Page 81 of Shades of You

Then I groaned, a deep wrenching sound of frustration. “Shit. I don’t have a condom.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Brenna said as she tracedher fingers over the lines of my tattoo, lighting me on fire. She lay back on the couch, pulling me with her. “I’m on the pill. Safe.”

“I’m safe too,” I managed to say, already anticipating the feel of her without any barrier between us. I couldn’t resist the overwhelming urge to claim her as I nudged her legs apart with my knee. “You’re mine. Now and always.”

“Yes. And you’re mine.”

With a deep, rough growl, I rammed into her warmth. Her heat enveloped me completely. And in an utterly new way. Brenna’s moans grew louder, matching my own as our bodies moved in perfect synchronization. My desire built with each deepening thrust, my movements becoming more urgent and desperate. The sensations were so raw, so intense, I could hardly stand it. Brenna’s nails dug into my back as she cried out. The sweet pain only fueled my desire, sending shock after shock through my entire being.

This wasn’t just sex—it was catharsis.

It was two souls cementing their bond, using a language older than words to express what they felt. We continued to move together, our bodies speaking a rhythm of desire and need. And so much more. As her hands gripped my hips, pulling me deeper, I could feel every beat of her heart echoing inside me.

She latched onto my shoulder with her teeth as she moaned my name, her voice hoarse. When her muscles tensed, her body convulsing around me, I was close too. I thrust harder, deeper, and at last, she shuddered beneath me. Arching into me, her mouth opened in a wordless cry.

The sight of her climax was enough to send me over. Every muscle in my body tensed and then released in a euphoric rush. I clenched my eyes shut and drowned in the intensity of the moment, feeling her body respond to mine like we were meant to be together.

Because we were.

As I was overcome completely, a guttural roar escaped my lungs. Brenna’s name fell from my tongue like a prayer.

Afterward, with her head on my chest, I traced lazy patterns on her back as we lay on her couch. The heat of the moment had cooled to a warm ember, but the fire she ignited in me was far from extinguished. It never would be.

I stared at the book with its worn cover. “I need you to know something. No matter what happens with our families… I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“I promise you the same.” Brenna lifted her head, her green eyes catching the moonlight. Then a stunning smile rose on her face that made my breath catch. “But, Hunter, I don’t think we’ll need to worry about that.”

“Oh?”

“Both of our families are tired of holding onto old grudges. They’re ready to move forward, just like us.”

With a grin that held no dark shades, only light, I pulled her closer. “So you know what this means, right? Romeo and Juliet got their happy ending after all.”

We laughed together, the sound harmonizing with the distant, gentle breeze outside. In this room, in this moment, and for all those to come, the world was ours.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Brenna

Pedro was sprawledacross the windowsill, his once tiny frame now spilling over the edges in a display of adolescent feline grace. I grinned at the sight, then my eyes were diverted to the framed photo hanging prominently on the wall. Evan and Hunter as kids, grinning with their arms casually looped around each other’s shoulders. He’d hung it the other night, mentioning that after keeping it for years, it was finally where it belonged. Hearing footsteps, I turned to see Hunter emerging from his bedroom in black jeans, which wasn’t unusual. But his royal-blue shirt most definitely was.

“Look at you, stepping out in something other than your signature black,” I teased, my gaze traveling appreciatively over the clean lines of his jeans and the way his shirt contrasted the ink on his upper arms and chest.

Hunter shot me that crooked smile that always made my stomach do somersaults. “Figured it was about time I stopped dressing like I was attending a perpetual funeral.”Closing the distance between us with a few easy strides, his arms circled my waist, pulling me close enough that I could count the different shades of brown weaving through his irises.

“You look…” His words trailed off as his warm lips found mine. The sensation was familiar now, yet every kiss felt like rediscovering a favorite book after a long time. “Delicious.”

“Thank you,” I murmured against his mouth, and a blush warmed my cheeks. The light green sundress I had chosen this morning fluttered around my legs as I stepped back reluctantly. Pedro hopped off the windowsill and sauntered over to meow at Hunter.

He frowned at the cat. “You better not be complaining about the new treats I bought you. I got three different kinds just to make sure you liked one of them.”

I couldn’t resist giggling. “So are you finally ready to admit Pedro has earned a permanent place in your heart?”

A rueful look crossed Hunter’s face as he met my eyes. “Guess it’s pointless to deny anymore, huh?”

“Very. Good thing you’ve got a big heart. Plenty of room in there.” I patted his chest with a solid thump, enjoying the hard muscle, then exhaled a sigh. “We should get going. I promise this will be nice and casual.”

“I keep telling myself if I can handle a cave full of Taliban, a gaggle of Coleridges shouldn’t be too much trouble.” Hunter released me but kept one hand entwined with mine as I burst into laughter.

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