Page 60 of Shameless Royalty

“Why?” I snap. “So you can laugh at me? So you can—”

Connor growls. He actually fuckinggrowlsat me, his grip on me tightening as his jaw clenches. “I already told you—I’m not askin’ to mock you.”

I swallow hard, my breath coming too fast, my pulse hammering against my ribs. “Then why are you askin’?”

“Because I need to know so I don’t push you too fuckin’ hard. So I don’t make you feel like you’re losin’ control of somethin’you’re not ready for, and that means I need to be careful with you.”

The words knock the breath out of me and I stop struggling, blinking up at him, my pulse pounding in my ears.

Care…ful?With me?

No one has ever given a fuck about being careful with me before. No one has ever bothered to ask if I was new to something; if I was okay.

And now Connor fucking Cunningham—the arrogant, cocky bastard who kidnapped me, who torments me, who makes my life a fucking mess—is sitting here, holding me close like I matter, telling me he needs to be careful with me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, my throat tight. “I—” I break off, exhaling shakily before muttering, “Yeah. I am.”

I open my eyes and watch as Connor tilts his head, watching me like he’s reading me, and can see every fucking thought in my head. “Have you kissed or touched anyone before this?”

My cheeks heat even more and I drop my gaze, clenching my jaw. “N-no… I haven’t.”

Before I can snap at him for that question, he tugs me forward, pulling me flush against his chest. His arms wrap around me again, and I swear to fucking god, I melt before I can stop myself.

“So you’ve not only had your first real sexual experience, but it was with another man,” he continues, his voice patient, like he knows. “It’s a lot. I get that.”

I swallow hard, my mind still racing, but his words settle something inside me. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m feelin’, Connor,” I admit.

He hums, his hand moving to stroke my hair, and fuck, it feels so good and makes me feel safe. “I do.”

I frown against his chest. “You do?”

He nods. “You feel lost right now, don’t you?”

I swallow hard, nodding before I can stop myself. “Yeah,” I croak.

He nods again, like he understands. Like he’s been here before. “That’s normal,” he says. “You’re feeling a drop.”

“A… drop?” I echo, my voice weak.

“You’re comin’ down,” he explains. “Your body’s still ridin’ the high from what just happened, and your brain hasn’t caught up yet. You feel raw, maybe a little shaky, and probably confused as fuck.”

I shake my head. “I’m not—”

“You are,” he says gently, cutting me off. “And it doesn’t make you weak. It’s normal and happens a lot after intense experiences, especially when you’re not used to it.”

I let out a shuddering breath. “How do I stop it?”

Connor chuckles softly, pressing another kiss to the side of my head. “You don’t.”

I tense slightly, and he squeezes my waist. “You ride it out,” he corrects. “And you let me take care of you.”

I stiffen again, but he just holds me tighter—his warmth bleeding into me, his presence grounding me in a way I don’t understand but need.

“Malachi,” he says, his voice so fucking gentle. “Let me take care of you.”

I lick my lips, trying to piece together the mess of thoughts swirling in my head. “And you… you know this? Because—?”

He smirks slightly, but it’s softer now, less of his usual arrogance and more something real. “Because I’m a dom, Babyface.”

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