Page 83 of Taming a Ruthless Heart

For a moment, he just stares at me, as if trying to absorb my words.Then, without warning, he pulls me into his arms, crushing me against his chest.His heart pounds against mine.His breath warms my cheeks as he buries his face in my hair.

“God, Alexia…” he groans, his voice thick with emotion.“I don’t deserve you.I never did.”

I pull back just enough to look up at him, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw.“Maybe not,” I say, a soft smile tugging at my lips.“But I’m staying anyway.”

His gaze softens, a glimmer of vulnerability shining through his hardened exterior.He lowers his forehead to mine, his hands sliding down my back, pulling me closer.“I promise you I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe.I’ll be better.I’ll make up for every mistake.”

“And I’ll be right here, by your side.No matter what comes.”

He kisses me then, a fierce, desperate kiss that speaks of all the things we’ve been through and all the promises we’ve made.His lips are rough and demanding, tasting of pain and hope.And in this kiss, I feel everything we’re willing to fight for.

When we pull apart, he brushes his thumb over my cheek, wiping away a tear I hadn’t even realized had fallen.His eyes search my face, that familiar, deep green now clouded with something raw, desperate.“You’re really staying,” he whispers, a hint of awe in his tone, as though he can’t believe that I chose him.

I nod, unable to find words as the air gets thick and electric with the sensual tension vibrating around us.He holds my hands, his grip firm but gentle, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a soothing rhythm that steadies me, even as my pulse races.I reach up, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, and let my fingers linger, tracing the hard lines of his face, his chiseled jaw.

In an instant, his mouth is on mine again, fierce and unrestrained.I lose myself in the heat of his kiss, in the way he takes control yet somehow lets me lead, as if he’s holding back, afraid I might slip away if he holds on too tightly.His hands slide around my waist, pulling me flush against him, and I feel the strength in his erection, the promise of protection, of possession.

“Come with me,” he says against my lips, low and gravelly.Before I can respond, he’s guiding me through the living room, past the expansive windows that stretch from floor to ceiling, capturing Boston’s glittering skyline against the night.I catch glimpses of the city lights, the buildings twinkling like stars, but my focus is all on him—the way his fingers grip mine, his gaze flicking back to me with that unmistakable hunger.

He leads me to the piano, its polished ivory surface gleaming under the soft lighting, and lifts me onto the closed lid with surprising ease.The cool wood presses against my thighs as I settle, my breath hitching as he steps between my legs, his hands never leaving me.I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him close until there’s no space between us, only heat, need, and the unspoken promises that linger between us.

His fingers trace a path down my spine, sending shivers along my skin, igniting a fire that spreads through me, hot and all-consuming.He kisses me again, his mouth claiming mine, and I give in, letting myself drown in him, in the way he makes me feel alive, wanted.My fingers dig into his shoulders as his hands slip beneath my blouse, his touch warm, relentless, and I arch into him, surrendering completely.

“Alexia…” he whispers, his voice rough with desire, his lips grazing the sensitive skin at my neck, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.“I don’t know if I can be gentle right now.I want you so fucking much.”

I close my eyes, my body trembling as his words wash over me, each one igniting something deeper, more intense.“Then don’t,” I breathe out.“Take me.I’m yours.Always have been.”

His eyes darken, a low growl escaping his lips as he pulls me even closer, his hands gripping my hips, holding me with a possessiveness that sends a thrill through me.Our movements grow frantic, desperate, as he unbuckles his pants, getting his cock out.I get rid of my panties, throwing them over my shoulder.We don’t bother to get completely naked because we’re in a hurry.It’s as if we’re making up for lost time, for the years we spent apart, for everything that we almost lost.

The piano shudders beneath us, the only witness to our passion, and I clutch at his shoulders, my nails digging into his flesh as he drives his erection deep inside my body.

“Dave!”His name slips from my lips in a breathless whisper as he takes me over the edge.

“Alexia!”he grunts, speeding up the thrusts of his hips.

Our breaths mingle and our moans fill the room when our passion combusts and we fall apart together.

When it’s over, I’m left breathless, staring into his eyes, those intense green depths that hold a lifetime of promises and love.It’s something deeper that will always bind us.

I cup his face.“I love you,” I breathe.

A slow smile spreads across his lips, and he leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to the tip of my nose.“Love you more, Sandy,” he replies, the nickname wrapping around me like a warm blanket.

The next day, we don’t leave the apartment.The world outside fades away, and it’s just us, exploring every inch of his place, every corner becoming a new canvas for our passion.We move to the terrace, where the crisp morning air prickles against my skin as I lean against the cool metal railing.Dave steps behind me, his hands warm as they slide down my arms, sending a shiver of pleasure through me.

“I love you,” he murmurs, pulling me against himself.“And I want you.We made love all night, but I want you again.Right now.”

I tilt my head back, resting against his chest.The cotton of the T-shirt I’ve borrowed from him is no barrier for the heat that his erection ignites, throbbing between my butt cheeks.Desire overwhelms me, making everything else fade away.

“I feel the same,” I say, my voice barely more than a breath.

He turns me to face him, his eyes tracing every line of my body as if he’s memorizing me.His hands grip my waist as he leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that’s slow and tender.

The city stretches out below us, sprawling and vast, but here, in his arms, it feels like we’re the only two people in the world.His hands slide over my back, holding me steady as he deepens the kiss.I cherish his tenderness, but I want his raw, powerful passion.

I spear my fingers through his damp hair, allowing a smile to turn up my lips as I remember the way he took me in the shower.

I fist my hands, yanking at his hair.“Take me, Dave, please,” I beg.

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