“I love you.” With a soft breath I lean over, stating this in his ear. Touching his warm, strong arm, I don’t know what more to say. I want to scream this room down demanding he wake up now but the nurse religiously tops up his medication to keep him sedated until his body is strong enough for him to leave. They know as soon as he is awake again, he will charge out of here whether he is up to it or not.
The past week has been one of the longest in my life and I’m no stranger to grueling tests. Thinking that the one man who has given me the strength to break from my sins and past is dead for over a day was excruciating and perhaps the punishment I deserve for putting him in such a dangerous situation. And then being thankful and grateful to discover he is alive sent my mind spiraling in a completely different direction to that of the day before. But once I could see with my own eyes that the man I love, albeit motionless and helpless in a bed, made me realize with all certainty that he is who I want, more than life itself.
Being released from hospital two days ago, I begged Seth to take me to Alex. There was no way I could return to my apartment, alone… I’m not even sure if I still own it or if Dimitri sold it. Being more afraid, though, of who could be around to take me back to Dimitri, if he was still alive, I was desperate to be with the man I trust more than anyone.
My hospital stay was eventless. Routine checks, nurses and doctors interrupting my sleep when I finally had fallen asleep with sheer exhaustion. Jules came to visit once Benjamin had told her I was up for visitors, as did Kameron and Seth. Liam had been the one to approach me, when my mother and brother gave me an hour to myself the second day of me being hospitalized, to let me know Alex had survived but was getting treatment someplace else for his gunshot wounds. He gave me no news on Dimitri.
Mother had left my hospital room with mixed emotions the day I explained to her about Grandmother, returning with Benjamin the next day to tell us both her side of the story. Ben was overwhelmed but also angry for being kept in the dark all these years. I didn’t expose my past six years of torture to them. That is no longer a part of my life that defines me, locking it away deep within, never to resurface. No matter what. After our trip down memory lane, I had a new appreciation for how mother could stay with my father all of those years, even when he exposed us to the most evil man. She couldn’t deny herself her one true love. Just as I was prepared to die for Alex and my family, to be with the one man who has quickly become my world, my existence, my everything, I understand the control love has on a person.
Love is unconditional.
Love can be imperfect.
Love is being brave.
Love can wreak havoc.
Love guides you.
True love is rare.
A gentle touch lands on my shoulder. “They are going to stop his sedatives today, bringing him back to the land of the living.” Jared’s voice is full of love for his cousin. “We are lucky we didn’t lose him.”
“That is so true. I don’t even want to think about it. He’s here. He’s going to make a full recovery. We will make him take it slow.” My eyes never leave Alex. Reaching up, I place my spare hand on top of Jared’s. Hurting just as much as I am, if not more. I understand what this family means to each other. They are each other’s strength. Hurting as a group if any one of them is suffering in any way. Their bonds are indestructible. I pray he wants me to be a part of this world with him when he wakes up.
“Do you want to go in the next room to get some rest? You have been here since you were released from hospital.” The tender tone in his voice and the squeezing of my shoulder makes my head turn for a second away from Alex. “You need your strength too. You had a concussion, Isla. You have to take it easy.”
I am so lucky to have found this man and his family. Jared truly cares for me as well. I can hear and see it in his voice. “I can’t. I have to stay in case he wakes up.”
“The nurse said he will start waking up in a couple of hours. You have time.”
“I really can’t. He has risked everything for me, I won’t miss his eyes opening.” Slowly, I leave a worried Jared looking at me and rest my eyes back on Alex.
“You’re as stubborn as he is. He definitely wouldn’t have done this for any other person. The change in him, the determination, the degree of intensity when he is with you is something I haven’t witnessed before. You have awakened his ardor, his solidness and dominance, assisting him for his new role.” My body doesn’t move, understanding what role he is talking about. The one that scares the hell out of me. Not because of the job title, or description, but because of the danger it puts Alex in. No matter what Alex’s decision is, I will stand firm and proud by his side. Protecting him and loving him as best I can. “Have no doubt, Isla. You are special. I will leave you to it.”
Straightening my shoulders a little, I thank Jared for his concern and he leaves us in peace.
Hearing the words from his Uncle Stefano yesterday confirmed what Alex had told me about his family. Stefano and Benito explained in a very short, precise way that when Alex recovered, he would take the role of The Boss. It was his time and obligation. I accepted this would be a part of my life then and there. Worried beyond belief, I showed nothing but a steely exterior. Having lived so many years with an evil man, I knew Alex was different. He may become the head of his mafia family, but he would never put me in danger’s way willingly. Alex would never use me in the way Dimitri did. He would never kill or harm anyone without an extenuating reason. And the respect and loyalty of his family would shield us all from potential threats.
