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“On one condition.” His hand came up, brushing her hair back. “Last time … it was primal instinct. And our first was fueled by anger and loss.” His voice dropped, steadier now. “This time, we take it slow.”
That sounded … unfamiliar. “Not sure I know how.”
His hand settled at her neck, his thumb brushing along her jaw. “Do you trust me?”
Trust.
The word scraped against something deep inside her. She didn’t trust people. Ever. Trust got you hurt. Broke you open and left you bleeding.
But Ronan…
Her gaze lifted to his. “Yeah,” she whispered. “I do.”
The admission felt fragile. Dangerous.
“Trust me to take care of you.”
Dammit, her sinuses burned. She sniffed, nodding. “Okay.”
His smile … it hit her square in the chest. In the best — and worst — way.
Ronan stepped back and held out his hand.
She hesitated only a fraction of a second before placing hers in it.
He led her to the bedroom.
The first thing he did was cross the room and pull open the drapes. Daylight flooded in, spilling across the bed, across the walls.
Across her. Like a spotlight.
Panic spiked through her. “What—”
He turned back and pressed a finger gently to her lips, one brow lifting. “Complete trust.”
Not a command. Not quite a request either. Something steadier.
This was Ronan. Not … the others. They had no place here. None.
Taking a breath, she pushed the memories away and nodded.
“Thank you.” He tugged the shirt over her head and tossed it aside. His gazed roamed over her body, and she willed herself to stay still under his scrutiny. “You’re beautiful, Felicity.”
The quiet certainty in his voice dispelled the lingering whispers of doubt.
This, now … a moment to look back on and treasure when the darkness pressed in again.
His hands skimmed down her sides, slow and deliberate, as if committing every inch of her to memory. Maybe he was. Kneeling, he hooked his thumbs on the simple black boy shorts she wore and eased the last barrier away.
Felicity stood before him, completely exposed. Her breasts swelled with arousal, nipples tightening in response. Desire pooled between her thighs, her core pulsing with need. She craved this man in every way imaginable. To her surprise, she felt no shame. No fear. No need to close her eyes and pretend she was elsewhere. No need to take control and keep herself braced for what might come next.
Was this what it felt like to be loved?
Truly, impossibly loved?
He sat back on his heels, hands resting on his thighs, and looked up, his eyes holding hers captive — warm as the sun, steady, and unwavering. “More than beautiful … steal-my-breath perfection.”
Something deep pulled tight between them, ancient and unyielding, as though the world had narrowed to this single, inevitable moment.
