Page 28 of Eternally Bound

I smiled. “You know, when it’s safe, my mother will want to go back to her cottage. And I’ll be going with her. She needs me.”

I didn’t want to offer a false sense of permanent living arrangement. Besides, the only way I’d ever permanently moved in with someone was if we were married. What could I say? I was old-fashioned that way.

“I understand that, but this is the best way to keep you all safe. We’ll worry about the rest later.”

“How long do you think till it is safe?”

“Ainslee, I have many enemies,” he replied on exhale. “My uncle is an immediate threat to you, but I have others who would like to hurt me too. You and your family could become targets to get to me.”

I frowned.

“What are you saying, Daniel?” I didn’t want to assume the meaning of his words. Though I trusted him with safety and I wanted him, I needed to know what in God's name was his long-term plan then. He couldn’t expect us all to stay here indefinitely. It was hard to blindly trust him; twelve years were hard to forget.

His lips pressed tightly, and I knew he wouldn’t answer me. Whatever secrets Daniel was harboring, he wouldn’t share them with me. It hurt. It shouldn’t; I have lived without him for the past twelve years, and I would probably live without him for the next twelve years. It still hurt because deep down, regardless of what he had done, I wanted him. Craved him even. Like he was my own kryptonite.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t realize we came to a stop in front of my bedroom.

I turned to face him completely, and the look in his eyes had my heart fluttering. Just like it fluttered the first time I met him.

It has always been you, his earlier words rang in my ears.

When our eyes met in the coffee shop, my whole world shifted and everything tilted towards this man. I wanted nothing more nor less than just to be with him. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health.

Even now, looking at him, I had a hard time seeing the harsh, ruthless mobster. Or maybe it was his darkness that appealed to me, reeling me in.

I should fight this attraction for him, this sad obsession. It was my first love for me, my first crush, my first everything. It was never meant to be. Yet, I couldn’t let go. This man had me in his snare and drawing me into his darkness, the passion I knew hid behind those dark depths.

With trembling hands, I reached out to him, tuning out everything. The past. The present. The future. Responsibilities. Everything.

My palm rested against his chest, feeling the strong heartbeat that thundered in rhythm and sync with mine. After all these years, I still felt the undeniable connection to him. Yes, there was chemistry, but also something stronger that scared me to death. Because it could destroy me.

Daniel's eyes met mine, and I felt my cheeks blaze with desire for him. The room was silent, but the way he lusted at me was deafening. I felt it on every single inch of my skin. He gently placed his index finger on my jaw, tracing it lightly as a feather, down my neck, over the front of my throat and down the center of my chest. My breathing labored and my nipples hardened, sending heat pooling between my thighs.

Daniel towered above me, at least a foot taller than me; his hard body leaning closer to me, and I welcomed his heat. Just like twelve years ago, my body ached for him, needing him. I pressed my body flush against his, letting the need for him overtake all my senses.

Was it stupid?Maybe.

Would it end in my heartbreak?Probably.

He ran the tip of his nose over my cheek, the move gentle and consuming. His breath was shaky, and I swore he was impacted by this as much as I was. At least at this moment.

He moved back an inch, capturing my gaze as he dragged his thumb over my bottom lip.

“I don’t know how to be gentle anymore,” he warned softly.

There was darkness lingering in his eyes, but a deprived part of me wanted it. I wanted all of him. My back arched into him, giving him the answer my lips couldn’t speak.

My clit throbbed and every cell in my body ached for him. My lips parted and he pushed his thumb into my mouth. I closed my lips over it, and my teeth bit down onto it. As if that little act would return the pain he had caused me.

Daniel’s jaw clenched, and instantly regret hit me, wondering if I hurt him. I swirled my tongue around his thumb, hoping to ease the pain. After all those years, Daniel Carrington was still my manna, my aphrodisiac.

The muscles on Daniel’s body strained, as he waited for me to give him my final permission. Two heartbeats, beating as one, two souls starved for each other.

“Give me what you can,” I whispered, knowing the consequences of those words and not giving a damn. At least not at this moment.

The words barely left my mouth before he lifted me up, his hands firmly on my waist and walked us over the threshold of my bedroom, the door slamming behind me. I had no idea how we found ourselves on the bed, but my back hit the pillows, our mouths hungry on each other.

He pulled my blouse over my head in one swift move, tossing it carelessly onto the floor, then yanked my jeans and panties next. His dark gaze intent on me; he pushed my legs apart. I was completely bared to him, a naked offering, just for his pleasure. His hands ran down my thighs, his touch surprisingly gentle, and he lowered his head nearing my entrance.

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