Laying my head on his firm stomach, my eyes close. My right hand drapes over his beating heart. Fuck… Please wake soon, my heaven, so we can get on with our lives… Together…
“Sweetness.” A groggy, but heavenly voice breaks the silence. Then it’s gone… Again. Maybe I was dreaming. My arm and body heavy, I’m out as well…
“Did you find him?” A whisper and a breath of air flows across my ear. I don’t move.
“Kolton’s still on it but there hasn’t been any sign of him.” I think it’s Liam who’s talking. My eyes stay sealed. A strong, tender hand runs through my messed up hair. Fuck I love his touch…
“We’ve located his two top men that entered the alley behind him. They are in the city morgue.” The voice raises beyond a whisper now. “The Russian bastard isn’t there.” Is that Jared or Seth? Holy Hell… Who else is in here? I didn’t do a very good job staying awake so I could be the first person to speak to Alex when he woke up.
“Sshh… Don’t wake her. She needs her rest. I have plans for her later.” A small snigger erupts through the room. I can’t wait. I want him now, but this may be the only way I find out about Dimitri.
“Has anyone heard from him? His associates, his partners, women? Has any of the men seen him at any of his usual locations? Jared, has any of the surveillance turned up anything on him?”
“There’s been nothing. It’s like he’s vanished in thin air. No one in the past week has seen or heard from him. Seth and I have asked around town and it’s all the same. They haven’t heard from him or his men.”
“What about the Gambril family? Are they alive?” His hand continues to stroke through my hair rhythmically, dipping to my neck, feather touching it, sending shivers across my skin.
“One of their men died but they are back doing their business plus Sokolov’s like nothing fucking happened.” Someone coughs. “Gambril says they haven’t seen him and I believe him. He has nothing to gain from hiding information from us. He wanted Sokolov gone us much as us.”
“Fuck… Why the hell can’t this motherfucker just die already?” His fingers firm on my head fractionally.
“He could be dead. He’s not the type of guy who will lay low for long. We will find him. His body, alive or dead, will turn up somewhere. And we will be ready, Boss.”
The hand caressing my head abandons it. His chest tightens. “Don’t you fucking start that shit too, Liam. I’m not taking over anything until I talk to Isla about it. If she’s not on board, then fuck it… I’m out. I’m not losing her to gain some title.”
“You don’t have a choice. Uncle is retiring and you’re it. You know they think you’ve put it off for long enough.”
It’s time to make it known I’m awake. Alex sounds exhausted. Stretching the arm flung over his rigid athletic body, I start to move and open my eyes slowly.
“We’ll finish this later. Get me more info.”
Trying to straighten my back, I roll my shoulders so I’m sitting up, wiping my eyes.
“Alex… Are you awake?” Blinking a number of times, my eyes adjust to the light room. “I wanted to be awake when you woke up. I can’t believe I was out cold. I’m so sorry.”
“Everything’s going to be okay. You’re here. I’m here. We’re together. Bring those lips close so I can feel them on mine.” Shuffling of chairs and feet can be heard. My legs are weak from being in a sitting position for hours. Extending them, I get the blood flowing back in them, looking around the room at the three huge bodies situated throughout the room.
“Morning, Isla. How are you feeling today?” Smiling, I nod at Seth.
Inclining my head, “Good now this one’s awake.”
“We will leave you two alone. Rest up, Isla. It sounds like he’s got some big plans for you.” Laughter fills the room. Liam man thumps Alex in his arm. Gently of course. Seth gives me a kiss on the cheek and Jared moves in and does the same before continuing on to shake Alex’s hand. Liam then blows a kiss in my direction, filing out of the room. Seth and Jared do the same, but not before looking at us both chuckling.
Men… Do they ever grow up?
My back was stiff… It wasn’t alone…
Drifting my fingers through her hair, feeling her head against my stomach, arm across my cock awakened all nerve cells within my body. My leg and shoulder radiating pain and talk of my uncle’s wishes still wasn’t enough to stop my dick from appreciating Isla Winters’ irresistible beauty and forgiveness.
“So… Your lips…” smirking, I keep talking to the bravest woman I have met, “have a date with mine.” Grabbing her unsuspecting wrist, I pull her toward me. I may be lying flat, but the strength flowing through my body is urgent. I’m hungry… For Isla Winters…
Gently laughing, fuck, it’s music to my ears hearing that graceful sound, she allows her body to move with my exertions.
Tentatively, her lips brush mine.
“You won’t break me, Isla. Nothing can break me when we are together.”
“But I might hurt you. I’ve already done enough damage to this solid, rock hard body. Involving you in my mess.” She tries to move away.
“I thought we were over this stage.”
She needs reminding quickly. Not letting her go again, my left hand fists its way around her head. My right hand grasps her chin so she can’t move her eyes from mine.
Pulling her toward me, I raise my body, crashing my lips to hers.
It’s messy.
It’s dire.
Our lips fighting each other.
