Ashton reached out, his hand cupping my cheek, warmth spreading through me from his touch. "Yes, Erin. We are," he said, his gaze locking with mine.
It was like a switch flipped inside me, and all the disjointed pieces of my life suddenly snapped into place. This connection, this undeniable pull betweenus—it made sense now. It wasn't just about survival or shared experiences; it was destiny.
"Then I want you to claim me." The words tumbled out before I could think better of them. There was no regret, only certainty. "I love you, Ashton."
Chapter 30
Erin
For a moment,Ashton simply looked at me, a storm of emotions playing across his features. Then, with a growl of pure need, swept me up into his arms. His stride was confident as he carried me toward the house and his bedroom, where the night would seal our bond in the most primal way imaginable.
"I love you, Erin," he said with a ferocity that sent shivers down my spine. My heart raced, not with fear, but with anticipation for the culmination of a bond that felt as ancient as the stars themselves.
The door to Ashton's bedroom closed with a soft click behind us, and he placed me gently on the edge of the bed. His eyes never left mine; they were pools of molten gold, burning with an intensity that both scared and thrilled me.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice deep and resonant in the quiet room.
I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. "Yes, I've never been surer of anything."
He kneeled before me, taking my hands in his. "Erin, claiming is forever. It's not just a word. It's my soul recognizing yours."
"I understand," I whispered. My heart was a drumbeat echoing through the silence, each thump echoing my resolve.
"Then we begin," Ashton said, and his lips found mine in a kiss that stole my breath away. It was gentle at first, then grew with an urgency that matched the beating of my heart.
We broke apart, gasping for air, and he looked into my eyes again. "I love you, Erin. With everything I am."
"And I love you, Ashton. With all my heart."
He stood then and undressed. I watched, my pulse racing, as he revealed the body of a warrior—sculpted and powerful. When he was done, he helped me out of my clothes, his fingers deft and careful.
"Ready?" he asked, his gaze searching mine for any hesitation.
I nodded, the moment settling around us.
"Then let's begin our forever," he said, and lifted me into his arms once more, laying me down onto the bed as if I were the most precious thing in the world. He pulled a condom out of the bedside drawer and opened it so he could slip it on when needed.
Ashton's words echoed in my mind, resonated within my soul. He loved me. And I loved him too. My heart beat wildly in anticipation as he lowered himself beside me on the bed, his warm breath tickling my earlobe. His fingers trailed softly down my spine, tracing the curve of my back until they reached the hem of my underwear. With a gentle tug, he pulled them off, leaning in closer and drew circles around it with his nose, his hot breath causing me to shiver in excitement. His tongue darted out to taste me, lapping at my nectar like a hungry beast. It was an intense sensation that made me cry out softly.
His firm hands slid up to cup my breasts, massaging them gently before meeting his lips with a tender kiss. My nipples hardened under his touch, sending sharp pangs of pleasure through my body.
The bed dipped slightly as he pressed his weight onto me, pinning one of my legs over his shoulder so that he could slip into position.
"Erin?" Ashton said quietly?
"Yeah?" Oh, my gosh, would he just shove it in already? I was about to die.
"Do you want kids?"
That was an odd time to ask, but… "Yeah." I stared at his dick, the head just barely touching my entrance and shifted my hips, so he rubbed against me.
"Soon?"
"Yeah."
My pussy stretched deliciously as he entered me completely, and then we were connected in a way that felt both intimate and powerful. He moved slowly at first, finding a rhythm that matched our hearts' beats as he pushed deeper inside of me with each thrust.
The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room along with our labored breaths and moans of pleasure. Every nerve ending screamed for more as Ashton took control, pushing deeper still into my depths. The heat of his body surrounded me, engulfing me in a fiery embrace that made my toes curl and muscles clench uncontrollably. His free hand roamed over my stomach, tracing patterns. My nipples hardened even more.
