“Are you okay?”
“I’m great. Hopefully, I’ll be even better in a minute.”
“Okay…” He dropped to his knee. In shock, she covered her mouth. “Oh god… Gunther…”
“You’re right. You are always right. It’s time for me to let go of everything and dial in to this…to us.” She nodded, tears trickling. “The guilt, resentment of my past, the hatred of all things I’ve done and have been witness to… No more. It stops right now. It’s time to focus on what you and I need and deserve. Love—two hearts healing together, becoming one. Strength—unfeigned by all the complications surrounding us. Courage—standing tall in the face of fear, telling it to fuck all the way off.” Cora giggled, making him smile. “Fucking hell, bird. You are the most amazing woman and lover…everything a man desires and needs. Can I just add a little notation here?”
“Sure… Go for it.”
“You give the best blow jobs in the world.”
She broke out in laughter. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. Seriously. No joke. Your mouth is…” He shook his head. “I had better stop. Okay… Back to this.” He cleared his throat and held her left hand. “Cora, honor me and be my wife.”
“Yes. Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!”
Gunther closed his eyes and tipped his head toward the ceiling. “Thank fuck.” Not that she wouldn’t have said yes, but there was always a thread of doubt weaving through his mind.
He leapt to his feet and pulled Cora so close, they might have become fused together forever. He grabbed her face with both hands, pressing his lips to hers. A few nips later, he kissed her with heavy desperation. Their tongues moved rhythmically, the sensual dance leaving them frantic. Nothing else mattered.
Pulling away for a quick breath, he asked, “The kids?”
“They should still be sleeping. Kate and Si were putting a puzzle together in her room.”
“We’ll have to be quiet, but…” He scooped her up, “I need to be in you, make you mine, mark my territory.”
“Please,” she begged breathlessly.
Gunther carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. Once through the door, he pushed it shut with his foot. Cora squealed when he dropped her on the bed.
“Shhh, bird,” he demanded, walking over and locking the door. “I don’t want the kids to interrupt.” He stalked back to the bed. “I’ll make love to you later, but right now,” he growled, leaning down and placing his face close to hers, “I need it rough. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes… I’ll take it however I can get it.”
He loomed over her, his powerful hands grasping his hips. Her gaze tracked to the bulge in his pants.
“Get on your hands and knees…now.”
With a smile, she rolled over and positioned herself as he commanded, adding a little teasing sway to her hips. She looked over her shoulder.
“I see you.” He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Sassy, sassy.”
He peeled off his shirt, then grabbed the hem of her skirt and threw it up over her back. Her cheeky, pink panties barely covered her ass. He gripped the waistband. “Fucking hell, these are so sexy, but say goodbye.”
“Bye.” She giggled.
Gunther ripped them off her body. “Ah, yes, that’s more like it.” He brushed his palm over one side, then spanked the other, leaving a dark red print. She screamed into the blanket.
The sound of his zipper, then his pants hitting the floor with a thud made her even more eager. When she felt his fingers touching and massaging her body, a moan broke through her lips.
“So wet for me,” he whispered, stroking himself.
Placing one foot next to her knee, one hand on her ass and the other holding on, he guided himself into her deep channel. He let go and thrust forward.
“Fuck, Cora…”
She panted as he began a pace she had never experienced before—quick, harsh, deep, unrelenting. The feel of his chilled hands wrapped around her hips, fingers digging in, made her feel like he would never let go.
Happy tears sprang to her eyes.
Tipping his face toward the ceiling, Gunther ground his teeth together as he quietly growled with each thrust. A shudder rolled through his body. He released her hips and leaned over her back, intertwining his arms with hers. Chomping down on her earlobe, he pounded into her. Her body shook and trembled underneath his weight.
“Come on… Come for me, beautiful,” he whispered.
“Oh god…,” she panted. Just before the orgasm rolled through her, he slapped a hand over her mouth, muffling her screams.
Once she calmed, he stood straight, pulling out. “Roll over.” Doing as he commanded, she stared up at him. “I want to look into your eyes when I come.”
She swallowed hard and reached for him. He crawled onto the bed and settled between her soft, creamy thighs. As he sank in, he held her gaze.
“I love you so much. Thank you for waiting for me.” He wiped away the tears tracking down the sides of her face. As sobs tore through her throat, he said, “Shhh… It’s okay. I’ve got you, and you have me… Forever.”
He kept pace and grabbed her arms, placing them above her head, weaving their fingers together, never once breaking eye contact.
“Me and you, Cora. My heart is so full, it feels fucking amazing. It was all a road leading to you. I’m so glad we found you.”
“Gunther…” She wiggled her way out of his strong grip as he continued to pump into her. More sobs wracked her body as she wrapped her arms around his neck, unable to get him close enough. Twisting her legs around his hips, she rode out every thrust, feeling his full weight, need, and hunger.
Moaning as his seed pulsed out, he wrapped his arms under her back and rolled them over so she was on top.
“I’m yours, submitting to you.” He reached up and pulled her down to his lips. “My heart belongs to you.”
“Thank you,” she said, crying. He smiled and wiped away her tears. “Until the end of time.”
