The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(52)

He kissed me, his lips tender against mine, and started to move. I welcomed him body and soul, losing myself in the moment, caught in a breathtaking maelstrom of desire and love. There was no room for anyone else, no place for what the future held. It was just the two of us, together again, a rightness and completion that could only be found in each other.

We moved in harmony, our hips meeting as he brought us together, withdrew, and returned. His skin was cool, easing the flush that spread through me. I moaned into his mouth, trembling as he increased the tempo. He slid in and out of my body, using slow and steady strokes, the width of his cock rubbing all the right places inside me. Flesh met flesh, his shaft spearing into me harder and faster. The warmth in my belly spread, building in intensity.

“Forever mine,” Disco breathed and dipped his head to nuzzle my neck. “I’ll never let you go.”

“Yes,” I murmured, held onto his shoulders, and dragged my nails along his back. The mark flared between us, our emotions becoming one. I belonged to him, just as he belonged to me. The tragedies that tore us apart only strengthened our bond, the love we felt for each other.

He angled his body so that he rubbed my clit with each thrust, and I bucked my hips when a climax swept through me. My muscles flexed, going tight, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I felt weightless and free, floating in sexual ecstasy. My sex clasped and released his cock, urging him to succumb to pleasure with me so we could enjoy the moment together.

A swift plunge into my body, and I felt the chilled wetness where we were joined, his length jerking as he climaxed. He groaned as he came but didn’t stop moving, plunging into me as if he was branding me forever, so I would never forget who he was and what he meant to me. When he stilled, he remained buried inside me and blanketed my body with his. Our soft exhales merged, the only sounds in the otherwise quiet room. I lifted a hand and slid my fingers through his hair, combing through the silken strands.

“No matter what happens, they can’t take this from us,” I said, knowing through our bond that he was terrified of what was to come. Not for himself, but for me. Despite the fact we had made our peace, the unknown lingered beyond our sight, something we could perceive but not predict.

Disco rose on his elbows and gazed down. “We’ll face whatever comes together.”


The moment wasn’t shattered, not by a long shot, but the harsh reality of our situation returned. “I want you to promise me something.”


I could tell by the way he frowned he knew what I was going to ask, and he didn’t like it. Of course, I didn’t expect anything less. He had sworn he would always protect and keep me safe. But he couldn’t do those things now. I had made my bed, and it was time to sleep in it. Marius’s concern when he’d confronted Disco terrified me. If Disco did anything to bring attention to himself, Revenald would kill him. I knew it. I had recognized it when Marius had pleaded with Disco to keep a level head.

“I won’t allow you to stand alone.”

“I can’t do this if I know you’ll be hurt.”

“I won’t make a promise I can’t keep.” His misery was mine, shared through the mark he’d given me.

“If you don’t, I won’t be able to do this.” I was grateful he could feel my resolve, my determination to do what had to be done if only to ensure we’d make it out of the hell that awaited us alive. “I’m stronger than you think. You’re going to have to trust me.”

“It’s not a matter of trust.” I hated seeing him so distraught. It chipped at my heart when he whispered, “I want to protect you, but I can’t.”

“Then be there for me. Wait until it’s over, come to me, and remind me that the world isn’t a place to hate.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to.” A muscle in his jaw spasmed, his golden-blue irises revealing his anger. “I don’t know what’s coming.”

A true statement for both of us. Yet I knew it was senseless to worry about things beyond our control. “We’ll cross any bridges when we come to them. As long as we have each other, the rest doesn’t matter. Promise me that you won’t do anything stupid. Promise me that you’ll be waiting for me when I need you most.”

“I can’t.”

“I didn’t think I could forgive you,” I said solemnly, hating to dredge up the past, “but I did. We’re capable of doing things when they’re important. Give me your word. I need to know that you’ll be waiting for me. That I have something to look forward to. Promise me.”

Several seconds passed, but finally he gave me what I wanted. “I promise.”

“We need to talk to Paine.” I ran my hand along his shoulder, fingers teasing his skin. “If we’re going to survive this, we have to be on the same page.”

“You’re going to expect him to make the same promise.” There was no jealousy in the statement, only sadness.

I nodded, continuing to touch him, needing the connection. “I can’t take care of myself if I’m worried about the two of you. If my mind is somewhere else, I’ll be distracted.” I lifted a hand and rested it against his cheek, forcing him to look me in the eye. “You know how dangerous this will be. It’s the only way.”

“You know I love you. Don’t forget that.” He turned his head and pressed a kiss to my palm, whispering, “Please.”