Adrian's heart damn near exploded when Elara tilted her head, lips curved in that dangerous little smile, and asked if they should go. He didn't even try to hide his reaction. His body was already taut, already burning with the promise of her words.
He shot up so fast he nearly knocked over his chair. "Hell yes," he rasped, his voice raw with need. He bent to press his mouth to her throat, whispering against her skin, "You have no idea what you just started."
Her laugh was low, breathless, like she was daring him to catch fire. She tugged him down the hall, past the soft hum of Gavin's monitor. Every step felt like a line he couldn't uncross, every heartbeat louder than the rain outside. When they reached the door next to the nursery, Elara pushed it open, pulled him in, and shoved him gently onto the bed.
He went willingly, his back hitting the mattress with a thud. His breath came ragged as he stared up at her, hair mussed, chest heaving. "You're a damn tease," he muttered, voice hoarse with hunger. "If I weren't holding myself together by a thread, I'd already be tearing your clothes off."
She silenced him with a kiss—deep, messy, a clash of teeth and tongues. Then her hands moved, deliberate and slow, unbuttoning his shirt one catch at a time. Each flick of her fingers seared through him, until the fabric slid off his shoulders and left him bare to her gaze.
"You're gonna be the death of me," he growled, pulling back only to drag her into his lap. His hands clamped onto her hips, holding her steady, his eyes so dark they barely reflected the lamp glow.
Elara smirked, then rose just enough to peel her dress off over her head. The fabric dropped to the floor. She was glorious—curves fuller, breasts heavier from motherhood, hips a little rounder. But her stomach still flat, her body still honed, beautiful in ways that knocked the air out of him.
Adrian swore under his breath. "Goddamn... you're more beautiful than I remembered. No—more beautiful because of this. You carried my son. You're everything."
"Shut up," she teased, lowering herself until her bare folds brushed against his hardened length. The heat of her made him choke out a broken sound. She kissed him again, swallowing his groan, rocking her hips so that her slit rubbed against his tip in agonizing strokes.
He bucked against her instinctively, his hands clutching at her waist. "Rae..." his voice cracked, thick with need. "You're gonna kill me."
"Then die," she whispered against his mouth. "Die loving me."
He flipped them suddenly, pinning her to the mattress with a feral growl. His mouth crashed against her neck, biting down just enough to make her gasp. His hands mapped every inch of her body, possessive, hungry.
"Mine," he snarled against her skin, his breath hot, his beard scraping her throat. "All of you. You hear me?"
Her moan was soft, helpless. "Yes..."
He froze, shuddering, then pressed harder into her. "Say my name. Say it like I'm the only one who exists."
"Adrian..." she breathed, her back arching, her thighs parting.
That sound undid him. He kissed down her chest, his tongue circling a nipple before sucking hard enough to make her cry out. "Again," he demanded, his voice ragged.
"Adrian!"
He groaned deep in his chest, teeth grazing her sensitive peak. His hands roamed lower, sliding down her stomach, fingers brushing the wet heat between her thighs. He could feel how ready she was for him—slick, soft, open.
"God, you're soaked," he rasped, dragging his fingers through her slit before pressing his tip against her entrance. His entire body trembled with restraint. "You sure you can handle me if I let go?"
Her eyes locked on his, blazing. "Try me."
His control snapped. With a guttural growl, he drove into her in one long, merciless thrust, burying himself to the hilt. Her cry tore through the room, her nails raking down his back.
"Fuck..." he gasped, forehead pressed to hers, his chest heaving. "Tighter than I remembered. So goddamn perfect."
She wrapped her legs around his waist, dragging him deeper. "Don't talk. Move."
He obeyed, hips slamming into hers in a rhythm that made the bed creak, every thrust shaking through both of them. His length slid into her core over and over, stretching her, filling her, claiming her.
"Adrian... faster," she moaned, her voice breaking on the demand.
He groaned, his pace quickening, his thrusts harder, deeper, merciless. "You want it rough? You've got it."
"Yes—fuck—yes!"
Her voice shattered him. He buried his face in her neck, panting, biting at her skin as he pounded into her. "Say my name again," he demanded, his words broken against her pulse.
"Adrian!"
Her scream ripped through the storm, raw and beautiful. His hips slammed harder, his hands gripping her wrists and pinning them above her head, dominance radiating through every movement.
"You're mine," he growled, teeth gritted, sweat slicking his back. "Say it. Say you're mine."
"I'm yours!" she cried out, tears pricking her eyes with the intensity of it all. "Always yours!"
His rhythm faltered for a moment as her words hit him like lightning. His chest burned, his throat tight, but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop. He thrust deeper, harder, as if carving the promise into her body.
"I love you," he gasped, his voice breaking. "Goddamn it, I love you."
"Then show me," she begged. "Fill me. Make me yours."
Her words snapped the last thread of control he had. With a guttural curse, he pounded into her with reckless abandon, his length sliding in and out of her soaked core, each thrust driving her higher. She writhed beneath him, moaning his name again and again like a prayer.
"Adrian—ah—Adrian!"
Her climax hit like a storm breaking, her whole body arching, trembling as she screamed his name. Her walls clamped down around him, pulling him into her deeper, tighter, harder.
"Fuck—yes," he choked, his face buried in her neck. "Come for me, love. Let me feel you."
She shattered around him, sobbing his name. The sensation dragged him over the edge, his thrusts turning frantic as his release tore through him. With a broken growl, he spilled deep inside her, hot and unrelenting, filling her core until it overflowed.
His body shook violently as he collapsed against her, still buried inside, their chests heaving together. Sweat slicked their skin, the air thick with heat and salt and storm.
"You're mine," he whispered hoarsely against her lips. "Always."
She cupped his face, kissing him softly through the wreckage of passion. "I love you, Adrian."
The words gutted him. He kissed her again, slower this time, reverent. "I love you too. More than anything."
—
They lay tangled for a long time, the storm outside finally easing to silence. His seed still warmed her, her body trembling with aftershocks. He pressed kisses across her collarbone, whispering nonsense, grounding himself in her.
Then she tilted her head, a sly smile tugging her lips. "More, baby?"
He froze, his heart skipping. "Elara..."
"Impregnate me," she murmured, tracing his jaw with her fingers. "Let's make another pretty baby."
He groaned, his forehead pressing to hers, half-laughing, half-breaking. "You're insane." But his hands were already roaming again, his length twitching inside her as he hardened once more.
Her grin widened. "Then don't stop."
And he didn't. Not that night. Not until dawn broke, their bodies spent, their love sealed again and again in sweat and heat and whispered vows.
—
By morning, Elara slept curled against his chest, her breathing soft, her hand resting over his heart. Gavin stirred in the crib next door, and Adrian slipped quietly out of bed, dressing with slow, practiced motions.
He padded into the nursery, lifting his son into his arms. "Morning, little man," he whispered, brushing a kiss over Gavin's head. "Your mama's sleeping. We wore her out."
Gavin blinked up at him, yawned, and promptly tried to chew on his fist. Adrian laughed softly, rocking him gently.
For the first time in months, he felt whole.
For the first time in forever, he believed in tomorrow.