Page 108 of Third Strike Smitten

“I can feel you,” I confirm, my voice breaking. “I can feel every part of you.”

I’m overwhelmed by the intimacy of it all. The way he watches me, the way his tongue traces patterns on my skin, the way he whispers my name like a prayer.

My hands slide up his back, feeling the muscles flex beneath his skin as he moves. I pull him closer, needing to feel all of him, needing to erase any space between us.

“Killian,” I gasp, my fingers digging into his shoulders. “Please...”

“Please what, Coach?” he teases, his breath hot against my skin. “Tell me what you need.”

“I need...more. Harder. Please.”

He kisses the middle of my forehead. “As you wish.”

He obliges immediately, his thrusts becoming deeper, more forceful. The headboard begins to knock against the wall, creating a rhythm that matches the pounding of my heart. Each time he drives into me, I feel the cool metal of his piercings pressing against spots that make me see stars.

“You feel so fucking perfect,” Killian groans, his voice rough with need. “So tight. So warm. God, Isla...”

I can only moan in response, my body arching to meet his thrusts as a white-hot heat threatens to explode inside me.

“Killian,” I cry, my voice breaking as he shifts his angle, hitting a spot that makes my vision blur. “Oh, God! Don’t stop.”

“I won’t,” he promises, his breath hot against my ear. “I’ll never stop. You’re mine, Isla Fallon. I’ll give you this pleasure every single fucking day if it’s what you want. I’ll give you everything.”

The intensity builds with each thrust, and I know I won’t last much longer. “I’m going to come, Killian,” I pant. “Oh, fuck! I’m coming!”

“Look at me, Isla,” Killian commands, his voice rough with emotion. “I want to see you when you come.”

I force my eyes open, meeting his gaze. This isn’t just physical pleasure anymore. It’s something so much deeper, so much more meaningful.

“I love you,” he whispers, the words a prayer against my lips. “I love you so fucking much.”

The words push me over the edge and my orgasm crashes through me with devastating force, stealing my breath and making my body convulse around him. “Killian!”

“Fuck. Oh, fuck, Isla…” Killian’s rhythm falters, his own release following moments later as he buries himself deep inside me with a broken cry of my name.

For long moments, we stay locked together, our bodies trembling with aftershocks. My arms wrap around him, holding him close as our breathing gradually slows. His weight is warm and comforting against me, his skin slick with sweat. I can feel him still inside me, his heartbeat pulsing against my most intimate places.

Killian shifts slightly, his hand coming up to cup my cheek, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw. “You okay?”

I nod, not trusting my voice. My throat is tight with emotion, my eyes burning with unshed tears. This is real. This is happening. This man loves me, and I’m too terrified to love him back.

“Yeah,” I finally tell him. “I’m perfect.”

My words might not be an absolute truth, but Killian Haynes loves me, so the very least I can do is give him this night.

This intimate moment between us that meant more to me than he could ever know.

A moment to feel comforted by his love and peace in the safety of his arms.

It’s the least I can do.

For now.

23

KILLIAN

Loving someone who’s afraid to love you back means you have to learn to read the silences between their words.