Page 128 of Branded Hearts

It’s a new sensation, one I didn’t teach her.

The feeling of her mouth on my cock, coupled with her hands massaging my balls, becomes too much. “Fuck, fuck. I’m gonna come,” I groan out. Before I know it, I’m coming hard and fast. She doesn’t pull away, though. Instead, she keeps going, sucking me dry as my orgasm crashes over me. I growl through gritted teeth, overwhelmed by the intensity.

She swallows every drop, then releases me with a softpop, wiping her mouth as she pants, her chest heaving. Her face is flushed, and I’m hit with a powerful urge to kiss her.

“Come here,” I manage to grunt, and she moves closer, rounding my side. I grab her by the back of the head, pulling her mouth to mine, but she hesitates.

“Wait. I just swallowed your—”

“I don’t give a fuck,” I growl, cutting her off as I take her lips in a fierce kiss. The mingling taste of my cum and her sweet lips ignite a primal hunger within me. I deepen the kiss, savouring the intoxicating blend of our flavours. Pulling away, I exhale heavily.

“That was... fuck. That was amazing.”

“Well, I had anexcellentteacher,” she quips, a playful laugh dancing in her voice.

I growl playfully. “Damn straight, sunshine.”

As I lie here, feeling her warmth against me, my mind drifts. I think about Amelia and my sister—wondering how she’ll react to us being together—and everything else. Last night replays in my mind, each scene raw and vivid. I was sure I wouldn’t make it out. When that explosion hit, all I could see were her brown eyes, her smile; just her.

Yet, here I am, breathing, feeling her breathing next to me.

I shake my head, trying to clear away the thoughts. I should be grateful, shouldn’t I? Grateful for this moment, for her, for being alive. But the what-ifs, the could-have-beens, they linger.

I wrap my arm around her, pulling her closer, needing the reassurance that she’s real, that this is real.

“Bradley?” Her voice breaks through my thoughts.

“Hm.”

“I can hear you thinking.”

I chuckle lightly, but the movement causes a twinge of discomfort in my ribcage. “It’s nothing, babe.”

She sits up. “Tell me. Please.”

I huff a laugh again, but then stop myself short, wincing this time—not wanting to strain myself any more. She apologises for making me laugh, and I shoot her a look.

“What have I said about apologising?” She just rolls her eyes at me. I continue answering her question with a sigh. It’s such a simple question, well maybe for her, yet the answer is so loaded. How could I ever truly explain what goes on in my mind?

“What isn’t?” I say nervously, pausing to consider how to express the jumble of thoughts. “Just... everything. Last night, us…”

Her brow furrows slightly. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?”

I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I was just thinking... about how fragile everything is. How quickly life can change.” My words trail off, and I shake my head. Amelia studies me, her gaze intent.

“What areyouthinking now?” I ask, wanting to know what’s onhermind.

She shakes her head, unsure. “I don’t know.”

“Tell me,” I urge, mimicking her works from earlier, wanting to understand.

“Has... has anyone ever mentioned that you might have GAD?” she asks tentatively.

“What’s GAD?” I inquire, not familiar with the term.

“Generalised Anxiety Disorder?” she explains. “You know, because you’re always thinking and worrying about things. I’d assume you overthink things in your head, play out scenarios. Am I right?”

I frown, considering her words. Fuck. Could she be on to something? Is that what I have? I’ve never been diagnosed with anything, and we’re trained and put through tests at the academy, to ensure we’re one-hundred percent.

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