Page 149 of Shameless Royalty

“Just shut up for once, alright?” My voice comes out soft but steady, surprising me. “Let me have this.”

He watches silently as I hold the silver ring between my fingers, rolling it gently. Its weight is familiar and comforting, warm from his skin, and even though it’s just a small piece of metal, it carries everything we are within it. Slowly, I slip itback onto my own finger facing the right way again. The way it’s meant to be.

Heart taken. Claimed by him.

Connor watches my every move carefully, eyes darkening with each passing second. My stomach twists pleasantly at the intensity in his gaze, the possessive way his eyes follow my fingers, like he’s already picturing my hands on him.

“You gonna show me how much you’ve missed me, Cunningham?” I ask softly, my voice steadier than I expected, a hint of challenge slipping through.

My pulse pounds erratically as I hold his gaze. Connor is always confident, always cocky and sure of himself, but right now, he’s looking at me like he can barely keep himself under control.

He leans in, moving deliberately slowly, one of his hands sliding along the curve of my neck to cup my jaw. His thumb strokes my cheekbone, eyes heavy with intensity.

“You have any fuckin’ idea how much I’ve missed you?” he growls softly, his breath warm against my skin. “I’ve barely slept. Barely ate. Couldn’t think straight without you. I’ve been miserable, Malachi. A fuckin’ wreck.”

My chest aches at his words. I suck in a shaky breath, trying not to let him see just how deeply that hits me. But the truth is, I missed him too—missed him so much that I felt hollow without him like he took a part of me when he left. I press my fingers lightly against his chest, feeling his heartbeat hammering beneath my fingertips.

“Then prove it,” I whisper, a challenge in my eyes.

Connor’s eyes flash dangerously, dark and hungry, and the tension between us snaps instantly, replaced with something wild and desperate. He surges forward, capturing my mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss that steals my breath and leaves me dizzy.

He kisses me like he can’t stop, and like he’s afraid if he does, I’ll vanish again. His hands slip into my hair, tugging slightly, angling my head exactly how he wants it, deepening the kiss until I’m gasping against his mouth.

My hands clutch at his shirt, pulling him even closer. The taste of him, familiar and intoxicating, sends heat racing down my spine. It’s been so long—too fucking long—since I’ve felt him. I’m desperate for him now, and the small sounds I’m making seem to drive him wild.

He breaks away slightly, breathing hard as his lips brush down my jaw to my neck. His tongue flicks against my pulse point, teeth scraping lightly, making me shudder.

“Fuck, Malachi,” he breathes against my skin, his voice rough and strained. “Do you know how many nights I spent thinkin’ about you? Thinkin’ about touchin’ you like this, holdin’ you—” his mouth brushes my ear, voice low and hoarse. “Thinkin’ about tasting you again, hearing you moan for me…”

I bite my lip hard, barely holding back a whimper. “Goddamn it, Connor,” I breathe, gripping his shirt tighter. “You can’t just say shite like that.”

His chuckle vibrates against my skin as he pulls me even closer, his fingers digging into my hips possessively. “Then let me take care of you, baby. Let me make up for every minute I wasn’t there.”

The sincerity in his voice sends warmth flooding through my chest, chasing away the lingering doubt that’s haunted me for months. I try to laugh it off, try to keep it casual, but my voice shakes. “You’re insane.”

He grins, slow and lazy and so fucking confident it almost makes me roll my eyes again. “Maybe. But I’m yours. Every fucked up part of me is yours.”

Heat floods my face at the intensity of his gaze. I duck my head, suddenly self-conscious, but Connor doesn’t let me hide.He tilts my chin back up, his thumb brushing across my lower lip. “Look at me, baby.”

I meet his eyes reluctantly, feeling too exposed, too vulnerable, but the love and sincerity shining in his gaze settle the anxiety twisting in my stomach. He smiles softly, thumb brushing over my cheek.

“I’m yours. No more games, no more bullshite. I’ll tell anyone who asks exactly who I belong to.” He chuckles quietly. “Hell, I’ll tell people who don’t ask, just because I fuckin’ can.”

I blush furiously, ducking my head. “You’re so dramatic.”

“You love it,” he murmurs teasingly.

“Maybe,” I admit quietly, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips.

He chuckles, lips brushing mine softly again, sweet and lingering. “I missed you, baby. More than you’ll ever fuckin’ know.”

My heart swells so much it hurts. “Prove it,” I whisper teasingly this time, my eyes locked on his.

Connor’s expression darkens instantly, eyes blazing with heat. A growl rumbles deep in his chest, and in a heartbeat, he’s pushing me back against the bed. His mouth is demanding against mine, deepening the kiss, swallowing my surprised gasp as he pins me beneath him.

He shifts slightly, his mouth moving down my jaw again, tongue flicking along my pulse point, sucking just enough to leave a mark that will linger. I moan quietly, gripping his shoulders and tugging him impossibly closer. I feel the hard muscles beneath his shirt, feel his heartbeat racing beneath my palms. Christ, he feels so fucking perfect.

His lips meet mine again, this time with a hunger that makes my whole body shiver. As he kisses me deeper, his fingers slide beneath my shirt, warm against my skin, leaving me breathless.

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