Ruthless Kings of Obsession (Leighton Royals University #3)

24. Healing Obessession

Healing Obessession

~ G EMINI~

The room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor. Zander's face was pale, exhaustion tugging at his sharp features. But even now, beaten and bandaged, he radiated that maddening blend of charm and strength that I couldn’t resist.

His lips curled into a smirk as his green eyes raked over me, settling on the loose pigtails framing my face. "You know, Sweet Dynamite," he drawled, his voice hoarse but teasing, "the way those bounce around when you're mad at me? Makes it real hard to focus."

"Focus on what?" I shot back, letting the corner of my lips quirk upward.

"Anything but yanking them," he confessed with a grin, his hand lifting slightly from the bed as if to reach for one.

I leaned down, my pigtails brushing against his bare chest, my lips hovering just over his. "I don’t think you’re strong enough for that right now."

His smirk deepened, his breath fanning over my lips. "Then you better do all the work, sweetheart."

"You're unbelievable," I muttered, kissing him softly at first, savoring the warmth of his mouth against mine. But the moment his lips parted, letting me taste him fully, that familiar spark flared between us.

I pulled back, my breaths uneven. "Are you sure you're up for this?"

Zander’s gaze darkened, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Eva, I’ve been shot, not dead. Don’t make me beg."

Heat pooled low in my belly at the rasp in his voice. Without another word, I slid down the bed, dragging the thin hospital sheet with me. His sharp inhale made me glance up, catching the flicker of hunger in his eyes as my hands found the waistband of his sweatpants.

"You're really thriving on this, huh?" I teased, hooking my fingers into the fabric and pulling it down carefully to avoid aggravating his injuries.

"You’ve got no idea," he murmured, his voice thick with anticipation.

The sight of him, hard and already straining for attention, made my cheeks flush. My hands wrapped around his length, earning a low, guttural groan from him that sent a thrill racing through me.

"Sweet Dynamite," he breathed, his voice strained, "don't tease."

I leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to his tip, before slowly taking him into my mouth. His response was immediate—a sharp inhale followed by a broken moan that made my pulse quicken.

"Fuck, Eva," he muttered, his head falling back against the pillow, his good hand tangling in the sheet beneath him.

I worked him slowly at first, my lips and tongue tracing every inch of him, savoring the way his breath hitched with every movement. His body tensed beneath me, and the quiet curses that fell from his lips only encouraged me to go deeper, taking him until I felt the stretch in my jaw.

Zander’s groans grew louder, his hips jerking slightly despite his injuries. "Eva, if you keep that up, I’m not gonna last," he warned, his voice tight.

I pulled back just enough to grin up at him. "Maybe that's the point."

"Don’t even think about stopping," he growled, his eyes blazing as they locked onto mine.

I didn’t. I quickened my pace, my hand joining my mouth to bring him closer to the edge. The tension in his body coiled tighter and tighter until he let out a guttural groan, his release sudden and overwhelming. I swallowed every drop, my cheeks flushing with pride at the way his chest heaved, his body trembling beneath my touch.

I kissed my way back up to him, savoring the taste of him still lingering on my lips. His hand reached for me, his grip firm despite the exhaustion pulling at him.

"Your turn," he rasped, his green eyes blazing with a mixture of satisfaction and desire.

"Zander, you're?—"

"Let me," he insisted, cutting me off as he used his good hand to tug at the waistband of my leggings. "Don’t think you get to tease me like that and leave me empty-handed."

But I shook my head, brushing his hand away. "Not tonight. You’re still healing. Let me take care of you."

I straddled him carefully, bracing myself on either side of his torso as I sank down onto him. The stretch was exquisite, a gasp tearing from my lips as I took him in fully. His hands found my hips, guiding me despite his injuries, as I began to move.

"Slow," he murmured, his voice raw.

I obeyed, rocking my hips gently, mindful of the bandages wrapping his torso. Zander’s jaw clenched, his eyes dark with need as he watched me, every movement driving us both closer to the edge.

"You’re perfect," he breathed, his grip tightening just enough to urge me to pick up the pace.

"Zander," I whimpered, the sensation of him filling me overwhelming.

"That’s it," he encouraged, his voice strained. "Come on, Sweet Dynamite. I need to feel you."

His words sent me spiraling, the tension in my body snapping as I fell over the edge, my cries filling the room as I came undone around him. Zander wasn’t far behind, his release leaving him breathless beneath me.

I collapsed onto his chest, my lips brushing against his in a lazy kiss. "Still thriving?" I teased softly.

