Cowboy’s Healing Heart

13. Power to Destroy Me

THIRTEEN

POWER TO DESTROY ME

KRYSTAL

Shane's words send a tremor through me, reverberating deep in my core.

His hand comes up to cup my face, his thumb tracing the curve of my cheek. The simple touch ignites a fire within me, spreading through my veins like wildfire. I lean into his palm, craving more of his warmth, more of his touch.

I look at him, really look at him, and see the desire in his eyes. Raw, intense, and directed right at me. It takes my breath away, and before I know it, I'm crawling on top of him, needing to feel him inside me.

I straddle him, feeling his length hardening beneath me. I roll my hips, letting him feel how wet I am.

"You have the power to destroy me, Kennedy," I whisper, my lips brushing against his. "Be very careful how you use it."

He meets my gaze, his blue eyes dark with desire. "I would never do anything to hurt you," he promises, his hands gripping my waist. "Because I need you."

With a gentle friction, I slide down onto him, our gazes locked. A low groan escapes his lips, and I instinctively cover his mouth with my hand, wanting to keep our moment private.

Ashanti sleeps in the next room, and I don't want to risk waking her. But as soon as our lips touch, I replace my hand with a kiss that feels like a promise.

It starts slow, a tentative exploration of lips and tongues. But soon, it deepens. Our mouths move together urgently, our breaths quickening. I can taste the heat of him on my tongue, and I want more.

I start moving my hips, a slow grind that has him groaning into my mouth. His hands grip my hips, guiding me. I feel him everywhere, his hands on my skin, his lips on my neck.

It's like we're devouring each other, and it's not enough.

"I need you," he repeats, his lips brushing against my skin as he speaks. "In ways I've never needed anyone before."

His words sink into me, burrowing deep beneath my skin, taking root in my very soul. Each syllable is a caress, a promise, a declaration of something I've been too afraid to name.

Shane's lips trail down my neck, leaving a path of fire in their wake. "I need your strength," he murmurs against my pulse point. "Your courage. Your unwavering spirit."

I shiver, my hands coming up to tangle in his hair. He nips at my collarbone, soothing the sting with his tongue.

"I need your laughter," he continues, his voice low and husky. "The way your eyes light up when you smile. The sound of your voice first thing in the morning."

His hands roam over my body, mapping every curve, every dip, every scar. It's as if he's trying to memorize me, to imprint the feel of my skin onto his palms.

"I need your mind," Shane whispers, his lips ghosting over my ear. "Your quick wit, your sharp tongue. The way you challenge me pushes me to be better."

I arch into him, desperate for more contact. His touch is both too much and not enough, leaving me aching for something I can't quite name.

"I need your heart," he says, his hand coming to rest on my chest. "Your compassion, your fierce love for Ashanti. The way you care so deeply, even when it scares you."

Tears prick at my eyes, overwhelmed by the raw emotion in his voice. Shane pulls back slightly, his gaze locking with mine once more.

"I need all of you, Krystal," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "The good, the bad, the messy parts you try to hide. I need your past, your present, your future. I need you in my life, by my side, in my arms."

His words wrap around me, warm and soothing. They seep into the cracks of my battered heart, filling the empty spaces that were waiting on him.

"I need you to trust me," Shane continues, his thumb brushing away a tear I didn't realize had fallen. "To let me in, to let me love you the way you deserve to be loved. Because I will with everything in me."

I swallow hard, my throat tight with emotion. "Shane, I-"

He silences me with a kiss, soft and sweet and full of promise. When he pulls away, his eyes are shining with unshed tears.

"I need you to know that I'm not going anywhere," he says fiercely. "I'm yours."

His hands find the hem of my nightshirt, lifting it over my head smoothly. Then his lips are on my skin, trailing kisses down my neck and collarbone. I throw my head back, giving him better access, silently encouraging him to take what he wants.

What he wants is me.

His mouth is on me, sucking, licking, biting. I moan, threading my fingers through his hair. I arch my back, pressing my breast further into his mouth, needing him deeper, harder. I ride him, feeling and needing every inch of him.

His teeth graze my nipple, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core. I gasp, arching into him. He takes the opportunity to flip us over so that he's on top, his thick cock sliding in and out, stretching me, filling me.

He's inside me, but I need more. Deeper, faster, harder. I want him to consume me, to leave me breathless.

"Shane," I whisper, his name like a prayer on my lips.

"Fuck," he groans, his voice muffled against my skin. "Are you gonna give me babies?"

