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As they came down from their shared high, his forehead rested against hers, their ragged breaths mingling in the scant space between them. Her hands roamed his back, soothing the taut muscles there. She felt the rapid beating of his heart against her chest, matching her frantic rhythm.
Pierce pulled back slightly, his intense gaze searching her face. His hands came up to frame her cheeks, thumbs gentlystroking her flushed skin. In the dim light, she saw a myriad of emotions flicker across his features—vulnerability, wonder, and something deeper that made her breath catch.
“You okay?” he mouthed.
Rhiannon nodded, a soft smile curving her lips. “More than okay.”
He shifted, carefully withdrawing from her body, and Rhiannon had to bite back a whimper at the loss. Pierce gathered her close, tucking her against his side as if he couldn’t bear to be parted from her. His fingers traced abstract patterns on her skin, sending pleasant shivers down her spine.
In the quiet aftermath, reality began to seep back in. Rhiannon knew they should talk and address the seismic shift in their relationship. But for now, she was content to bask in the warmth of Pierce’s embrace, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her ear.
Pierce’s hand moved to her hair, gently combing through the silky strands. The tender gesture made Rhiannon’s heart ache with a bittersweet longing. She knew this moment of peace was fleeting, a stolen respite from the dangers that lurked beyond these walls.
As if sensing her thoughts, Pierce’s body tensed slightly. His fingers stilled in her hair, and she felt his chest rise with a deep breath. Rhiannon tilted her head to meet his gaze, finding his hazel eyes clouded with concern.
With practiced ease, Pierce’s hands began to move, forming the familiar shapes of ASL.“We should talk.”
Rhiannon nodded, pushing herself up to a sitting position. The sheet pooled around her waist as she faced him, suddenly feeling exposed in a way that had nothing to do with her nakedness. “I know.”
Pierce’s eyes roamed her face, searching for something. His hand came up, thumb brushing across her cheekbone ina feather-light caress. The tenderness of the gesture made Rhiannon’s breath catch.
“This changes things,”he signed.
Rhiannon swallowed hard, fighting against the lump forming in her throat. “Does it have to?” she asked, even as she knew the answer.
Pierce’s jaw clenched.“Your brother is not going to like this. Us.”
“Oh, fuck Rylan.”
Her outburst made his eyes pop open wide in surprise. Then, a smile twitched over his lips as one hand skimmed the side of her breast.“I’d rather fuck you again.”
Her gaze dropped to his cock, which was already lengthening for a second round. “And I want you to—later. But right now, we’re talking this out, remember? Tell me why you’re really scared of a relationship with me. And don’t say my brother.”
Pierce’s smile faded, his expression growing serious once more. He signed,“Rhia, it isn’t just about Rylan. Yeah, I don’t want to betray his trust. He’s my friend, and I respect him. But I’d do it in a heartbeat for you.”
“Then why are you trying to push me away?”
“Because being with me… it’s dangerous. I live in a constant state of paranoia.”
“Because of Tectra-X.” A statement, not a question.
“I wish I’d never heard of the fucking thing.”His jaw clenched, and a dark shadow passed over his features.“Because of Tectra-X, because of Halston, because of my past. I have so many enemies, Rhia. Powerful ones. And they won’t hesitate to use you against me if they find out how much you mean to me. I refuse to put you in that kind of danger.”
“Hey.” She reached out and took his hands in hers, stilling their movement. “We’ve already survived the unsurvivable together. We got this.”
His eyes softened as he gazed at their joined hands. He squeezed her fingers gently before pulling away to sign.“We should get some sleep.”
Of course, he was changing the subject. Stubborn man. But she let it slide for now because he was right. They needed sleep. She was exhausted, and the orgasms he’d given her had only added to the haze of fatigue.
He got off the bed to pull back the covers and motioned for her to slide between them. As soon as he climbed back in, she snuggled against his side. His arms came around in her a tight hug, his lips brushing her temple.
“We’re not done talking about this,” she said around a yawn.
He didn’t reply, but she felt his lips curve into a smile at the side of her head. He stroked her hair. In the morning, she’d realize he was manipulating her into falling asleep, but at the moment, it felt so good she didn’t care. Her eyes closed, and she drifted away.
chapter
twenty-two
