I don’t think I breathe as she stands there looking at me and thinking about what I just said. Then, almost at once, she crashes into my arms. Everyone around us starts to cheer and clap.
I wrap Belle in my arms and kiss her like it’s been a hundred years since I’ve last been able to take her mouth. When we finally break apart, I keep her in my arms, lifting her off the ground and holding her tight. I catch E-Z's eyes from across the room. I can see the envy on his face. I smile at him. Everyone should envy me.
I have Belle and she’s everything.
CHAPTER 44
KILLIAN
After such an emotional day, it sucks that I have to have this conversation with Belle. It’s so wild to me that I’ve gone from blaming her for not pulling out of the deal with her father to needing her to breathe. I wanted to take out my anger on her. I couldn’t get further revenge on her father, so it was going to be her. Somehow, I’ve gone from that to recognizing that this mess has given me the best gift I’ll ever receive in my life.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, turning over on her back to look at me.
“What do you mean?” I bluff. Honestly, I’m just not ready for the conversation that’s to come.
“You’re so tense you’re vibrating with it, Killian,” she whispers, looking up at me, her face soft.
God, I love her.
"I go back to prison tomorrow, little one." I decide just to get it out there. What I don’t do is hide the regret and pain in my voice. She needs to know that the last thing I want to do is leave her. Belle tries to hide her face from me when she can't stop the tears from rolling down her face. "Please don't cry, Belle,” I whisper, her sadness hurting me. I wipe her tears gently and force her to look at me. "Ryan says the governor promised him that the pardon is a done deal, even before the added pressure from the Bratva getting involved. It will happen soon, and we will never look back."
"I don't want to let you go. I need you." Her voice sounds small and defeated.
"Leaving you is the last thing I want to do, but I need to make sure that this goes off without a hitch. My pardon can’t happen if I'm not actually serving my time in jail, honey."
"Fine. If that's the way it is, then you need to make love to me, Killian," she demands adamantly, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.
I stubbornly refuse, shaking my head no immediately.
"You're not even healed all the way. I could hurt you," I explain. It kills me because I want her like crazy. I refuse to risk hurting her, though.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little sore. You can be gentle, and I'm sure inventive. I have faith in you," she argues, wiggling her soft sexy body into mine. That’s almost my undoing. It’s hard to resist her when she’s pressed up next to me and adamant that she wants me as much as I want her.
"You're still a virgin, baby. What do you know of inventive?" I joke, grinning down at her. She’s beautiful and she’s smiling at me. I concentrate on that instead of the tears that are still glowing in her eyes.
"I might not, but I have a husband that will guide me through it," she murmurs. And just like that, the hold I had on my restraint snaps like a taut rubber band.
I kiss her hard, my tongue tangling with hers, asserting dominance. Belle follows my lead, giving into me at once and giving me the control that I need. Hunger and need become a living thing, surging through me until having her is all I can think about. I move over her, careful not to put any weight on her body. I don't like the idea that this might hurt her. Losing her virginity will be slightly uncomfortable, but I will feel like an asshole if I inflict pain because she’s not healed. I’m weak for giving in, but her need is written all over face.
We’re in this together.
I settle between her legs and look at her. I run my hands gently up her sides, taking her pajama top with them, tossing it away. Her dark nipples pebble as the cool air kisses her skin. I lean down, pulling one into my mouth. I’m instantly rewarded with her moan and her sweet fingers tangling into my hair, pulling me to her. I cup the other one, the warm, ivory flesh filling my hand with the softest weight I’ve ever known. I massage it, squeeze it gently, feeling something settle deep inside of me. It’s as if a final piece just clicks into place.