Page 86 of Merciless King

Piper holds my gaze, her blue eyes fierce and unwavering. "Even then. I'm not going to pretend it doesn't scare me sometimes. But I know the man you are, Elio. The father you are. And that's the man I love, the man I choose."

I capture her lips with mine. I pour every ounce of my love, my devotion, into the kiss. Piper responds with equal fervor, her hands sliding into my hair to hold me close.

When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against hers, breathing heavily. "I love you, Piper. You and Elysse are my entire world."

She smiles. "I trust you, Elio. With my life, with our daughter's life. With my heart."

I pull her into my arms, holding her close as we sink back down onto the bed. “I can’t tell you how much I needed to hear that.”

“Maybe you can show me.”

I smile as my heart, on the verge of cracking apart since the moment I heard Gabriel had Elysse, begins to mend. “I’ll do my best.”

I take my time touching her, exposing and caressing her soft skin as I undress her. I kiss her languidly, wanting to draw this moment out forever.

She pushes me back, her own hands sliding over me, touching me like she’s wanting to reacquaint herself with me. She settles over my thighs, and I lever up, cupping her tits, rubbing my thumbs over the hard, pink nipples.

She gasps, and it’s beautiful.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come looking for you eight years ago,” I say. The guilt of that mistake will haunt me forever. To think of all I’ve missed. To think if I’d hunted her down, she’d never have been subjected to Gabriel’s battery.

“Like you said. That’s the past. Let’s just move forward, Elio. Can we?”

I nod as I guide her hips over me. “We can. We will.” I ease her down, her body surrounding my dick, embracing it.

She lets out a sigh as she wraps her arms around me. “Starting now.”

“Starting now,” I agree.

Words are lost as we give in to sensation. The pure love radiating between us. The glorious sensations of my body joined with hers. It’s beyond perfection.

I roll her under me, pushing her knees up so she can open more, so I can sink in deeper. I want to be a part of her. Not just her body, but her very soul.

Her legs hook around me. Her body moves with mine. I take her hands, gripping them in mine as I dip down and kiss her. We are connected deeper than ever before. My heart has always been hers, but now I’m sure hers is mine too.

“Elio.” She arches back, exposing her long, graceful neck. I lean over, gently sucking, not caring if I leave a mark.

“Yes, baby. What do you need?” I shift, wanting to make sure I’m reaching all her most erotic parts.

“Oh!” Her body goes taut. “I love you… I love you.” She comes apart chanting the words I’ve always wanted to hear.

“I love you…” I want to say more. To ask for a lifetime. But my orgasm crashes into me, consuming me. I hold on, hoping she can feel my love, my intention to love her forever.

33

PIPER

Two weeks after Gabriel’s death, I move through Elysse's room at our old home, gathering her favorite toys, books, and clothes. My mind wanders as I pack, the events of the past few weeks still raw and surreal. It's hard to believe that Gabriel is gone, just as it’s amazing that Elio came back into my life and we're finally getting the chance at the future he promised me so long ago.

My gaze drifts to the window, taking in the well-manicured lawn and the grand exterior of the house I once shared with Gabriel. It's a beautiful home, but it holds so many painful memories. The bruises may have faded, but the emotional scars remain.

As I tape up another box, I wonder what I should do with this place and all of Gabriel's assets he’s left me. I’ve arranged to have most of his things shipped to his parents in New York. They didn’t seem shocked to hear about his demise. It makes me wonder if he’d been mercurial and volatile as a child. How had he hidden it from me until after we married? Why hadn’t they warned me?

As far as the house and his other assets, a part of me wants to sell everything, to rid myself of any reminder of the man who made my life a living hell. But another part of me hesitates, knowing that the money from the sale could provide a solid foundation for Elysse's future.

Elio has assured me that money isn’t an issue. Considering the house he lives in, I’m sure he’s telling the truth. But I have some reservations about being completely dependent on him. It has nothing to do with not trusting him. I need the security of knowing I can take care of myself.

I sigh, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The decision about Gabriel’s home and assets is a decision I'll have to make soon, but for now, my focus is on getting Elysse settled into our new life with Elio. I want her to feel safe, loved, and cherished—everything I never had with Gabriel.