Page 40 of Forbidden Bond

Except when he turned away, she surged higher. “Conn…” Over his shoulder, his eyes cut to hers. “That doesn’t mean leave, that means come over here.” Lifting her arms, she hoped he’d come to them, except he stayed put. “I missed you; I was so worried—scared, Conn. I was terrified you’d—I didn’t know what happened and… You don’t know how seeing you again is just—Mo Grá.”

Those powerful green eyes zeroed in as he turned. “Don’t you get it? You’re free, Bluebell.”

He’d never called her that before. When referencing her with his guys, yeah. From his mouth direct to her ears? Never.

“Free from… free from what?”

“Our failure freed you.”

“Our failure?”

“My failure,” he said. “We had a simple contract. The McDade shield protects you so long as we’re together. It failed, I failed, you have no obligation to me or our former relationship.”

“Former? This wasn’t…” Shit, she couldn’t believe his skewed perspective. “You didn’t fail. The McDades didn’t fail. My God, what have you been carrying?” Unfolding one leg, then the other, she left the bed to get closer. “Where am I always safe? With you.” Nothing had changed that belief, that truth. “You didn’t fail, you proved yourself.” His frown deepened. “Not only was I safe with you, you gave your life for mine. The McDade shield didn’t fail, I failed it by letting a McLeod threat through. This wasn’t McDades’ fault. It was mine.” Sliding a hand up the center of his body, it ascended to his jaw. “Mo Grá.” Didn’t he see it? Feel it? Understand nothing could ever part them. “I’m yours. Forever. I’ve never been prouder of you, safer with you, than I was in that room. Though…” Her hand dropped to her chest in a fist. “I can understand you may never forgive me. I put you there. Put you in—you took that shot for me, and my father—this was my mess, my doing and you—”

He grabbed the side of her head, his fingers biting deep, silencing her. “This is your kingdom.”

Yanking hard, he stole her mouth with his, the sweet pressure of his desperate need proved just how much he’d missed her. He’d been in pain too, just like her, physical, emotional, whatever it was, their need gave them life.

Locking an arm around her waist, he carried her to the bed, legs dangling. As he laid her down, he loosened his belt and with their eyes locked, he plunged inside her.

Body bucking, she called out. Tears instantly wet her eyes. Not tears of pain or sadness, gratified, complete, wonderful tears that kept flowing even as she smiled and moved with him.

His cock filling her full was the link they’d both missed. Neither could be whole without the promise of this union. Yes, itwas about pleasure and desire, but the need between them was deeper. She’d almost lost him, could’ve lost him, and she could only be certain of them by experiencing this.

“Conn…” she whispered, writhing with the thump of pleasure beating within her.

The word, his moniker, sped his thrusts, and her calls. She didn’t know who was close, even who was on the other side of the door. It didn’t matter. This McDade, her McDade, prioritized her safety.

Had he really believed he’d failed her? Shit, he must’ve been in agony. Though it wouldn’t have matched hers.

“Yes,” she whispered, her panting became quick, short gasps. “Yes, Conn—baby—Mo Grá.”

Love wasn’t enough, orgasm wasn’t enough, every whisper of need pulled and tugged, twining against him, around him, pulling his own climax with hers, demanding they both yield, surrender to the inevitable.

When he peaked, he slammed her over the line again. A string of foreign words leaped from his strained throat, through his gritted teeth.

Yes, this was her man, her completion.

FIFTEEN

CONN DIDN’T PULL out, he stayed inside her, exactly where she needed him, he knew, he remembered.

Pushing her hair from her face, he forced her chin up. “You will never do that again.” Such stern, severe words in that moment of post-coital bliss jarred. “Do you hear me, Cushla Machree?”

“Baby, I don’t—”

“The pills, the liquor, what the fuck were you trying to achieve?”

“This,” she said, stroking his still clothed body. “I can’t survive without you; I wouldn’t have made it another day.”

“How did you know I was watching?”

“I didn’t. There’s only so many hours I can live without knowing you’re alive. Either you were watching, or I was coming to meet you on the other side. Did you get a new phone?”

Stupid question, he must’ve. His hand went to a rear pocket, then he held something in front of her face.

Slowly, her smile crept higher. “That’s my phone.”

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