Page 77 of Ravaged Hearts

“I’ll love you at your best, your worst, and everything in between.”

Which was lucky because I’d be lost without her.

“I love you, too, Hope Robinson. I want a life with you, a home with you, and I want to rescue a fuckload of dogs with you. Whatever makes you happy, I’ll give it to you if I can.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You make me happy. I just need you.”

Then she kissed me. Her warm lips against mine felt more healing than any treatment the hospital could administer.

I hadn’t died in that tunnel in Venezuela, but in a way, my life had ended. Piece by piece, this incredible woman had brought me back, body and soul. And even though there was still a long road ahead in my recovery journey, I was no longer a slave to my trauma.

The world could be a cruel, fucked-up place, and we didn’t always have control over the things that happened to us. Hope and I, we’d battled our demons, we’d fought hard to survive, and we’d more than earned our happy ending.

We’d start living it today.

EPILOGUE

HOPE

Playa de la Palmera

3 months later

“I’m so close.” I moaned and clutched Vaughn’s wet hair.

With my legs hooked over his shoulders and his head between my thighs, my man was doing a stellar job of devouring my pussy.

After chasing me back from the beach this morning, skin salty and feet sandy, he’d tossed me on the bed, spread me out, and made a meal of me. Vaughn’s favorite, if his eager ministrations and low groans of satisfaction were anything to go by.

Titan, who’d grown used to Vaughn and me engaging in vigorous bedroom sports, snored on his dog bed in the corner.

“Vaughn, please.” I arched my hips, needing more and knowing he was toying with me, because he could’ve made me come in minutes if he’d wanted.

But he’d been going at me for God knew how long, bringing me to the brink of climax multiple times before backing off. The man was making me delirious.

“This is punishment. You know what for.” He growledagainst my pussy and reached up to pinch a nipple, making me squeal.

I instantly regretted being such a brat last night. When I’d asked sweetly, Vaughn had let me tie him up despite the necessity for bindings being long forgotten. Perhaps I’d pushed him a little too far when I’d teased every inch of his body while making him watch me get off with my toys. But seeing his eyes grow ravenous and wild each time I pushed myself over the edge had been such a turn-on.

I thought I’d made up for my misbehavior by deep throating him—a skill I’d recently caught the hang of—then untying his restraints so he could redden my ass with his handprints and fuck me into oblivion. Twice.

But Vaughn’s memory was even longer than his deliciously thick cock, and if he wasn’t going to let me come with his mouth, I needed him inside me to get the job done. Time to get his mind off tormenting me.

I wiggled my hips. “Baby, you need to hurry. I have to get to work early and show the new guy around.”

Vaughn froze and glanced up at me with piercing dark eyes and glistening lips. “New guy? What new guy?”

“Julio. I’m sure I mentioned him. Nice smile. He’s funny, too.”

My plan was working. Vaughn hadn’t blinked once since meeting my gaze.

“You never mentioned him.” He sat up on his elbows and frowned. “I definitely would’ve remembered if you’d mentioned him.”

“My bad.” I twisted my fingers through his hair. “I hope you two get along. He’s working the same schedule as me, and I can see us becoming friends.”

Later, I’d reveal that Julio was mid-fifties, gay, and in a committed relationship, so Vaughn didn’t need to go all jealous boyfriend on his ass.

But for now, I’d keep Julio’s sexual preferences to myself because I wanted to let the jealous beast that lived inside my man come out to play. I was a cruel woman.

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