“Not a chance.” He tore the small package open, retrieving the protective sheath and rolling it over his aching length.
Shadow smiled, her heavy-lidded eyes following his every move. And when she licked her lips as if she were about to consume a delicious meal, he had to force himself not to pounce.
The mattress dipped beneath him as he rejoined her on the bed. Slade settled himself between her legs, keeping the bulk of his weight balanced with his forearms at either side of her head.
Speaking of her head…
His gaze slid to the injured area on her forehead, the skin around the bandaged cut even darker than it was when they’d first arrived. The same murderous rage he felt toward the person responsible threatened to return.
“I’m okay,” she promised him softly. “Really, I am.”
She brought a palm to his cheek, the sweet touch creating a rush of emotion he didn’t know he possessed. Leaning down, he pressed his mouth to a spot next to the place where she’d been hurt, letting he know without words how sorry he was that she’d been hurt.
“Slade,” Shadow whispered his name like a prayer.
He pulled back, feeling as though something significant had just changed. Not with her, and he hoped like hell nothing ever did. Because as far as he was concerned, she was perfect in every way.
No, the change Slade felt came from a place buried deep within himself. A shifting of sorts, and one he couldn’t exactly name. But it was there, and whatever it was he was feeling, it was all because of her.
Her actions. Her amazing heart. And also…her sweet words.
“Say it again.”
Shadow frowned, clearly confused by the unexpected command. “Say what? That I really am okay?” she asked softly.
He gave a quick shake of his head. “Not that part,” he clarified. “I want to hear you say my name.”
A slow and gentle smile lifted both corners of her lips. Her eyes remained locked with his, and with her very next breath, Shadow opened her mouth and whispered his name again.
“Slade.”
God, he’d never get tired of hearing that. Not when it was coming from her.
His heart kicked against his ribs, and then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Slade no longer hated the sound of the name.
Before now—beforeher—it had merely served as a constant reminder of the darkness from which he’d been created. When she said it, however…when he heard his name fall from Shadow’s lips…Slade realized it was time to leave all that other in the past.
The future, that was what he needed to focus on. It was suddenly the only thing that mattered.
Sure, his past had molded him into the man he was today, and there were some parts he hoped he never forgot. But from this moment on, Slade decided he was going to let the rest of the shit go.
Starting today, he was focusing on being the man Shadow saw when she looked deep into his eyes. Starting now, he made a silent promise to himself to do whatever it took to become the man she deserved.
Because she was what mattered. Shadow, her father, and the rest of the team. They were the family he’d never been given, and thanks to her, he finally understood that was all he’d ever need.
“Make love to me, Slade.” She said his name again.
This time, it was accompanied by a request he was more than happy to fulfill.
With his eyes still on hers, Slade reached a hand between their bodies to align himself up to her welcoming core. He hissed a breath when he felt her hot and ready, and as he began pushing his hips forward, he moved gently to avoid causing her pain.
She was tight, and he was larger than average. And since the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her, he went slow, giving her body time to adjust to his size.
Shadow’s eyes fell shut, and her lips parted with a feathery gasp. At first, he worried he’d hurt her in spite of the care he was taking, but then…she smiled.
“You good?” he asked, because he had to be sure.
Her heated gaze returned to his. “I’m good. You?”