Tongues sparring with each other, lips melting together, moving intensely, releasing anguish, fear, and passion that have kept us wanting to be a part of one another’s lives.
My hand grips her tightly still. Flowing through every cell of mine is Isla’s determination, warmth, and love. Heating me from within.
The red flush of her cheeks and her nails digging into my biceps gives away she is consumed by us. And how we are when we are together.
“Get up on me now. Take your panties off.” My demanding voice is soft but blunt. Thank Christ the first thing the nurse did was take my catheter out when I woke.
“Alex… No… You’re recovering.”
“Don’t make me repeat it. We need this.” Sighing, “I need this.”
A sparkle ignites in her violet eyes, sending me back to the first time we met. Her on her knees, looking up at me, unbeknownst to me and possibly her, seizing me entirely in that second. Fuck, she’s captivating.
Standing back from my clutches, her eyes never leave mine. Shimmying out of her floral panties, she twirls them around her fingers before they fly off onto the floor. A grin graces her lips.
Well, well. Looks like I may have my little vixen back.
Folding my arms behind my head, stretching the IV cord to its limit, watching intently at what she will do next.
Isla’s delicate fingers find my stiff package, beneath the thin white sheet. Licking her lips, Christ she is a force that catches me unaware every fucking time, rubbing my dick, she pulls down the sheer cover and lifts the ridiculous blue dress away, giving her access. Bending down, I know what she is up to.
“On top…Isla.” She’s not getting away with that stunt.
I need to fill her. She needs to feel all of me. Stretching her, pumping her. Refreshing her memory of us together.
Showing tenderness, Isla slides her toned legs over my stretched-out body, curling them underneath her as she straddles me, looking down to where we meet.
“Eye’s on mine. Don’t let them leave me.” How can this strong woman be so confident one second then the next so unsure of herself?
“I want to make certain I’m not sitting on your wound.”
“Get your pretty ass down, now. I don’t care about anything else.” Releasing my hands, I place them around her waist, to help guide her.
Shifting her weight so it’s above my length, she slowly drops onto my now rock hard dick. We both sigh in unison. This is our home. Our heaven…
Allowing her to close her eyes momentarily, fuck, I had to as well, I savor her warmth. I raise my hips, slowly giving her more. Filling her, stretching her. My thumb finds her clit while the other hand reaches for her pert nipple, tugging it, rolling it between my fingers, just how she enjoys it. She’s so fucking wet already. My thumb glides easily around her jewel and her hips involuntarily start to move.
“Fuck… I can’t tell you enough times how stunning you are.” My hands continue their onslaught, Isla’s moans increase. Her body relaxes back pushing her sumptuous breasts into my hands. She rises and falls over my shaft. Trying to raise my hips to meet hers has me realizing my limitations. The gunshot wound in the waist limits my full strength, allowing me to raise my hips marginally.
“You make me this way. It’s because of you. Only you…” Sweet and brave, her words hit me, spurring me on. The amount of pain I’m experiencing now, or whatever comes for us in the future, won’t stop me from always giving Isla my all.
Lifting my ass, drilling up into her slick, hot pussy faster, meeting her g-spot, heightening her euphoria sends shudders down my spine. I am going to combust and I want to take Isla with me. Burning with pure desire, together. This is what my idea of love is. Hungry for each other’s touch. Frenzied with passion, but also a slow burning fervor. Willing to do whatever is necessary to protect, giving the other person every sliver of yourself, just to see them smile.
I wanted to possess all of Isla, exactly like she possessed every part of me.
I want to be her redemption…
Wrapping my arm around her waist, fuck… the IV tube just ripped out…I don’t give it a second thought, drawing me forward, I bite her rosy nipple softly through the thin top. She bucks, but I can tell she is holding back, trying to alleviate the pressure she is putting on my wounds.
Pinching her clit and nipping her taut tit simultaneously electrifies her.
“Dear God… Oh… Alex…” muttering, Isla’s body straightens. I pursue ahead, her channel closing with force around my swollen length. Her mouth is open, leaning back, trying to get air in her lungs. I am relentless. Moving her hips, not giving her a chance to stop, I draw another orgasm from her.
“Fuck…” I’m not going to last much longer. Pulling her down on me, I rear up.
“No… Oh… Alex…Yes… Yes…”
Pulling back down, I thrust up and still. A growl escapes like some sort of wild beast. “Fucking hell…” Jerking, I move in and out a few more times, pumping her full of me. Her body lies languidly down on mine. My fingers twine through her ebony hair, moving up and down rhythmically with her heavy breaths.
Whispers of bliss vibrate against my chest.
I’m speechless…
This is it for me.
This is all I want.
It’s all I need.
It’s cheesy and corny as all hell. It’s something six months ago I didn’t take one second out of my busy schedule to think about.
But Isla, with me, is it…