Page 127 of Branded Hearts

She sleeps peacefully beside me, her hair cascading over the pillow, a picture of serenity. She’s truly beautiful. Last night, sleep eluded me. Despite her offer to ease my mind, I’d declined—too drained, physically and mentally. I managed only a couple of hours of rest, but I’m thankful she slept well.

The covers have slipped down to her torso, revealing her flawless, pale skin. I lightly brush the back of my hand over her stomach, the touch sending shock waves straight down to my hardening cock.

Despite the pain I’m in, despite being uncomfortable, I shouldn’t be turned on when she’s with me. I can’t explain it. But when I’m with her, it’s like I have this primal desire for her—something I’ve never felt before.

My touch stirs her awake, and she blinks her eyes open, her gaze focusing on me. I can’t help but smile at the way her eyes sparkle inthe morning light. Moving closer, I nudge her with my cock, and her eyes widen.

“Straight to the point, I see,” she teases, her voice laced with amusement.

“What do you expect when I wake up next to the most beautiful woman in the world?”

She blushes and murmurs, “Lies.”

I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. “Not lies. It’s the truth.” Her soft chuckle is like music to my ears.

“A simple ‘good morning’ would have sufficed, you know,” she teases, playfully scolding me.

“My apologies. Good morning, sunshine,” I say, peppering kisses along her stomach. “My sweetheart.”Kiss.“My girl.”Kiss.

Each word is punctuated by a kiss, and I feel her body shudder beneath me.

Careful of my shoulder, I move up to capture her mouth in a kiss, my lips meeting hers with a hunger that never seems to fade. She responds eagerly, her hands moving to tangle in my hair as our kiss deepens. A surge of desire for this woman fills my insides and my heart pounds in my chest.

She iseverythingto me.

Her declaration of love still echoes in my mind. Since she said those words, it’s been eating at me. I hate feeling vulnerable; it’s one of my least favourite things. And yet, hearing her say she loves me, knowing that I feel the same, has made me feel raw and exposed. That fucking voice in my head keeps filling me with doubts. What if I’mnot enough? What if I can’t be what she needs? I don’t like feeling like this, so open and uncertain. It’s a struggle, this feeling of being so vulnerable, but the truth is, I wouldn’t trade it. Not for anything.

“God, I missed you,” I whisper against her lips, my voice husky with emotion. She smiles against my mouth.

“I missed you, too.”

She pushes me back carefully, breaking the kiss, before straddling my hips, placing herself directly on top of me. I can feel the heat of her body against mine, igniting a fire within me that only she can quench.

I run a hand up her sides, feeling the curve of her waist, the softness of her skin. She leans down, capturing my lips again, and I respond eagerly, losing myself in the taste and feel of her.

She leans in from the side, her lips leaving a trail of soft kisses down my chest. Each touch sends a shiver through me. Her kisses wander lower, across my abdomen, careful not to press too hard, avoiding my ribs. A wave of anticipation washes over me as she moves down further, settling in front of my cock, which strains beneath the fabric.

She hesitates, and I ask, “What?”

“How’s your pain?” she says, nodding to my shoulder and ribs. I’d taken off the bandage earlier this morning, iced it for twenty minutes, and then took a tablet for further pain relief, so right now, I’m not feeling much pain at all.

“I’m fine, Mills,” I assure her. No amount of pain will deter me from anything.

“You sure?”

“Yes, babe. I’m sure,” I reply. She smirks at me.

“I want to make you feel good,” she says.

My already hardened cock throbs at her words, standing up tall for attention under my briefs. I can’t help but encourage her with a grin. “I’m not going to stop you, sunshine. Go for it.” She tugs at the waistband of my briefs, pulling them down my legs, and my cock springs free.

Her fingers wrap around me, her touch feather-light and teasing. I shiver at the sensation as she begins to stroke me slowly. Then she lowers her mouth, her warm breath sending shivers down my spine before her lips envelop me completely. The way she circles her tongue around the tip makes me fight the urge to groan.

Fuck,she’s a natural. She’s learned well, and it feels incredible—better than I ever expected.

Her hand pumps at the base, the pressure just right as she moves up and down. Each stroke drives me wild, and I can’t help but grip her hair, pulling her closer. The way her mouth feels, warm and wet, sends me spiralling. Her soft moans and the sound of her sucking push me to the edge. To my surprise, she takes me even further, her throat opening to accommodate me. I groan in disbelief as she gags slightly before moving back up.

“Oh, fuck,” I can’t help but groan as she swirls her tongue around the tip, and I feel myself nearing the brink. Her free hand runs down to fondle my balls, and I nearly lurch forward from the sensation.

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