My Pulse

Chapter 22: Quinn Keane

I wake up in a cocoon of raw heat with Cian wrapped around me like a snake. I couldn't get up even if I wanted to. He is holding me against his bare chest so tightly like I may disappear.

I don't want to go anywhere though if I truly admit as much. I'm right where I want to be, safe in his arms.

My brutal lover is as deadly as I imagined, maybe even more so. Yet I know or at least hope he would never hurt me. I don't think he has any intention of letting me go anytime soon and the truth is I don't want him too.

I'm worried about my parents though. I am sure they are a frantic wreck, especially my mom. As soon as possible I have to find a way to speak with them.

I understand why we had to leave the way we did. We could all hear the sirens coming and I trusted they would be safe once the police got there. There was no one left alive on the compound to hurt them and that's the only reason I went with Cian.

I also had a feeling he would've drugged and taken me anyway so it was better to just go with him of my own accord.

I start to shift and open my eyes getting used to the sunlight streaming in. The room is so bright there is no way to go back to sleep. Cian mumurs a sleepy sigh and tightens his arm around me. He immediately starts to nuzzle into me. Cian smells my hair so deeply and I turn in his arms to face him.

"You smell amazing." He murmurs sleepily.

"What do I smell like?" I ask him meeting his beguiling green eyes.

"Like a rainstorm in winter and a fresh sea breeze swirled into one." He sighs admiringly.

"Really? That smell reminds me of my childhood home." I say sadly looking away from him. He takes my chin and moves it gently to meet my gaze again.

"This makes you sad my love?"

My love. Not sweetheart. Interesting.

"I'm just really going to miss it there. I've always pictured living there myself one day."

A huge grin spreads across his face. "Well I was going to wait to tell you until everything is done but it looks like renovations are moving along well."

"What renovations?" I ask, confused.

"I bought your parents property in Galway." He tells me straight faced as he strokes my cheek with his knuckles.

"WHAT!" I sit right up in bed steadying myself on my arms. "Why? Why would you do that?" I wonder as my head tries to make sense of it.

"I want to make it into our main base and compound instead of residing in Dublin. This way you will be close to your job, friends, and family as well."

"But why move? Isn't Dublin your home?"

"I would do anything to keep you safe and that property can be made into a fortress."

"You would move your entire life around for me?"

"I would do anything for you Quinn. You're mine now." He asserts with unmistakable hunger.

"I'll never belong to anyone, Cian. I am my own person." I tell him defiantly.

I watch his eyes narrow into slits, "No other man will touch you or so much as fucking look at you too long if he values his life."

"Cian, like I mentioned on the plane I have a lot of male friends. This jealousy is too much and I won't fucking deal with it."

Before I can finish he is on me, his lips smashing down on mine stealing my last word and breath. Cian pushes me back down on the bed and rolls on top of me. I'm kissing him back, already aroused from our fight. It feels so good to stand up to this strong man. He makes me feel like a sexy tigress.