They’re the only coherent thoughts repeating through my mind as I come down from this heady high.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” Nash pants into the crook of my neck after releasing my lips. We lay there, our heart beats racing in sync as we bask in this euphoria.
It’s funny. For the past three years, it’s been drummed into me that I was nothing but a vessel for a greater cause, that sex was a means to an end, but laying here in Nash’s embrace, all I feel is a sense of belonging and the unfamiliar, gentle warmth of being wanted—not for a purpose, but simply for who I am.
Chapter Thirty
NASH
Hadley is unlike any woman I’ve ever met. Without even trying, she has captured my attention, and there’s no way I can lose her. It’s going to be dangerous going up against the cult, but there’s no way I’m walking away from my nephew. With Gabriel’s help, I’ll protect both Franklin and Hadley; while I’ve only known her for a short time, I know she’s my future. They both are.
Unable to sleep, I lie here with her in my arms while she gets some much-needed rest. When Gabriel gets back from Sydney, we’ll have to put a plan together to get Franklin out of the Circle and find evidence of Seraphina’s or Tanner’s involvement in my family’s murders. I don’t know how we’re going to achieve any of that, but I’m hoping Gabriel will have some ideas.
Once we have the evidence we need, we’ll take it to Shane and clear Ziggy’s name. He’s proven himself to be trustworthy.
Hadley stirs in her sleep, and I tighten my hold on her, pressing my lips to her temple. She murmurs somethingunintelligible, and my mouth tugs up. She’s so freaking adorable.
As the soft morning light filters into my bedroom, and sleep still eludes me, I take to counting Hadley’s freckles. She has fifteen on her left cheek, eighteen on her right, and nine tiny brown spots dotting her petite nose.
I must eventually drift off, because when I open my eyes, she’s sitting up and reading a book, dressed in one of my Shamrock team hoodies that Clay sent to me after I signed the contracts, and fuck me if my dick doesn’t immediately jump to attention seeing her swamped in my clothes. My head is nestled in her lap, her fingers raking absentmindedly through my curls.
“Morning,” I rumble, my voice still thick with sleep.
She smiles softy. “Morning.”
“How are you feeling?”
Her fingers pause for a beat before resuming, slower this time.
“A little sore,” she admits, a rosy hue staining her freckled cheeks. “But I’m … good. I feel good.”
“Good?” I tease, turning slightly to press a kiss on her thigh. The blush spreads down her chest.
“Nash,” she groans, placing the book face down on my bedside table.
“Yes, Hadley?” I feign innocence as my fingers dance along her skin.
She breathes out a shaky exhale, her eyes falling closed as her head tips back against the wall. Her nails scratch along my scalp and I grin. She squirms, so responsive to my touch.
“What are you doing?”
I roll over until I’m nestled between her thighs. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
Gripping her hips, I move her down the bed until her pussy is exactly where I want it. I pause for a second, giving her amoment to tell me to stop, but her lips remain closed as she stares down at me with hooded eyes. Her chest heaves with anticipation, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I lean forward and run my tongue through her glistening folds.
We both groan, her sweet taste driving me wild. As much as I want to devour her, I’m wary of how sore she must be after last night, so instead, I take my time, slowly bringing her to the brink of pleasure with salacious licks and tender nips at her clit.
She writhes beneath me, humming her gratification. Her soft noises are my own private symphony.
My dick leaks pre-cum against my sheets, but this morning isn’t about me. It’s about taking care of her.
“Nash,” Hadley moans as I bury my tongue deep inside her, feeling her body quiver underneath me.
She’s close.
My thumb finds her clit, and the moment I touch it, she detonates, arching her back off the mattress, crying out, and grinding herself against me. Her legs tighten around my ears and I chuckle, giving her one last lingering lick before nipping at the inside of her thigh.
“So responsive, little possum,” I tell her, rolling onto my back and swiping the back of my hand over my mouth as I grin up at her.