Page 266 of Ignite

His hand on my hip holds me steady as he pounds into me.

He swallows my cries.

“Come in me, beastie,” I pant. “Let me feel you claim me. Make me yours again.”

“Jesus, Hallie.”

I kiss him harder.

“I fucking. Love. You,” he says between thrusts. “Come for me, baby.”

My whole body ignites, every nerve alight.

I squeeze around him as my climax wrecks me. I’m trembling so hard my head goes fuzzy.

He is all I can feel.

“I love you. I love you,” I chant.

His orgasm rips through him. He roars out my name as he spills inside me.

I pull back, cup his face, my thumb trailing his lip.

“In my expert medical opinion, you’re healing nicely.”

He chuckles and slaps my ass.

“Yeah? So round two in the shower?”

“Don’t push it,” I scowl, but I can’t stop smiling.

Running my hands over his bandages, he holds my hand over his heart.

“I don’t regret a single thing. I’d do it again in a heartbeat for you.”

My throat closes as his hand slides to my stomach.

“And for him or her.”

I close my eyes, willing my tears to stay in. Everything is okay. He’s here. Our baby is safe. But when I blink, all I see is his blood on my hands.

“Hallie. Talk to me.”

My bottom lip quivers.

“I’m scared I’m going to lose you for good this time. And I can’t. I keep seeing it—how it felt when I thought you were gone. And I?—”

He pulls me in, wrapping his arms around me.

“I’m not going anywhere, Hallie. Not for a long time. Because now I’ve got you two to live for. I’m going to try my hardest to be the best partner and dad I can. I’ll always come home to my family.”

I nuzzle into his neck.

“Are you sure this is the life you want, Conan? Tied to one woman and a kid?”

“Hallie.” He lowers his voice, tugging me back by my hair.

“All I want—now, tomorrow, next week, next month, fifty years from now—is you. You are it for me. You are the purpose I’ve been hunting for my entire life. You, trouble. And as many kids as you’ll let me put in you. And maybe some more dogs to keep Bertie company.”

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