“Hey,” Cassian says, bringing me out of my thoughts and into the present. “You’re mine.” It’s a promise I know he’ll forever remind me of because once he’s convinced himself of something, there’s no stopping him or changing his mind. “I love you, Kalyn, more than anything in this world.” His admission fills my heart with warmth and clogs my throat with emotion.
“I know because I love you too, Cassian.” A smile dances on my lips when he slides out, then slams back in, stealing my breath, forcing a gasp of need to fall from my lips. He does it again, then again, and by the fourth time, my body is shaking.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispers against my lips. “So, fucking beautiful, it hurts to look at you.” His words are a balm to my soul. I spent too long listening to a man who was happy to tell me how inadequate I was. Paulo convinced me I was worth nothing. Only when I was high did he ever want me.
“Cassian, please make me forget,” I plead, my hands cupping his cheeks, holding him steady as he stares at me. There’s no need for more words because our bodies move in sync. Cassian’s hips move back before we connect once more. The way he stretches me, opens me for his cock, has my toes curling and my nails scraping down his back until I hear him hiss.
“Fuck, little liar,” he growls, his lips brushing along mine as his tongue darts out and teases along the seam of my mouth. “I’m going to fill you up,” he promises, causing my back to arch.
“Do it, please,” I beg. It’s like heaven. It’s almost as if I’m high, but this time, it’s a healthier drug than any I’ve taken before. This time, the high that tastes far too sweet is love.
Cassian fucks me then—hard and unrelenting.
My nails dig into his shoulders. His hot breath tickles my lips, and he steals them with a kiss that deepens with every drive of his hips. Our bodies are fluid, joined so closely, we’re one person. The pleasure that courses through me is indescribable, and the moment Cassian bites down on my lower lip, tugging the flesh toward him, the sting of pain sends me soaring over the edge, and I cry out his name.
The mumbled sound is nothing more than a moan of happiness. He throbs, his hips slamming into me, and a rumble of feral pleasure vibrates against me when I feel him pulse inside me; the warmth of his release causes me to shatter once more, and I know we’re forever bound.
Not only by pleasure.
But by love.
Epilogue
Kalyn
Four months later
It’s been a long while since I’ve felt true happiness.
And Cassian’s given me that emotion.
He’s gifted me with something I never thought I’d have again—a family.
But even though the sun is once again shining in my life, there is a dark cloud that seems to hang around. This time, it’s my father. The table is set for eight—me, Cass, Finn, their dad and his wife, my mom, Damien and Nesrin.
A month ago, I said goodbye to Dad, and they were all there to hold me. To support me. And I’d never felt more loved in times of heartache than I did that day. Even my mother was astounded at the affection we received.
I got to say goodbye, face-to-face when he came home to Thorne Haven. He went to sleep one night and didn’t wake up. Usually, I would deal with the pain by getting high, but that’s in the past.
I gaze at each face around the table, and I remind myself I am loved. It’s not easy letting go of an addiction, even when you’re happy and cared for. And every day is a battle, a moment where I could fall back into the same pattern, where I could choose a high instead of facing my demons. But so far, I’ve been strong.
Cassian’s hand grips my thigh, and he offers a reassuring squeeze, catching my attention. His eyes burn through me, and I smile.
“Are you okay?” he whispers in my ear, and I nod.
Looking into the eyes that have forever saved me, I smile. “Yeah, I am.” And it’s the truth. I’ve been going to therapy and focusing on healing myself. When I told Doctor Ulrich I needed help, I meant it. Cassian’s been beside me every step of the way. After spending a month in and out of the hospital, I’ve learned to focus my pain and talk it out rather than keeping it bottled in.
In the past, I wouldn’t tell anyone how I was feeling, not even Cassian, but now, it’s the first thing I do. We even have time set aside to talk every night, and Cass lets me get everything out.
He offers me an affectionate grin that has my heart filling with love. “He will always watch over you. I know it’s hard, especially with Christmas and the holidays, but we’re here,” he tells me, his hand holding mine before he brings it to his lips and places a soft kiss on my knuckles.