“Eyes on me, Nora,” I order in a firmer tone, and she opens them. Wide and wild, solely focused on my face, they are a sight to behold.
I’m fighting to hold on, to make this last, but the way she’s looking at me—like I’m everything she’s ever wanted, like I’m some sort of a miracle—pushes me dangerously close to the edge. No one has ever looked at me this way.
My rhythm falters as I try to regain control, but she’s having none of it.
“Don’t hold back,” she whispers, her hands sliding down to grip my ass, urging me deeper. “I want all of you.”
Something breaks loose inside me at her words. I driveinto her harder, faster, watching her face for any sign of discomfort, but there’s only pleasure there, raw and unfiltered. Her breath comes in short, sharp gasps that match my thrusts.
“That’s it,” I growl, feeling her tighten around me. “Come for me again.”
She arches beneath me, her body tensing as she hovers on the precipice. I slip a hand between us, finding the spot where she needs me most, and circle my thumb there.
“Jericho!” My name tears from her throat as she shatters around me, her inner walls clenching so tight I see stars. The sensation of her coming undone beneath me, because of me, pushes me over the edge.
I bury myself deep inside her one last time, my release hitting me like a freight train as my body starts shaking.
We stay locked together, both of us breathing hard, sweat cooling on our skin. I’m careful not to crush her with my weight, but I can’t bring myself to pull away completely. Not yet.
“Damn,” I finally manage, pressing my lips to her temple. “That was…”
“Better than chess,” she finishes breathlessly, and I can hear the smile in her voice.
I chuckle, finally rolling to the side and pulling her against me. She curls into my chest, her hair twisting up in my beard. The moonlight streams in through the window, highlighting her red hair. Her skin is flushed, there are beard burns on her soft skin, and I want to say I’m sorry but I’m not. I like my marks on her skin. I like seeing hermine.
“No regrets about the moon cave?” I ask, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare shoulder.
She tilts her head up to look at me, eyes sparkling with mischief. “None whatsoever. Though I think you might have ruined me for anyone else.”
The possessive satisfaction that floods through me at herwords should probably concern me, but I can’t bring myself to care. I tighten my arms around her, pulling her closer.
“Good,” I murmur against her hair. “That was the plan.”
She laughs softly, the vibration traveling through my chest. “So calculating.”
“When it comes to you? Absolutely.” I tip her chin up so I can see her face properly. “I don’t share, Nora.”
Something flickers in her eyes—surprise, maybe a hint of uncertainty. “Is that what this is? You claiming me?”
The question hangs between us, heavier than it should be for pillow talk. But looking down at her, hair mussed from my hands, lips swollen from my kisses, skin marked with evidence of what we just shared, I know there’s only one honest answer.
“Yes,” I say simply. “If you’ll let me.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, her fingers absently tracing the lines of my chest. I can practically hear her thinking, working through whatever doubts are racing through her mind. I wait, patient despite the way my heart pounds against my ribs.
“I don’t know if I’ve been claimed before,” she finally whispers. “Dick never… he made it feel like I should be grateful he even wanted me.”
The mention of that bastard’s name makes my jaw clench as I add another thing to my list of reasons to hate him, but I force myself to stay still. This isn’t about him anymore.
“That’s not claiming,” I say, my voice rougher than I intend. “That’s settling. What I’m talking about is different.”
“How?”
I shift so I can look at her properly, my hand cupping her face. “You are mine. For better or for worse. And I’ll beat the shit out of anyone who makes you feel any less than you are.”
Her breath catches, and I see the moment my words hit home.
“You are serious, aren’t you?”
