Page 6 of Fierce Hearts

Ihelped Sofia into my hotel room, the door clicking shut behind us. The dimmed lights cast a warm glow across the space, softening the edges of everything—including the tension between us. She paused just inside the doorway, her eyes scanning the room. Like she was having second thoughts now that it was getting real.

God, she was beautiful tonight in her dazzling purple bridesmaid dress, her hair curled and soft makeup applied. It'd been a mission to not kiss her while on the dance floor, to not show her how I felt, how I no longer wanted to fight this pull inside.

We'd slipped out without being noticed, especially since a more upbeat song had started and more people had started dancing.

It had been the perfect cover.

"I'm still not sure if this is a good idea, Gray." Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty, but her body language told another story. My arm was around her waist, and she hadn't pulled away. If anything, she was leaning into me even more.

"If you don't want this, we can stop. Right now. No questions asked." I let my hand fall from her waist, not wanting to pressure her despite how badly I wanted her. Yes, we'd both had drinks, but we could hold our liquor.

If she didn't want this, then I'd leave her alone. Even if the rejection hurt.

Sofia took a deep breath, then turned to me fully, her body close. Her fingers traced a deliberate path up my chest, making my skin burn beneath my shirt. Without breaking eye contact, she began unbuttoning it, and I shrugged my tux jacket off.

"As long as we stick to no strings, then it's fine." Her voice was soft, but a smile teased at her lips.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I'd been drawn to Sofia since the moment she came into Meredith's life—this fierce, independent woman who'd walked away from her family's legacy to forge her own path. But I'd kept my distance, knowing she wanted nothing to do with men connected to our world.

But I'd wanted her, every time I'd run into her around Meredith, every time she'd quipped back at me or laughed alongside my sister. She made me want things I knew I shouldn't.

"No strings," I agreed, though the words felt hollow. I knew I'd want more, it was a given, but if a taste was all I could get, then I'd seize it.

Her fingers worked the last button free as my blood burned, and I shrugged off my shirt, letting it fall to the floor. When her hands returned to my chest, skin against skin, I couldn't hold back anymore. I cupped her face and kissed her—I'd hoped to be gentle, but as soon as she'd submitted, allowing me to deepen it, the fire had erupted. Our kiss became hungry and wild, all the pent up desire and longing breaking free as we moved toward the bed in a chaotic mess of discarded clothing and ravenous hands. Every touch, every press of lips on skin, it only fueled the desperation hunger. Sofia was fire and softness, strength and vulnerability all at once. A woman who was born into blood and yet saved lives as a choice.

Her dress puddled on the floor, revealing black lace underneath that made my breath catch. I had to yank back, taking the moment to appreciate her true beauty in the dim lighting.

"Fuck," I murmured, taking in the sight of her. The contrast of dark lace against her olive skin, the rise and fall of her chest as her breathing quickened—it was almost too much.

I let my gaze explore as she stood before me, her curls now messy and her lipstick smeared. She was a sight to behold, one that had my cock straining against the thin material of my briefs.

Utterly divine.

She was a woman who'd dug her nails into my heart unknowingly, and now she was embedded there.

I claimed her mouth once more, continuing to guide us to the bed, only her panties and my briefs keeping us apart.

The back of her legs hit the mattress, and she pulled me down with her, her fingers tangled in my hair. The weight of my body pressed against hers, and I caught the soft gasp that escaped her lips with my own, swallowing it up.

"You're beautiful," I said as I broke the kiss, trailing kisses down the column of her throat. The scent of her perfume—something floral with undertones of vanilla—filled my senses.

Sofia's hands explored my back, her nails digging slightly into my skin. "Less talking," she breathed, arching into me.

I smiled against her skin, then reached around to unhook her bra expertly. I tossed it aside as she chuckled beneath me.

"Someone's done that a few times," she teased, but I swallowed up any other words with a kiss that drew a moan from deep within us both.

I broke away, trailing down her chest to kiss each nipple, giving them both a soft suckle and loving how her breath hitched.

I dipped my hand between her legs, her legs quivering as I hooked my finger under the lace to test her excitement.

"Fuck, Sof, some would think you want me badly," I groaned, my dick throbbing almost painfully.

"Maybe I do, Gray." My name on her lips, so breathless and wanting, was unravelling.

I worked her panties off, the need to feel her almost overwhelming.

Sofia's eyes darkened as she watched my reaction, my desperation to remove the flimsy material. A smirk spread across her lips once they were off, and she sat up before I could cover her body with my own once more.

---