“Until the end of time,” he repeated softly.
Chapter 42
-East End of London-
Erik groaned as he sat his aching body in the office chair. His vision blurred as the intense pain penetrated his bones. He took his glasses off and rubbed his eyes.
“When are you going to ask for treatment?” Dr. Barter asked, startling Erik.
He slipped his glasses back on and stared at the man sitting on the other side of the desk.
“What do you mean?”
Dr. Barter stared at him before rolling his eyes. Sitting back in the chair, he rested his elbows on the arms and steepled his hands in front of his chest. “It’s painfully obvious you’re ill. Now, you can either let me run a few tests or…” He paused, tilting his head, then gestured toward Erik, “you can die. The ball is in your court.”
Erik smiled. “I know I’m sick, but I want to get Luke cured and out of here. I’d much rather be treated with no extra eyes.”
“Have you run any blood work?”
“No, but considering my symptoms, I feel I have a rough idea.”
Dr. Barter snorted. “And what’s that?”
“Some sort of leukemia.”
“I’ll need to perform a spinal tap.”
Erik waved his hand in the air. “Once Luke is gone.”
Leaning forward, Dr. Barter asked, “Do you think you will survive that long?”
Erik shrugged, feeling more pain ripple through his body. “I can only hope.”
“This is fucking stupid.”
Erik lifted a brow. “Are you insinuating that you care?”
“Would it shock you if I did?”
Erik laughed. “I believe so.”
“Look, I know I’m not the easiest person to read, but yes, I do care.”
Clapping his hands once, he yelled, “Well, hot damn!”
Dr. Barter pointed at him. “Don’t tell anyone my secret. So… How about that spinal tap?”
“No. Once Luke is out
of here, we can start.”
“Let me do it now. Then I can get a treatment plan together and get everything ordered that we’ll need.”
“My decision stands, Scott.” He flattened his palms on the desktop.
“This is not a good decision.”
“It’s how I want it. Is there anything else?” Erik’s phone rang. He glanced at it, seeing it was Michelle. “Excuse me,” he said before picking up the call.
Pushing into the ninth month of treatment, I was finally on the mend. A few weeks ago, my skepticism vanished when I looked in the mirror and saw my eyes were no longer a muddy mix of color, but a light, crystal blue. I hadn’t seen them like that since I was a teen.
I cried so hard, it scared Michelle. I was unable to speak through it, so she called in Erik and Dr. Barter to figure out what was going on. After Erik grabbed my face and looked into my eyes, he literally shouted and jumped up and down. He told me from that moment on, no more blood would pass my lips.
Sadly, the excitement was short-lived when the last scan showed traces of the virus still lingering in my brain. Erik felt quite confident the treatments deactivated the virus, but it just hadn’t flushed through my system yet. He said I would only need one to two more treatments, then we would clean my blood. After that came the scariest part…
Suspended animation.
To be honest, I didn’t even want to think about it. Essentially, they were going to kill me and, hopefully, bring me back to life.
From the inky, black depths of nothingness, the brilliant, white light of hopefulness was within reach. I had come so far on this journey.
Just call me a phoenix because I was rising from the fucking ashes.
I was thankful, grateful, and ecstatic for this new me. Also, as odd as it may seem, P.J. and I had become close mates. All the sessions and medications for my psychosis, coupled with the anti-serum, settled my mind.
My feelings of angst and bitterness had muted. My paranoia seemed to be gone, as well. The peacefulness was enough to drive me toward the normal I had craved for nearly my entire life.
I treasured every second of this new quiet, enjoying even the smallest of things. From the little laughs Michelle and I shared, to the occasional sneak of a sweet treat from Joseph. He was still a creepy motherfucker, but tolerable. It was interesting to chat with him a couple hours a day before it was time for me to sleep.
I began to work out again, feeling amazing when I started to pack on weight again. My body remembered how it should’ve been, and I took advantage of it.
As I sprinted on the treadmill, Michelle watched the heart monitor. It had become apparent that she liked to look at me, which surprised me because I wasn’t back in good shape yet. But I was going to work my ass off to get some of that bulk back before it was time for me to head home.
“Looking good, Luke, but it’s time to rest.” Michelle tapped on the monitor readout.
I took a quick glance at the numbers, then forward again. “I feel good, though.”
“Dr. Barter doesn’t want too much cardio right now. He’d rather you’d strength train.”
I punched the stop button and hopped onto the rails. “Then they need to let me go into the gym.” I waved my hand at the equipment and the small stack of free weights. “These won’t do shit for me anymore. I’m already past it.”
“I will talk to them, Mr. Muscles.”
I snorted in laughter and shook my head. “You know they’ll say no.” I grabbed the towel from the bar, wiped my face, and slung it over my shoulder. “I’m going to go shower.”
“Okay. I’ll give Erik a call.”
“Perfect.” I stepped off the treadmill and headed into the loo.
Michelle let out a frustrated sigh, then pursed her lips. She was glad Luke hadn’t noticed how much she stared at him. Maybe he did notice, but just didn’t say anything.
