Page 32 of Her Fearless Ronin

I was taken aback. Afraid? My mind raced, thinking ofall the possibilities that could be causing her fear. But her next words cut through my thoughts, raw and honest, and a pang of sympathy tugged at my chest.

“I’m afraid of not liking it,” she continued, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I’ve only had one lover before, and it was a chore. I hated it.”

Her words struck me deeply. The vulnerability in her confession was a sharp contrast to the brave exterior she often showed. I reached out, my fingers slipping under her chin to gently lift her head, forcing her to meet my gaze. Her blue eyes, glistening with unshed tears, held a truth that shook me to my core.

“Hope.” I brushed my thumb against her cheek. “I would never hurt you. I want you to know that.”

She swallowed, her gaze flickering away for a moment before returning to mine. The emotions in her eyes were a tempest I understood all too well.

“I never felt for Jared what I feel for you,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “He never affected me the way you affect me. And I need to enjoy this, Jiro. It’s you. If I don’t, my heart would break for all that you and I could have been.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken desires and regrets. I felt a surge of tenderness for her, a fierce protectiveness I hadn’t known was possible. Without another word, I closed the distance between us, my arms wrapping around her, holding her as if I could shield her from all the pain and uncertainty that life had thrown her way.

“Hope,” I murmured against her hair, my lips brushingsoftly against her ear. “You deserve to be loved in every way that brings you joy, not pain. And I swear to you, I will make sure that you experience nothing but pleasure, nothing but the depth of what you deserve.”

She leaned into my embrace, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt as if holding on to me like an anchor in a storm. And in that moment, as our heartbeats seemed to synchronize, I knew that despite the darkness that had haunted me, despite the battles I had fought and the demons I had faced, there was a chance for something beautiful, something real.

As my lips met hers, a surge of emotions rushed through me like a tidal wave. It was a kiss fueled by my longing, regrets, and desires, finally breaking free. Her soft lips pressed against mine, igniting a fire that had been smoldering beneath the surface for far too long.

Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, and I responded eagerly, deepening the kiss. Our breaths mingled, and the world around us faded into insignificance. At that moment, it was just her and me, lost in the intensity of our connection. As I let my hands trail down her body, I grabbed the hem of her short dress, pulling it up, only breaking the kiss to toss it on the floor.

I took a step back, my breathing ragged, and studied her in her black lacy underwear and strapless bra.

She was stunning, the kind of goddess that made you fall on your knees and weep just for a chance to get a taste of heaven, and right now, she was all mine.

I stared at the swell of her breasts that moved fast with her rapid breathing and removed my shirt, revealing, thistime fully, my tattooed chest to her. I wanted to feel her skin against mine, her milky softness against my rendered flesh.

I walked back to her silently, far too aroused and nervous to actually talk. I had never felt nervous before sex, not even my first time. But as apprehensive as she was with her desire to enjoy it, I was just as apprehensive to make sure I made it pleasurable for her.

I reached behind her, undoing her bra, and pulled her against me. I closed my eyes with a sigh. Her skin against mine didn’t just feel nice; it was like a balm soothing all my scars, both physical and emotional.

I remembered Hoka’s demented explanation about Violet and the way it felt when he touched her. I thought I understood, but I didn’t—not when I was now experiencing it firsthand.

I trailed my hand the length of her spine as she shivered in my arms.

“It will be good, I promise,” I whispered. “It’s you and me.”

She didn’t reply but turned her face to kiss my chest, resting her lips on the scar just above my pectoral. The scar that was caused by the gunshot I’d taken trying to protect Anna that fateful day. But before I could get lost in the painful memories, she licked the metal of my nipple barbell, making me hiss.

My cock, which was already in a semi, hardened fully as her hot tongue licked again.

I let out a groan and took a step back, already feeling the control slipping through my fingers. I needed to take back control. I needed to make tonight about her, herpleasure; she was the priority because I didn’t want any apprehension, any fear in her eyes the next time I touched her, only anticipation for the pleasure I was about to give her.

Next time… There might not be a next time.My brain chimed, but I smothered it, kissing Hope deeply as I kneaded her perfect right breast with my hand.

“God, woman,” I growled.

“Jiro!” she squealed as I reached down, swept her off her feet and laid her down on the bed.

I stayed on the side of the bed but leaned down to suck one of her pink nipples into my mouth.

She gasped, burying her hand in my hair. “Jiro…” she breathed.

I let it out with a loud pop and walked to the foot of the bed, reaching for her underwear. “Raise your hips for me, sweetheart.”

She looked at me with more apprehension despite the desire as she raised her hips. A sign of trust I was not taking lightly.

I spread her quivering legs and looked at her glistening flesh, swollen with desire, and licked my lips in anticipation.

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