Chapter 13 - THE FINAL GAMBIT
Declan’s control shattered.
The restraint he had maintained for three long years vanished into the warm air of the room.
His large hands came up and cupped her face.
He pulled her to him and claimed her mouth in a deep, desperate kiss.
Norah gasped into his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck.
The kiss was fierce, possessive, yet filled with an aching tenderness that brought tears to her eyes.
He tasted of rain, scotch, and raw power.
Declan groaned, lifting her effortlessly off her feet.
Norah wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her toward the massive bed.
He laid her down on the soft sheets, following her down with reverent care.
He hovered over her, his dark eyes burning with open worship.
His fingers gently traced the fading bruise along her jawline.
“Does it hurt?” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
“Nothing hurts when you’re touching me,” Norah whispered.
Declan leaned down and kissed the bruise with infinite gentleness.
He kissed her jaw.
He kissed the delicate curve of her throat.
He kissed the hollow beneath her collarbone where her pulse fluttered like a wild bird.
Norah tangled her fingers in his thick, dark hair.
She pulled him closer, arching against his muscular chest.
For three years, she had watched him in silence.
She had dreamed of the broad shoulders beneath his bespoke suits.
She had wondered what it would feel like to have those lethal hands holding her with such fierce devotion.
Now, there were no desks between them.
No schedules.
No secrets.
Declan unbuttoned his torn shirt, tossing it to the floor.
Norah ran her palms over the hard planes of his chest, tracing the old silver scars of his past battles.
She felt the raw power in his muscles.
He was a warrior king.
And tonight, he was surrendering completely to her.
He undressed her slowly, worshipping every inch of her skin with his lips and hands.
When he entered her, he moved with agonizing slowness, his eyes locked onto hers.
Norah cried out softly, a sound of pure, overwhelming pleasure.
Declan held her hips, setting a rhythm that was steady, deep, and all-consuming.
The fire in the hearth crackled softly.
Outside, the first golden rays of dawn began to paint the sky above Lake Michigan.
Inside the fortress of glass and stone, two souls who had fought through hell finally found their sanctuary.
They moved together as one, breath mingling with breath, until the world outside ceased to exist.
When the storm finally subsided, Declan pulled the heavy duvet over their cooling bodies.
Norah lay with her head resting on his bare chest.
Her fingers idly traced the Hayes family crest tattooed over his heart.
Declan’s arm was wrapped securely around her waist, holding her close against his side.
He pressed a soft kiss into her hair.
“You’re never going back to your desk outside my office,” Declan murmured into the quiet morning.
Norah lifted her chin, a playful smile touching her lips.
“Are you firing me, Mr. Hayes?”
Declan looked down at her, his lips curving into a rare, breathtaking smile.
“I’m promoting you.”
“To what?”
Declan reached over to the bedside table.
He picked up a small velvet box that had sat hidden behind the clock.
He flipped the lid open.
Inside rested a flawless three-carat emerald-cut diamond ring, flanked by platinum baguettes.
Norah gasped.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
“Declan...”
“I bought this two months ago,” Declan said softly.
“Before I knew Julian was blackmailing you.”
“I bought it because I knew I couldn't spend another year pretending you were just my secretary.”
He took her left hand in his.
His dark eyes were steady, earnest, and filled with an eternal promise.
“Marry me, Norah.”
“Rule this city beside me.”
“Be my queen.”
Tears spilled over Norah’s lashes, bright and happy in the morning light.
May you like
“Yes,” she whispered, throwing her arms around his neck.
“A thousand times, yes.”
