She presses her fingers to my lips, silencing every insecurity I’ve ever swallowed. “Nitro…” she murmurs. “You are more than good enough. Queenie’s going to see the same man I see.” Her palm cups my cheek, thumb stroking lightly. “A manwho protects people. Who shows up. Who makes me feel safe. Cherished. Like I am… enough.”
The words hit hard.
Harder than any punch I’ve ever taken.
Before I can stop myself, I grab her and kiss her, slow at first, then deeper, hungrier as she melts into me. Her fingers curl into my hair, pulling me closer with a soft, desperate sound that shivers down my spine.
When we break apart, we’re breathing harshly.
“I love y-you,” I hear myself say, my voice cracking. “Marley, I love you. I’ve been trying to choke it down for weeks, and I can’t anymore.”
Her eyes widen, then shine.
Full, bright, and brave.
For one horrible second, fear slices through me.
Then she grabs my jaw and kisses me fiercely enough to steal the doubt clean out of me.
“I love you too,” she murmurs against my mouth. “Nitro, I love you so much it scares me.”
“Yeah?” My voice is nothing more than gravel and hope.
“Yeah.”
Something inside me breaks open.
All the restraint. All the hesitation. All the fear.
Gone.
I slide my hand to her hip, and she gasps softly as I guide her back to the mattress. She goes willingly, her legs brushing mine, her breath catching as I hover over her.
Her fingers trail up my arms, over my shoulders, tracing muscle and ink. “Touch me,” she whispers, her voice trembling with want.
And fuck, that pleading?
That’s allmine.
I kiss her again, deeper, slower, letting her feel every ounce of what I can’t say. My lips trail her throat, over her collarbone, mapping every sound she makes as if I need to memorize it all.
Her back arches, her soft breasts pressing against my chest, her thighs brushing my hips with restless, needy little movements that make heat punch straight through me.
“Marley…” I groan against her skin, my voice rough. “You drive me insane.”
Her fingers slide into my hair, tugging. “Good,” she whispers, her breath shaky. “Then we’re even.”
My hand strokes slowly down her side, feeling her tremble beneath my touch. She’s soft everywhere, all curves, warmth, and a trust she gives me like a gift I’ll never fucking take for granted.
I move lower, trailing kisses across her stomach, loving the way she gasps, sharp, unguarded,real.
Her hips lift, seeking more, but I pin them gently with one broad hand, kissing slow enough that she whimpers.
My fingers slide along her inner thigh, and she inhales sharply, her knees parting in a helpless, beautiful invitation that goes straight to my spine.
“That’s it,” I murmur against her skin, my voice thick with hunger. “Open up for me.”
Her breath stutters.