"Always," he murmured, his voice heavy with satisfaction.

I smiled, pressing another kiss to his lips. "Good. Because I’m not letting you out of my sight until you’re back on your feet. And when you are, you can pull those pigtails as much as you want."

His chuckle was warm and soft. "You’re making promises you can’t take back, Sweet Dynamite."

And for the first time in hours, I laughed, the sound light and full of relief.

Zander's chest rose and fell beneath me, his breathing still uneven but steadier now. The sharp edges of pain that had lined his face softened as he cradled me against him, his fingertips idly tracing circles on my back. For a few fleeting moments, it was just us—no hospital walls, no scars, no demons. Just the sound of our breaths mingling in the stillness.

But then reality crept back in, pulling me with it.

“You’re doing it again,” Zander murmured, breaking the silence.

I tilted my head to look up at him, my brows knitting. “Doing what?”

“That look,” he said, his green eyes locking onto mine. “The one where you start overthinking everything. Regretting everything.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but he silenced me with a finger to my lips. “Uh-uh. Not happening, Sweet Dynamite.”

“Zander—”

“Nope.” He cut me off, his lips twitching into a lopsided grin. “You think I’m gonna sit here and let you spiral when I’ve got you naked and still glowing from what we just did? Absolutely not.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I’m not glowing.”

“Eva,” he said, his tone shifting to something softer, more serious. “You are. You always do, even when you don’t see it.”

His words, earnest and raw, sent a lump rising in my throat. I looked away, but he cupped my chin, gently guiding me back to meet his gaze.

“I’m serious,” he said quietly. “You’re my light, Eva. You keep me going. So don’t you dare start dimming that over Domino or anything else.”

The mention of Domino made my stomach twist, guilt and doubt bubbling to the surface. “I just... I don’t know if I made the right choice, Zander. Letting him live?—”

“Was your call to make,” he interrupted. “And you’ll deal with the fallout if there’s any. But that doesn’t mean you should carry all of it alone.”

His hand slid down to mine, squeezing it gently. “You’ve got me, Sweet Dynamite. Always.”

The sincerity in his voice cracked something inside me. I nodded, unable to speak past the knot tightening in my throat.

“And anyway,” he continued, his grin returning as he shifted beneath me, “if you’re really feeling that guilty, I can think of a few ways to distract you.”

I arched a brow, smirking despite myself. “Oh? Like what?”

“Well,” he drawled, his hand slipping back to my hip, “we could start with you letting me tug on those pigtails like I’ve been dying to. Or...” His grin turned wicked. “Maybe we call Matteo in for that experiment after all.”

I smacked his chest lightly, only to freeze when he hissed. “Oh my god, Zander, I’m so sorry?—”

He chuckled, his lips pressing to my forehead. “Relax. Didn’t hurt. I’m too drugged up on the happy stuff to feel anything right now.”

“Great,” I muttered, glaring at him. “You’re just asking for me to knock you out again.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” he quipped, his grin widening. But then, the humor in his expression dimmed, giving way to something more somber.

“This time, though,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, “I was scared.”

I stilled, my fingers tightening against his chest. “Scared of what?”

“Dying,” he admitted. “I’ve never really cared before. Never thought much about it. But when that bullet hit, Eva... all I could think about was you. And what it would be like if I didn’t have you to come back to.”

The raw vulnerability in his confession shattered me. My vision blurred with tears, and I didn’t bother trying to stop them this time. They fell freely, spilling onto his face as he reached up to wipe them away.

“Don’t cry, Sweet Dynamite,” he whispered, his thumb brushing over my cheek.

“I can’t help it,” I choked out. “I thought I lost you, Zander. And the last thing I wanted was for you to leave me while I...” My voice broke, and I struggled to find the words. “While I made a mistake that might cost us everything.”

“You didn’t,” he said firmly, pulling me closer. “And even if you did, Eva, I’d forgive you. Every time.”

I buried my face in his neck, letting his words wash over me. His fingers combed through my hair, his voice a low murmur against my ear.

“Let’s just focus on this,” he said, his tone soft but commanding. “On us. The rest can wait.”

I nodded against him, my tears soaking into his skin.

“Good,” he said, his grin returning faintly. “Now, are we going to lie here all night, or are you finally going to let me tug on those pigtails?”

His teasing earned a watery laugh from me, and I pulled back just enough to meet his gaze. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

“And you’re addicted,” he shot back, his smirk widening.

“Maybe,” I admitted, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “But only to you.”