Page 135 of Hades

“Shh.” I kissed her. Soft. Gentle. “Let me take care of you.”

I undressed her slowly. Reverently. When she was naked, I guided her to the bed and laid her down.

Golden hair spread across the pillow. Pale skin. Curves and softness and strength.

Mine.

I stripped off my own clothes. Watched as her eyes tracked over my body, cataloging the scars, the ink. The evidence of violence.

She didn’t flinch.

I climbed onto the bed and settled between her legs, kissing her deeply.

This wasn’t like before. Wasn’t rough or possessive or desperate.

This was trust.

I kissed down her neck to her collarbone. Took my time in the valley between her breasts, letting my hands map every inch of her skin.

She arched into my touch. Her breath coming faster.

“Brock,” she whispered.

“I’ve got you, baby.”

I moved lower. Kissed her stomach. Her hip. The inside of her thigh.

She trembled beneath me.

I looked up at her, holding her gaze. “You’re safe with me. You know that, right?”

She nodded.

“Say it.”

“I’m safe with you.”

“Damn right you are.”

I lowered my mouth to taste her, feeling her hands fist in my hair.

I took my time and made her come twice before I moved back up her body and positioned myself at her entrance.

“Look at me,” I said.

She did.

I pushed inside. Slow. Steady. Watching her face.

Her eyes fluttered closed.

“No,” I said. “Eyes on me.”

She opened them.

I started to move. Long, deep strokes. Nothing rushed. Nothing frantic.

Just us.