How could she not? He spent half of his day shirtless, workout pants or shorts hanging low on his hips. He worked hard every day to get his body back, and it was all she could do to stay under control as a professional and not throw herself at him.
What was it about him? She wasn’t sure. Maybe it was all the time and closeness they shared.
They both knew the other one’s darkest, dirtiest secrets, desires, and needs. She felt more connected to him than she had with any other relationship.
This new Luke Richards, the one who listened, offered advice or suggestions, and held her when she was emotional was quite appealing. She had to shut down those feelings. The ultimate goal was to get him home, back to his family…and his wife.
His transformation had been nothing short of miraculous. Not only had he packed on some weight, he had maintained his calm, laid-back mentality.
The sound of the shower turning off brought her back to the present. Michelle dug her phone out of the pocket of her scrubs, wanting to convince Erik that Luke was stable and ready to start taking little trips out of the chamber. She didn’t dare mention they already had, shocked Tess hadn’t ratted them out.
After two rings, he picked up. “Hey, Erik. Can you meet me in the foyer?”
“Everything good?” His tone sounded clipped.
“Yes. I just want to talk to you about something.”
“Be there in a few.”
She went into the foyer and only had to wait a minute for Erik to walk in.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
She gazed at him for a moment, noting his sunken cheeks, bruised skin around his eyes, lips taking on a tint of purple. “What is going on with you? You look ill, and seem to be getting worse by the day.”
“I’m fine. Just tired from all of this work.” He smiled.
“Hmm… I feel like you’re lying to me. I’ll get it out of you somehow.” He shrugged in response. “Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about Luke and the chamber.”
“All right.” He shifted his slight weight, widening his stance.
“I think we should let him venture out.”
He stood there for a long moment, rubbing his chin, then shoved his glasses back up his nose. “Hmm… No, not happening.”
“Erik, please.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Let me just say my piece.”
“Go on then.” He dropped his hands to his narrow hips, mimicking her pose.
“He’s healthy and not a threat to anyone.”
“I will never believe he isn’t a threat. While his mind seems settled, he is a trained killer.”
Michelle shook her head and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Erik, don’t be like this. He wants to lift more weights, work on getting his body back. He’s not going to try to leave. He’d have to cut one of our fingers off to do so.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him.” With a heavy sigh, she rolled her eyes. “You don’t know him like I do, Michelle. He is capable of so much more than what you could ever imagine.”
She aggressively pointed at the observation glass. “I’m in there with him twelve hours a day, seven days a week. Joseph is there the other half. He has never once tried to harm either of us.” She shook her head. “We have talked about everything, Erik. Everything that happened, has been done, or he has thought of doing. He needs a break. It’s time to take the leash off and allow him to breathe.”
Erik stared at her. “So you know about his illness?” he asked, voice rising in anger.
“Yeah, I do. I have no intension of telling anyone.”
He barked out a handful of obscenities. “I can’t believe this. Who told you?”
“Does it really matter?”
He shook his head. “I suppose not.”
“Obviously, I’m trustworthy. I feel Luke is, as well.”
“Your argument is hardly convincing, and not enough for me to say yes.”
A tap on the glass from the chamber drew their attention. Shirtless and hair still wet from the shower, Luke smiled and waved when they turned and faced the window.
When I opened the loo door, Michelle w
asn’t there. Maybe they felt like I could be alone now. I went to the window to see if she was in the foyer.
I stood there for a moment, watching the heated discussion. They were flailing their arms and rolling their eyes at one another. Finally, I tapped on the glass. A little stunned, they both looked at me.
Michelle motioned her hand to Erik, then the decontamination stall.
Less than a minute later, they both walked into my chamber.
“He said no,” Michelle muttered, crossing her arms.
“Excellent.” I rolled my eyes.
“Do you really think you are trustworthy enough to go outside this room and come back in?” Erik asked.
“Actually, I do. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though. Appreciate it.”
“You can easily overtake any one of us and disappear, like Houdini.”
“Because that’s something I would do,” I grumbled.
“Yes, you would.”
“No, I wouldn’t. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’ve changed. Ask PJ. Read his notes.”
“I’m not convinced,” Erik said, shaking his head.
“I have a fucking tracking device in my head! You fuckers can find me no matter where I go!”
“Calm down,” Michelle urged, resting her hand on my bicep.
“Sorry.”
As we stood in silence, it occurred to me that we needed to tell Erik we had left the chamber once before. Maybe it would sway his opinion.
I glanced at Michelle and raised a brow. She returned the gesture with much more of a warning glare. She knew what I wanted to tell him, but there was no way she wanted the information out.
“Sorry, ’Chelle. I have to.”
“Luke…don’t.”
“If anything happens, I will take care of it.”
Erik looked between us. “What are you two talking about?”
“I’ve ventured out before.”
“What?!”
“Mate, keep your voice down,” I said. “Jesus, your yelling could wake the dead.”
“Really? You were just yelling! How am I supposed to not be alarmed by this?” He jabbed a finger at Michelle. “You know everything…” He jabbed a finger at me, “and you’ve been out and about without me knowing! How the fuck am I supposed to trust you?”
Full Circle (Shattered Lives, Book Five) Page 32