He sets a rhythm—slow, deep, relentless. Every thrust fills me completely, stretching me open, claiming space I didn’t know I had to give. My body clenches around him, wet and aching, demanding more.
We lose ourselves.
The world narrows to heat and breath and the slide of his hands over my body. He shifts one hand, sliding it down between us to find my clit.
I cry out, my back arching off the mattress.
“I’ve got you,” he whispers, watching me come undone. “Let go, baby. I’ve got you.”
The friction of his thumb and the deep, heavy thrust of his cock is too much. The tension coils tight in my belly, sharper and sharper until I can’t breathe.
“Declan…” I breathe, voice catching. “Declan, please.”
He doesn’t speed up. He just grinds deeper, hitting that same spot over and over until I’m sobbing his name.
My climax hits hard, tearing a cry from my chest, my thighs tightening around him, milking him.
He groans into my mouth, thrusts stuttering, and then he’s coming too, body shaking above me, pouring himself into me.
He collapses to the side immediately, dragging me into his arms, keeping our bodies tangled on the small bed. We fit, somehow. Limbs woven together, skin damp and cooling.
He presses a soft kiss to the back of my shoulder. Then another. And another.
His hand covers my waist, splayed wide, protective.
“You okay?” he murmurs—soft, quiet, meant only for me.
I turn toward him, pressing my forehead to his.
“I’m perfect,” I whisper.
His fingers brush a slow line down my spine.
I fall asleep with his arms wrapped around me and his breath warm against my hair.
Safe.
Wanted.
Chosen.
Exactly where I want to be.
Chapter 25
Talia
Thehallwayistooquiet.
It’s the “Donor Wing” of the athletics building, all polished wood and brushed-steel plaques. It smells sterile. Like money and whatever they use to wipe fingerprints off the glass.
My heart is a frantic, trapped bird in my chest, so loud I’m sure the security camera down the hall can hear it.
I’m a ghost in a new machine, standing lookout with Clara and Adrian by the stairwell, our backs to the wall, the metal handrail digging into my spine.
My phone buzzes in my hand.
A text from Genny, who’s at the far end of the hall with Declan, just out of sight, near Alistair’s office.
