Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

He motions at the corner of the room where the metallic box rests on the table. “Elle and I could’ve gone with you.”

“I wasn’t thinking clearly. If I knew I would be attacked, I wouldn’t have done it.”

A harsh breath leaves his lips. “I thought something happened to you. I thought you wanted to fucking die, Zoe.”

I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his hard chest. He smells of cloves and scotch and safety. I never felt so whole as much as I do with Shadow.

He’s a killer but his arms are the safest place to be.

“I don’t want to die, Shadow. I was living for the wrong reasons before but now I’m not.”

He searches my face with his inquisitive, piercing gaze. “Sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“You know I’m crazy enough to follow you to hell and torment you there, right?”

I laugh and nuzzle my nose along his neck. “I sure do.”

“I mean it. I hold a grudge, beautiful.”

My tongue darts out and I lick the pulse point in his throat before I bite hard until his muscles tense. I whisper against his ear, “Then what are you going to do about this?”

He grunts and closes his eyes for the briefest second as if summoning control. “Don’t fucking push me. You’re injured.”

I nibble along his neck with slow kisses and gentle bites. My fingers roam underneath his T-shirt until I’m stroking his hard skin.

Touching him has become a need like breathing air. After the attack, all I care about is to be with Shadow. I need his warmth. His intensity. All of it.

I latch on his belt and pull down his trousers and boxer briefs until his erection springs free. With a deep breath, I drop to my knees in front of him. The scrapes burn, but I pay them no attention.

“Zoe…” Shadow trails off then sucks in a breath when I curl my hands around his hard, pulsing cock in my hands. “Fuck, beautiful.”

“You’re the only person I’ll get on my knees for.” I lick my lips and take him in my mouth.

He grunts as I cup his balls and continue licking and sucking him. His fingers thread in my hair, far from my injury. I work him harder and faster. My arousal matches the lusty look on his face, but I don’t attempt to touch myself.

This is about him.

More than the physical connection, I want to show him I’m grateful for having him in my life. For the gift he left inside my womb. For saving us today.

I don’t want to think about what would’ve happened if he didn’t find us.

Shadow’s fingers thread in my hair harsher, then he drops it, probably remembering the injury. Instead, he thrust his hips forward.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He grunts as he fucks my mouth and hits the back of my throat, and my gag reflex shoots. My eyes fill with tears and I cease breathing. He pulls back, giving me some control before he’s at it again.

When I feel him close, I fasten my pace. However, Shadow slides out from my mouth.

“What…?” I pant for breath as I lick my lips, chasing the remains of his taste.

“I love your mouth, beautiful, but I want to come inside you.” He pulls me up by the arm and places me on the bed. I gasp when he yanks my robe up and rips my undies off.

I cry out when he slams inside me in one long thrust. I’m already wet so I don’t even need time to adjust. I thought he was on the edge, but it turns out I am the one who’s craving.

“You’re not leaving without telling me again,” he announces as he pounds harder.

“Shadow…” He bites my pebbled nipple through the cloth. “Oh, God.”

“Do you know how fucking worried I was?” The harsh but caring expression on his face undoes me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper against his mouth then press my lips to his and slide my tongue up and down until he opens up. He fucks my mouth as hard as he fucks me.

The orgasm is so overwhelming that I almost black out.

He spills inside me with a violence that nearly drives me over the edge again.

I’m well and truly spent when he carries me in his arms and into the bathroom. He holds me against him while he checks the water’s temperature and runs a bath.

“How did you find me?” I ask, my eyes already drooping.

“The necklace has GPS.” Shadow doesn’t sound or look the least bit apologetic that he attached a tracker on me without my knowledge.

When I remain silent, he says, “Do you have a problem with it?”

I probably should, but if he didn’t have the tracker, he might not have found us in time. I’m thankful for that tracker so I shake my head.

“Good, because I’m never losing sight of you after the stunt you pulled when you ran away.”

He doesn’t trust me. Or at least he doesn’t trust that I’ll stay with him. If only he knew how much I’m craving more and how much I need a full life with him.

The bathtub is big so he sits up and I snuggle between his legs, my head leaning back against his chest.

The cool water doesn’t sting my injuries much. Aaron must’ve applied waterproof plasters.

A heavy sigh leaves me and I start drifting. It’s dangerous to sleep in a bathtub, but I have no doubt that Shadow will keep me safe.

It’s crazy that I used to think he’s a monster and ran as fast as I could. Now I realise I’ve been running away from myself.