Page 163 of Rescuing Ally: Part 1

His eyes narrow at my amusement, something dangerous flickering in their amber depths—a silent warning I should probably heed.

Gabe’s hand settles on the small of my back, his touch both possessive and cautionary.

“Be careful teasing him like that,” he murmurs, his breath brushing the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “There are consequences. For the record, you can spoil me like that anytime. Morningblowiesare fun. I’m up for noonerblowies, too. Hell,blowiesall day long…”

“Not you, too?” I turn to give him a look, arching a brow.

Gabe smirks, but Hank steps closer, eyes locked on mine.

“It’s nice when you take the initiative,” Hank says, his voice low, almost soft—but there’s weight, heat, and meaning behind it. His gaze sharpens, locking onto mine. “More than nice.”

He steps closer, the space between us shrinking, charged. “But don’t forget…” His fingers brush my jaw, tilting my chin just enough to make me feel the shift in power between us. “I’m the one in control. Always.”

A shiver rolls through me—not fear. Anticipation. Craving.

“Yes, Sir,” I murmur, breath catching. “Wouldn’t dreamof forgetting.”

“Good. I’d hate to have to remind you.” His smile is slow and dangerous.

“Think of it as my way of thanking you both for last night.”

Hank stops walking, turning to face me fully. His expression shifts and becomes more predatory. Gabe’s hand tightens slightly against my back.

“A lot happened last night. Which part exactly are you thanking us for?” Gabe asks, voice deceptively casual.

I lift my chin, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth.

“All the parts. The lesson in pleasure and pain…” My eyes find Gabe’s, acknowledging the sting of his crop that still lingers as a phantom sensation across my skin. “The torture of having to wait and beg for it. The way you both claimed me after… Hank showing me anal can be fun…”

The memory of being taken by both sends heat rushing through my body. Then my expression softens, vulnerability flickering briefly across my features.

“And especially how you stayed with me when the nightmares came. When I wasn’t… myself.”

“We will always take care of you,” Hank says.

Something passes between them again. Whatever decision they reach remains unspoken, but I feel it in the subtle shift of the atmosphere, the heightened tension crackling in the air between us.

We resume walking, but something has changed.

I drop back, pulling Gabe with me, lacing my fingers through his and wrapping my other hand around his forearm. He lets me, his steps slowing to match mine, the heat of his body a constant beside me.

“And for everything you said to me,” I turn to Gabe, knowing he’ll understand.

Gabe glances down, the edge in his eyes softening, though tension still hums beneath the surface. “I said a lot, sweetheart.”

“You were honest.” I squeeze his hand. “And you were right. I wasn’t in my right mind to ask you for that… not then.” I pause, drawing in a breath. “Thank you for holding back, even when I begged you not to.”

His jaw tightens, the flicker of something dark moving behind his eyes—but not the dangerous kind. It’s controlled. Measured. “It wasn’t easy,” he says quietly, roughly. “You’re hard to say no to.”

“I’m glad you did,” I whisper, the words catching slightly in my throat. “You saw what I needed—even when I didn’t. That means more than I know how to say.”

His thumb strokes over my hand, slow, deliberate, each pass a silent vow. “You’re worth waiting for, sweetheart.”

My breath catches. I hold his gaze, heart pounding. “I want to understand more… about you, about whatyouneed.” The words feel like stepping off a ledge—terrifying, but right. “Whatwecould have… when I’m ready.” My voice is steady, but inside, everything trembles. Wanting. Curious. Brave enough to ask.

His eyes darken, something primal flickering to life—heat, possession, control. And beneath it all, something deeper still: patience forged in fire.

“When the time’s right,” he murmurs, voice like velvet over steel, “we will discuss it at length, and then, I’ll take you there.”

---