Page 24 of Stefano
“You don’t need to thank me.”
Her brows knit slightly, her fingers curling into my shirt.“Yes, I do.You came for me.You saved me.”
I swallow hard, my jaw clenched.“I almost didn’t get there in time.”
“But you did,” she whispers.“I knew you would.”
The trust in her voice cracks me open.I want to tell her everything—that I dream of her, that I can’t stop touching myself to the thought of her, that every time she walks into a room I feel like I can finally breathe.But the words stick in my throat, choking me.
So I do the only thing I can.I kiss her forehead.
Her eyes flutter closed, her lips parting in a soft sigh.My cock throbs harder, pressing against the zipper of my jeans.I curse silently, shifting slightly so she won’t notice.
But she does.
Her eyes open again, her gaze flicking down, then back up to mine.Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t pull away.Instead, she whispers, “I don’t want to be afraid anymore.I don’t want to remember them when I close my eyes.I want to remember you.”
My chest heaves.“Andrea...”
“Help me forget,” she breathes.“Please.”
The plea shatters the last of my restraint.
I crush my mouth to hers, swallowing her gasp.The kiss is rough, much rougher than she deserves but I am desperate for her, years of hunger pouring out of me at once.She clings to me, her hands fisting in my shirt, pulling me closer.Her lips are soft but demanding, her tongue meeting mine with a heat that sears straight to my soul.
I roll her beneath me, bracing my weight on my forearms so I don’t crush her.Her body arches into mine, her legs parting instinctively.My cock grinds against her hip, the friction almost unbearable.
“You’re mine,” I growl against her lips.“Say it.”
“Yes,” she gasps, her eyes blazing with something fierce.“I’m yours.”
The sound of it tears a groan from my chest.My hands roam her body, skimming over bruises carefully, reverently.Every mark makes me want to kill Matías all over again, but every soft moan from her lips reminds me she’s alive, she’s here, and she’s choosing me.My blood is pumping through my veins laced with lust I have fought for too long.
I kiss down her throat, my teeth grazing her skin.She trembles, her nails digging into my shoulders.“Stefano,” she whispers, her voice breaking on my name.
The sound pushes me closer to the edge than any fight ever has.
But just when I think I’ll lose control completely, she tenses beneath me, her breath hitching.Her eyes squeeze shut, fear flickering across her face.
I freeze instantly, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze.“Look at me.”
Her eyes open, wet with tears.My chest aches at the sight.
“I won’t hurt you,” I vow, my voice steady despite the fire raging inside me.“Not ever.Not like them.”
Her throat works as she swallows, her hand cupping my cheek.“I know.”
The trust in her voice steadies me.I press a gentler kiss to her lips, Slipping from the bed and pulling the blanket higher around her.My body screams in protest, my cock aching painfully, but I force myself still.
She deserves time.Healing.Choice.
So I stay beside her, holding her as she trembles, kissing her softly until her breaths even and her body relaxes again.Only when she finally drifts back into sleep do I let myself breathe.My cock is still hard, throbbing painfully, but I don’t move.I don’t let go.
Because nothing—not rage, not lust, not the darkness clawing inside me—is stronger than this.The need to keep her safe.And the terrifying truth I can no longer deny.
I love her.
