Page 134 of The Merciless King

I nearly lost her.

I will never do that again.

As her body trembled under my mouth, I yanked my own clothes away and let my cock spring free.

Then climbed over her and thrust inside.

“Tell me you love me,” I demanded.

“Braxton. I love you,” Gianna cried out again, her nails digging into me.

I wanted her to draw blood.

Passionately, we kissed and bit one another as our hunger took over. Thrust after thrust, I pounded into her, finally fucking the woman I loved as the man I really am.

Braxton Ashford. US Marine.

Now, as she lies sated in my arms, I feel calm and as if the world—or at least my world—has righted itself.

It will take time to fully find our feet.

Together.

“Will he be arrested?” she asks regarding her brother.

“I don’t know. The feds are in charge now,” I say, pulling her leg over mine.

I want every surface of her body connected to mine.

“He could have shot me tonight, but he didn’t.” I decide to tell her, because I want to understand. “Why would he do that?”

Her mouth drops open.

“Because he knows I love you.” Tears pool in her eyes.

I want to see this woman smile again and one day soon I will. There is a lot of ground to cover first.

We have a life to build.

Promises to make and keep.

“Will they find him?”

“No. Probably not.” She shakes her head.

Why do I sense she knows where he is? Right now is not the time.

Right now, I have a question to ask her.

“Did you hear everything I said to you at the hospital, Gia? Really hear me?”

She nods, but I can see she’s not sure.

“You said I was yours.”

“You are mine. Forever, sweetheart. I promised myself long ago I would never tell a woman I loved her unless I meant it and planned to spend my life with her.”

Cue the parting lips.

---