Page 39 of It Was Always You

My thoughts must be clearly broadcasted on my face because one second Owen is pacing and muttering to himself, and the next, he’s dropped to his knees in front of me as he vows, “Cora, baby, nothing and no one is ever going to touch you again. I made a promise to myself that if you could just hold on until I got you, I would never let anyone get close to you again. I’ll lay down my life to keep that promise. Every soldier of the Four Points has vowed to protect you until their dying breath, and their sons after them. You’re our princess, baby, and the strength you showed to come back to us in one piece is more than most would possess.”

As he cups my face, green eyes locked on mine, I feel a part of my fractured soul knit itself back together. It might take some time, and I might never be as carefree as before, but with Owen by my side, I’ll be okay.

Chapter 32

Three months later

At four months pregnant, Cora is glowing, finally off bed rest and desperate to get settled before the baby comes. As much as living in her dad’s place has been great for allowing her the time and space to heal at her own pace, it’s not exactly the ideal place to start our family.

Back when we first got her home, I started looking at houses, trying to find one that felt like it would be the perfect place for us but was also still within the Four Points protection. It honestly felt like a losing battle until I remembered her house was located in the perfect location.

“Where did you say we’re going again?”

“It’s a surprise, baby, l can’t spoil it now.” I pull up in front of our new home, turning to face her. Her lips are parted in surprise before she meets my gaze, puzzled.

“What are we doing here?” she breathes as I walk around and help her out of the car before taking her by the hand and leading her round the side to the garden. As much as I’m sure she’s dying to see the inside, I can’t wait a single second longer to make her mine for forever.

Officially, at least.

“Showing you our new home, if you want to live here. But first, I’ve one more surprise.” I place my hands over her eyes and round the corner.

Our first date was a budget picnic at the safe house so it only seems fitting to recreate that here. But bigger and better.

This time, I’ve laid out a duvet and huge throw pillows from our bed, since the more padding, the better, considering she’s carrying our little one now. I’ve also strung fairy lights around the garden and placed some candles in the shape of a heart around the blanket with roses scattered everywhere.

I guide her over to the duvet, helping her step over the candles and flowers before uncovering her eyes. At her gasp, I smirk. Fuck, I love her reactions when I surprise her.

I sink down to one knee in the middle of the heart, pulling out the box that’s been burning a hole in my pocket all day. Her eyes widen when she sees it.

“Cora, I’ve loved you for a decade, and I’ll love you for a hundred more. I bought this house for you years ago so you’d always have it waiting for you to be ready to come home. And I can’t wait to raise our family together in it, but there’s just one thing we’re missing. Will you do me the honour of—’’ I don’t even get to finish before she drops to her knees and seals her mouth to mine, crying ‘yes’ between every kiss.

Sliding the ring on her finger feels like a dream come true, and as soon as I have both hands free, I bury one in her hair and use the other to cup her jaw. Holding her where she belongs, now and forever.

We end up with me flat on my back and her straddling me as we continue to make out with her grinding down on top of me, causing me to thrust up into her and groan. “I love you so much,” she says as she kisses her way down my neck and undoes my shirt to kiss my chest.

My cock twitches at her proximity, and I groan out, “You gonna suck my cock, baby?”

She flashes me a smirk, looking at me with hooded eyes as she frees my cock from my jeans. Cora takes me straight down the back of her throat, and with a shout, I thrust up, unable to help it. Flicking her tongue along the sensitive head, she holds eye contact as she continues to drive me wild. The vibrations on my cock causes my eyes to roll back. I tug her hair to get her off me before I lose it and come down her throat.

Twisting us so she’s the one on her back, I kneel between her legs, pushing her dress up to see her soaked panties.

“So wet for me. Did sucking my cock get you hot, baby?” I lick her over her panties to tease her, before nipping her hipbone when she just moans and bucks her hips.

“Please, O, don’t tease me.”

Growling, I rip her panties before slamming our mouths together. Pulling back from her, I make my way back down to her pussy as I tell her how this is going to go. “I’m not going to tease you. I’m going to eat this pretty pussy and then I’m going to fuck it and eat it again until I’ve had my fill.”

Making good on my promise to fuck her within an inch of her life, I kiss her. She lies passed out on my chest under the stars.

Knowing I get to love her for the rest of my life is the best gift a man could get. I don’t know what I have done to get so lucky, but I’ll spend every day making sure she knows just how loved she is.

Chapter 33

Owen buying Mum’s house from me all those years ago, hoping that one day we could make it a home again means more to me than I could ever put into words. This man should be a hardened mafia, but instead, he has the most tender heart I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I can’t wait to raise our family with him. He’s going to be the absolute best dad to our little one.

“You ready to go, baby?” Looking up from fastening my heels, I just about lose my panties. Wow. Owen is hot everyday but Owen in a suit? Fuck me seven ways to Sunday, please and thank you.

“Are you sure we have to go?”

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