Page 110 of When Hearts Awaken

“Charles!” Her legs give out from under her, but I hold her against me as I roar my release, my vision blackening, blood rushing straight into my head as waves of orgasm pull me under.

For a few minutes, I can’t speak, can’t think. All I can do is pull her onto the ground with me, our bodies heaving, sweaty, completely satiated. She melts, her head resting on my chest as she splays a shapely thigh across my torso.

My feral kitten is a softie underneath her scars and claws.

Just like I knew all along.

A surge of emotions clamor in my chest and a strong sentiment is perched on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t say it aloud. Because deep down, I’m still afraid of admitting what I’m feeling—that little boy hidden inside me is still traumatized at how a four letter word is an excuse for his parents to neglect him and his siblings.

I push the thought away and smile at Taylor instead. She snuggles deeper into my chest and lets out a satisfied sigh. She’s been smiling more.

The other day, she asked me why I was interested in BDSM and I told her it was an outlet for me, to let go of the day-to-day restraints I had on myself, that I enjoyed the control and valued the trust subs gave to their Doms. Her eyes lit up. She was curious and full of questions. I laughed when she pulled out her phone and started researching. Her face turned a cute shade of pink as she read about limits, safe words, and the different types of play. I promised her one day we’d explore it together.

She also told me she hired a private investigator to look into what happened to her because she wanted closure. She wanted the monsters to stop appearing in her dreams. A pinch of guilt landed on my chest when she mentioned that, because of what I found out about Ian and Hotel Renegade. And the occasional nights when I heard her moaning in her sleep, bathed in sweat, I’d wrap her up in my arms and tell her she’s safe because I was there with her.

I’ll fight her demons for her.

And so I can’t bring myself to ask her, not when she smiles at me during the day, when those demons seem to have receded in the background and she appears happy.

Frankly, I’m afraid of the answer.

Lately, she’s been talking about her dreams of the future. She wants to volunteer at sexual assault support groups. She wants to set up endowments for dance scholarships for kids from disadvantaged neighborhoods. There’s a spark in her eyes I’ve never seen before and I need to keep that softness, that drive in her.

She deserves everything.

“It’s only ever been this way with you,” I murmur, watching a blush creep up her face. Her eyes flutter open, a smile tugging her lips. “I have a feeling,” I play with her hand, intertwining and locking our fingers together, “I’ve been trapped in a cave, waiting for you to rescue me.”

“Charles,” she murmurs, “You’re the one who saved me, not the other way around.”

I shake my head and kiss her hair before pulling out of her. She has no idea how much she’s changed me. After taking care of business in the bathroom, I gather her in my arms and deposit her on the bed.

“You aren’t ready for another round again are you?” She eyes my torso dubiously. “Don’t men need to rest between rounds, especiallyoldermen? That’s what I heard before.”

“Think I’m too old for you?” I smirk. I lean over and kiss those berry lips of hers. She moans and my cock stirs. “Don’t tempt me, because I can definitely keep going.”

She mock groans and throws her arm across her face, the pink flush spreading over her pale ivory skin. “I take back all the mean things I’ve ever said about you if you and your hard inches will spare me.”

I laugh. “What did I tell you before? My inches are very much real.”

Taylor snorts and shoves me before she rests her head on my shoulder. My phone buzzes on the nightstand and I groan.

“I don’t want to know what awaits me,” I murmur, reluctantly picking it up.

Maxwell

Charles Fucking Vaughn, you better answer before I fly over to Russia. What are your intentions toward Taylor? You didn’t even have thedecencyto let us know about it beforehand?

Rex

I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.

Rex

That’s it. That’s my message. *Gloating in satisfaction.*

Lana

I’m happy for them! They’re cute together! Charles, don’t sweat the PR stuff. I can help if you need me. We got this. We Andersons take care of our own, and you’re officially one of us now.

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