"Yes," I say breathlessly, my body on fire.

He lifts his head, and our eyes lock as he pushes deeper inside me. I bite my lip, trying to keep quiet, but he's relentless, driving me closer and closer to the edge.

"You're mine, Krystal. Forever... All mine."

"All yours," I pant, lost in the sensations he's creating within me. "I'm all yours."

He kisses me then, hard and deep, his tongue exploring my mouth as he drives into me. I lift my hips to give him better access.

We fit together perfectly, our bodies in sync. It's like we were made for each other, and right now, in this moment, nothing else exists but the two of us.

The tension builds, coiling deep in my belly. I'm so close, teetering on the edge. Just when I think I can't take anymore, Shane shifts his hips, hitting just the right spot, and I'm about to explode. It's coming hard and fast.

Each thrust has me moaning, crying out. It feels so good, so right. I meet his movements, rocking back against him.

"That's it, baby," he whispers, his lips against my ear. "Take what you need."

I do, and it's not enough. I want more, need more.

I tighten my muscles around him, and he groans, his hips snapping forward with increasing speed.

"I can never get enough," he growls, his hands gripping my hips.

I don't respond. I just keep moving with him. We're in sync, our bodies knowing what the other needs. It's like we're one, connected in a way I've never experienced before.

"Shane..."

"Me too, baby," he says, his breath hot against my neck. "Come with me."

His words seal the deal. I cry out, my body shaking as I come apart. He follows, thrusting a few more times before spilling into me with a harsh groan.

We stay like that for a moment, our hearts pounding, our breaths mingling. Then he kisses me, soft and sweet. I'm overwhelmed by the emotions coursing through me.

Then, in the protection of his arms, Shane tells me the truth about the requirements his family has and about the life we'd be stepping into. Then he leans over the side of the bed for his jeans and pulls out a ring.

"Everything in my life has been part illusion, manipulation," he says. "I need you to be real. Please."

I stare at the ring, my mind whirling. Somewhere in the corners of my mind, I realize I've wanted this. A family. Him. And now he's offering it, but it seems to be loaded with hidden meanings and trick doors.

But when I look into his eyes and feel his touch on my skin, it's real. It's so incredibly real.

"Krystal Duncan, will you marry me?" Shane asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. I think about Ashanti, about the life we've been living, always on the run. I think about Jordan and his threats. And I think about Shane, about the way he makes me feel safe and loved.

"Yes, Shane Kennedy," I say, my voice shaky but sure. "Yes."

"God, I love you," he murmurs as he slips the ring on my finger.

The ring is exquisite, a delicate band of white gold adorned with a single sparkling diamond, surrounded by a constellation of smaller stones. It represents a future I never dared to hope for.

"It's beautiful. I love you, too."

Shane's arms tighten around me, pulling me closer as we cuddle up on the bed. The warmth of his body envelops me, and I feel safe like we're back in our little bubble.

Laying back, I let my head rest against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Thoughts swirl in my mind—everything from Ashanti’s well-being to the logistics of moving again to how I'll have to navigate Jordan.

This moment feels surreal. The ring glimmers on my finger, a constant reminder of the leap I've taken into uncertainty. Shane shifts slightly beneath me, adjusting our positions without breaking the embrace.

I close my eyes for a moment, allowing myself to enjoy this feeling of connection.

What if it’s too good to be true? My fears surface like unwelcome guests at a party. I push them aside. Tonight is about us.

His finger slides across my skin, and I lean into his touch. A smile creeps onto my face despite everything.

I could get used to this. I could get used to him .

"Do you think we can really make this work?" I ask quietly, still caught up in our cocoon.

Shane’s voice rumbles softly above me. "I believe we can."

His heartbeat matches mine as we lay together in silence, lost in our thoughts while wrapped in each other’s warmth.

"What's next?" I ask, suddenly afraid of the answer.

Shane shifts, reaching over the side of the bed. When he turns back, he's holding a small box. My heart starts racing as he opens it, revealing a ring.

"New York City," he says. "And us."

"Shane?" I say after a while.

"Hmm?"

"Promise me something."

He pulls back, looking at me. "Anything."

I swallow hard, fighting back tears. "Promise me you won't let me disappear."

His arms tighten around me. "Never," he says fiercely. "I won't let that happen."

I nod, burying my face in Shane's chest, choosing to believe him.

But there's this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can't shake off. It's like I'm already fading away, becoming less of myself and more of what he needs me to be.