Page 56 of Corrupted Union

“Life moves on, Rowan. That’s a good thing. She’d want you to move on—and that means living your life.Yourlife. Not the life you think your parents want for you.”

“But I owe them.”

“Bullshit.” I clamped my hand around her throat, pinning her harshly against the stone.

Shock widened her eyes. I squeezed. Not enough to leave a mark, but enough to minimize her air flow. Her hands held my wrist, but she didn’t struggle.

“Is this what you want?” I hissed. “What you think you deserve? Death?”

Her hands tightened around mine.

“If that’s the case, I can give it to you. Just a few more minutes, and it would all be over.”

Her nostrils flared, panic filling her wide eyes.

My cold stare bore into her, watching as a myriad of emotions flashed behind wide hazel eyes. I saw the precise moment when her grief gave way to desperation and a rabid desire to live.

Every muscle in her body seized in preparation of a fight. But instead, I loosened my grip, bringing my face inches from hers.

“You want to live, Rowan, so do it,” I growled. “Live your life in a way that Ivy would have been proud of.”

She heaved for breath, her eyes wild as though seeing me for the first time. She launched herself at me, clinging to my body and kissing me as if my lungs contained the very last oxygen on earth.

I slid my hand down her leggings to her slick and swollen center.

“Keir!” she gasped. “We’re in a cemetery.” Undermining her objection, she tilted her hips to give me better access.

Two fingers found their way deep inside her. “They’re dead. They’ll be grateful for any action at all.” Lust grated away at my voice, leaving my words harsh and raw.

Rowan didn’t care. Her eyes rolled back as she allowed pleasure to sweep through her. I grazed my teeth against her earlobe, then kissed a path down the column of her neck.

“You’re so fucking incredible, little lamb. So wet for me. Such a greedy little pussy.” I felt her inner muscles squeeze my fingers. My dick lurched against my zipper, a reminder that it would very much like to be the one pumping in and out of her.

My girl was too greedy for that, though. In no time at all, her lips parted on a silent gasp as her body seized in a fit of ecstatic tremors. Her orgasm careened through her like a storm ravaging the plains. I had to help support her weight to keep her on her feet as her body recovered.

I removed my hand from her pants and lifted my fingers to my lips, waiting until her eyes cracked open before I sucked them into my mouth. Her taste did strange, intoxicating things to my body. It sent a flood of endorphins into my bloodstream and awakened a primitive urge to make her pregnant with my child. To claim her in every damn way possible.

“It’s time to think about whatyouwant, Rowan,” I rasped through my lusty haze. “Not what’s expected of you or what you think youshouldwant. Figure out what makes you feel good, and seize it. Life’s too fucking short for anything less.”

Rowan slowly nodded, a spark of clarity shining in her eyes.

“Good, now let’s get you home before I get arrested for fucking you on someone’s tombstone.”

She bit back a grin. “We wouldn’t want that.” Suddenly, her steps faltered. “Keir, I’m not sure I should be driving.”

“I’m positive you shouldn’t be driving.” I urged her forward with my hand at her back. “I’ll have someone get the car. You’re coming with me.”

Appeased, she continued but paused again after I opened the passenger side door. “Where are you taking me?”

“Home. You live with me now.”

She nodded, but her brows remained knitted tightly together. I got the sense she wasn’t convinced, and it grated under my skin. She still didn’t grasp that I was in her life for good.

Rowan was mine, and I’d prove it to her every damn day if I had to until she finally understood.

That night while Rowan slept,I lay in bed and thought about my next moves. I had two big fucking problems—Oran’s treachery and the danger surrounding Rowan.

Damyon had earned his nickname for good reason. The man was literally a shadow—no last name and no solid business or personal associations. He appeared on the scene from nowhere, making a savage reputation for himself in a matter of weeks.

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