Page 94 of Cruel Hearts

I wonder if that includes making love with Nathalie, if she was able to ease some of his pain. Is it selfish to wish he feels this way only with me?

He pulls out and pushes back in, and I can’t think about anything but how he stretches me. The sensation feels so good it steals my breath.

I push my face into a pillow as he thrusts. His fingers don’t stop swirling around my clit, and it’s swollen and quivering under his touch. He wants to give me everything he can, and he delicately explores my ass. I like this part too, and I eagerly wait for him to touch me where no other man has. The first time he touched me there, I didn’t know if I’d like it, but I enjoy him wanting me everywhere. His fingertip nudges into me, and I wiggle.

“More, please,” I beg, and he does, going deeper.

I move my hand between my legs and touch my clit, and letting me do some of the work, he grabs my hip and pounds hiscock into me. His finger mimics the motions of his thrusts, and I moan.

It’s all too much. He’s buried to the hilt in both ways, and I come, my pussy greedily hugging his cock. His finger stretches my muscle and the slight bit of pain mingles with the pleasure of my orgasm, the sweet spasms moving through me in wave after wave.

Gently, Zane pulls his finger out of my ass, and gripping both my hips, slams into me. We fall into a frenzied rhythm, and I encourage him to go as deep and as hard as he needs. “More,” I say, whimpering. “More.”

“Fuck,” he mutters, and his balls slap against my skin. “I’m going to come.” He didn’t need to tell me. I can feel his cock thicken and pulse inside me. He shudders, and sounding like an angry bear, he growls deep from his chest. I laugh, full of feminine pride I can make him do that.

He doesn’t pull out right away, instead, he steadies himself on his knees, his fingertips still sinking into my skin. “Jesus Christ, you’re going to kill me.”

I love how this man, always so in control, can turn to putty in my hands. “Are you complaining?”

“I’m definitely not complaining. Did I hurt you?”

“A little, but it felt good, too.”

He pulls out and rubs my butt. “Good. I don’t want to hurt you anymore.” His voice quavers.

The vulnerability hidden under his strength is going to shatter me.

He clears his throat. “Let me clean up.”

“Okay.”

A few minutes later he steps out of the bathroom, sits on the bed, and holds my cheek in his palm. His skin smells like the hotel soap, a light citrus scent. “I know you’re scared abouttonight, but I’ll be there every second. Even if it blows our plans and gives us away, I won’t let anyone hurt you, okay?”

I nod.

“Ash thinks I’m in love with Nathalie, so us going to dinner...we need everyone to think I’m telling you to go to hell and that I never want to see you again. Don’t you dare believe anything I’m going to say to you tonight.”

The way we met at my apartment the day Quinn was shot still hurts and it will be difficult not to take his words to heart, but this has to look real. The paparazzi that follow Zane’s every move will alert Ash as soon as we meet.Truth or Dareloves to play a live feed whenever they can, and I won’t be surprised if Ash watches the mugging and my death as they happen in real time.

“I understand,” I say quietly. “You need to keep Nathalie safe.”

I can’t be selfish. Zane’s protecting more than only me. Nathalie. Zarah. Lucille. Douglas. The thousands of employees who work for Maddox Industries. A man in Zane’s position...I’ll never have him to myself. Ever. If I choose his world, that means sharing.

“Stella . . .” Zane frowns.

“No, I get it. She’s in a tough spot, and we’ll get her out of it. It’s not her fault.”

Raking his fingers through his hair, he says, “I love you, Stella. IknowI’m going to have to spend the rest of my life proving it to you. Iknowthat, and I’ll never stop until you believe it. These past five years have taught me that I need you, and I will do whatever I have to do to keep you with me, forever. I’ve been Ash’s friend practically since I was born, and the shit we’ll find when he goes down...” He swallows. “I’ll be guilty by association. Hell, I already am in your eyes, dating Nat.”

He says his nickname for her and my heart sinks.

“I’ll work my ass off to make that up to you, but when it’s all said and done...Fuck. I wouldn’t blame you if you never wanted to see me again. Run off with Quinn and disappear.”

His shoulders hitch with his frantic breathing and fear and self-recrimination shine bright in his eyes.

I reach out and grip his hands. He clutches at me like he’s drowning and there’s no one to save him but me.

“Listen,” I say, and he looks at me. “We both made mistakes. Zarah and I, we should have talked to you together. If you would have seen her bruises, if we wouldn’t have believed Ash’s lies about your dad. He knew we were young and scared and would do whatever he wanted. I love you, and if I let your decisions keep us from moving past this, all I’m doing is letting Ash win again and I’m so tired of letting him win.”

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