“We were actually in the middle of talking when your dad called to tell Nico you were in trouble.”

I glanced back at Nico, whose face was impassive as he listened, leaning against the far wall. I gave him a soft smile, sending him all my gratitude and love.

“How are we feeling, Mr. Garin?” a nurse asked as she entered the room.

“Ahhh, time for my medicine. That’s the only bad thing about this place. They’re stingy on the meds.”

I wrapped my arms around Michael, hugging him tightly. “I’m going to let you rest, but you text me later.”

“Will do. Another twenty-four hours, and I should be out of here, so no more worrying.”

We said our goodbyes and I left feeling significantly better than when I arrived. Nico had said Michael was fine, but I had to see it for myself to ease my worry. An hour later, we were back in the city at Nico’s apartment. The second he walked us through the door, he had me up against the wall with his mouth on mine.

“I’ve been patient, letting you recover and visit with friends and family, but I’m done waiting. I need you naked.” The tender, affectionate lover was gone, and the possessive, demanding Nico was back. He raked his teeth along my neck, thrusting his hard length against my belly.

His need drove me crazy, making me just as hungry for him as he was me. I pulled his T-shirt up over his head, then fumbled with the button on his jeans. I dropped to my knees, pulling his pants down with me, then slowly dragged my hands up his muscular legs to grip his hard length. That was when I saw the tattoo just inside his left hip bone. It was small enough that I hadn’t noticed it before, but at eye level, there was no missing it. There were two Chinese symbols, and above them was the word “love” and below, “Ladybug.” My right hand released him to gently touch the word.

“You were always with me, a permanent part of my soul. It only made sense my body should reflect that.”

I leaned in and kissed the inked dedication to our love, then peered up at him as I took his entire length into my mouth. Nico’s chest flared out as he took in a ragged breath. I showered him with all the love and devotion I was feeling until he demanded I stop and lifted me into his arms, impaling me against the wall.

“Fuck, Sofia, you feel so good, so tight,” he breathed harshly.

My hands rested on his shoulders, feeling the coiled muscles flex beneath my fingertips. “More, Nico. I need more,” I moaned, wanting him to brand me—make me his forever.

Nico did not disappoint.

He pounded into me until my body couldn’t take any more. He didn’t just draw an orgasm from me, his body commanded it, and mine was helpless but to obey. My legs and core flexed and quivered as white-hot pleasure exploded inside me, coursing through my veins. At the same time, Nico pumped his release inside me, continuing with gentle thrusts to ride out every last ounce of my orgasm.