same time I curled my finger within her, brushing over her sensitive spot. She cried out, her body tensing as she tumbled over the edge. Her inner muscles clenched around my finger while she exploded.

I loved the way she came all over my face, the way her body trembled with pleasure. Satisfied, I continued my strokes, prolonging her orgasm until she was spent and her body collapsed back onto the bed. This was only the beginning of what I wanted to do to her.

I moved up her body, kissing her hip bone, tracing circles over her skin with my tongue, and positioning my hips between her legs. Her chest heaved with each breath she took, and her eyes were glazed with satisfaction. My lips traveled along her ribs, between her breasts, and up her throat before capturing her mouth in a passionate, loving kiss. It wasn’t hard or demanding; I wanted her to feel loved and cherished. I savored the thought that she could taste herself on my lips. Playfully, I bit her lower lip and sucked it into my mouth. Her breath hitched, and I smiled against her skin.

“I love making you feel this way,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re so beautiful.”

I kissed her deeply. This was more than just physical. This was something that made me want to protect her, cherish her, and never let her go.

Sliding my arms up under hers, I cradled her head in my hands, tangling my fingers in her luscious brown locks. This time, I would be careful and tender with her—it was all about her pleasure. The head of my cock pressed against her entrance, and I gradually slid inside her, inch by tantalizing inch. My kiss turned more fervent, and I groaned. “Your tight heat feels so good wrapped around my cock.”

Pausing for a moment, I allowed just enough of my weight to rest on her body to make her feel surrounded and protected without discomfort. Then I began to rock my hips, pumping in and out of her in a slow, sensual rhythm. She tried to moan, but I refused to let go of her mouth, swallowing all her delectable sounds as my hands pulled her close to me in a claiming embrace.

We moved together, lost in the moment, lost in each other. Every touch, every kiss, was filled with a passion that went beyond words. I sensed her need for this connection, and I gave everything I had.

When my climax surfaced, I held back, knowing she needed more time and more contact from me to reach her peak. I refused to come until she did, so I adjusted my hips until my pubic bone was rubbing against her clit, then increased my pace.

I kissed her, and feelings I’d never allowed myself to acknowledge before welled up. My heart was so full it was breaking. Struggling to keep my composure, I rocked my hips deliberately, rubbing against her nub as she built toward another orgasm. Our breathing grew erratic. I trailed kisses along her cheek and behind her ear, finally burying my face in her neck.

A flood of raw, unrestrained love and vulnerability surged through me and suddenly, emotions that I had never been brave enough to face before bombarded me. I refused to pull back, desperately trying to hide the tears I didn’t dare let her see. “Let go and come,” I whispered against her skin. “I want to feel your muscles squeeze my cock and milk the cum from me.” She was close but still held back. “On three,” I growled. “One…two…three.”

Like a good girl, she did exactly what she was told. Her knees pulled up, her thighs tightened, and she came hard, screaming my name and begging that I come too. My balls pulled tight, and I exploded inside her. Our bodies convulsed together, riding out the waves of our climax, and then I collapsed on top of her, my face still buried in her neck. I was so choked up I could barely breathe.

“I’ll never share you again,” I whispered so softly I didn’t know if she heard me.

We lay there together, the world outside forgotten. In that moment, nothing else mattered.

Chapter thirty-six

Iburied my face in Angel’s neck, fighting back the turmoil that raged inside me. This girl was wrecking me, and she didn’t even know it. I had to fucking get myself together. If Angel saw me upset, it would hurt her confidence in me. She might worry that I wouldn’t be able to protect her from the mafia’s arranged marriage and those who would harm her if she didn’t comply.

She traced her fingers along my sides and back. “You always make me Jell-O in your arms. I seriously don’t know if I’m going to be able to walk,” she said, breathing heavily. “You all good?” she asked, sensing my angst.

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