Hundred and eleven

Hundred and eleven
HAZEL STYLES POV

The soft music filtering through the air pulled me out of the foggy dreamland I was in. My eyes blinked open, then I turned, the weight of Riven's arm on my hips making me smile.

My face was leveled with his chest, and as I took in the smooth expanse of his skin, my pulse picked up, a wave of desire washing over me.

I reached forward tentatively, my fingers caressing and tracing his muscles, loving the way he flexed even in his sleep.

"So beautiful," I whispered, then pressed my palm against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heart picking up as I flexed my hand.

My gaze jerked up to see him watching me, the smoldering look in his eyes making my breath hitch.

"You're awake," I stuttered, my face flaming up as I remembered just how insane last night had been. I started to look away and gasped when his hand gripped my jaw, his russet brown eyes boring into mine.

"Keep your eyes on me, baby, you don't have to be shy when it's just us," he rumbled, his voice raspy. A shiver went down my spine, the heat between my legs growing.

I nodded, then jerked, my eyes widening as he leaned in all of a sudden, his lips capturing mine in a quick kiss; then he moved in closer, his legs tangling with mine, his warm skin pressing against mine.

"I love you," he said, running his knuckles down my cheek. "I want to keep telling you how much I love you every morning. I also want to call you my wife."

Heat spread all over me, and my heart started a pounding rhythm.

I licked my lips, loving how his gaze dropped to it. "We are already engaged aren't we?"

"I want us to make it official. Let's get married. I want to be yours, the same way I want you to be mine."

My lips twitched, a smile curving my mouth. "I am already yours Riven. I know I broke my promises a lot of times, but this time I mean it. I'm ready to tie myself to you, forever."

He grinned, his hand cradling my head. "How much do you love me, Hazel. I want to hear it."

"I love you so much I'll die for you if I have to."

His eyes sparkled, and my lungs clogged up, his happiness suffocating me.

"And if I were the one wielding the knife," he asked, his stare intense.

I smirked, imagining it. "All the better. You're the only one who has the right to end my life, Riven," I said, knowing that it was crazy, but that was what I felt, and I wanted him to know it.

His eyes were like a desert storm. "That's exactly how I feel about you too, Hazel."

He rubbed his nose against mine, his hands stroking through my hair. "I'd probably die with a smile if it were in your hand."

I chuckled. "This is so weird. Why are we suddenly talking about dying?"

He laughed, hugging me closer. "Because I love you to death. Let's get married baby, let's get married and have beautiful babies that look just like you"

I glanced up, my breath catching in my lungs at how reverent his gaze was, and then I let out the breath, my lips curving in a smile.

"Let's do it then. Let's get married"

He hugged me tight, our bodies almost one from how close we were.

"That's my girl," he murmured against my hair, then inhaled deeply. "Now that that's settled, how about we sleep in today?"

I bet he was tired. I grinned. That was what he got for going at it all night long like some sex-starved sex god.

I snuggled closer. "Okay," I muttered, loving how completely enveloped by him I was.


A FEW DAYS LATER

"You didn't have to come here after everything that happened," I told Lena, then glanced at Raphael who stood by her side. "You both should be resting. Raphael's face hasn't even healed yet, "I pointed out, and Lena shook her head, her chin set stubbornly.

"How could I not come, Hazel. Even though it was all part of the plan, I still feel so bad for leaving you alone with that psycho. Can you ever forgive me? If I hadn't met up with him, none of this would have happened."

My brow dipped, my mouth curling. "Just how many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't your fault huh... Lena, come on," I said, then grabbed hold of her hand. "The only person to blame was Ksar, not you!"

"Exactly what I keep telling her," Raphael got out surly. "If it wasn't for that bastard, none of this would have happened. I hope he rots in hell, wherever he is for what he did to me. That psycho beat me up if I so much as breathe."

"Are you feeling better?" I asked, pointing at his face, then startled when he suddenly walked toward me, knelt at my front, and yanked my hand to his face.

"How could I feel better, Hazel... You had to be used as bait to save my life while I was lying at some restaurant, tied up with no way to save myself. Tell me the truth; you're mad at me, right? You hate me, right..."

I gaped at him, stupefied, and tried to move my hand, but he just gripped on tighter.

"Can you stop being so dramatic! Let go of her" Lena warned.

"No, I won't. I want to know if she still loves me—because of me, you almost died... It's all my fault!"

I leaned in, holding his gaze. "I don't hate you, Raphael. We were all victims and if someone is really to blame, it would be Julian. Ksar only kidnapped you because Julian paid him to kill me, so stop blaming yourself"

He stared at me, his eyes brimming with tears. "So you really don't hate me, right?" he asked, rubbing his cheek against my palm.

"Of course, I don't," I answered, glancing up at Lena, who just shook her head and rolled her eyes.

"You got what you wanted, so can you let go of her hand before Riven gets here and cuts it off?"

Raphael huffed and then pulled me closer. "You used to pat my hair all the time before I went off to school, but you don't do that anymore. You say you don't hate me, but you act differently now,"

I was going to say something when a hand fisted around his hair and yanked it back.

Raphael cried out, his eyes widening as he met Riven's angry ones.

"Didn't I say to keep your hands off of her," he growled, his eyes moving to his hand that was still holding mine.

Raphael let go quickly, his eyes darting between me and Lena. "Are you two just going to let him hurt a sick person?" he cried out, and Riven let go of him, his glare frightening.

"You should listen to your sister Raphael, touch her again and I'll cut your hands off. It's not a threat."

"Don't be so scary Riven," I said, grabbing his hand. "Raphael is still traumatized by what happened."

"Exactly!" he blurted, getting to his feet. "Also, stop being such a possessive freak when you haven't even married her yet!"

"Raphael!" Lena gasped out. "Do you have a death wish or something? Riven saved your life, stop being a dick."

"That's enough!" Riven thundered then scoffed, his gaze leveled with Raphael. "I see you still have some hope that you can weasel your way into Hazel's life and steal her from me," he said, then took my hand. "Too bad huh, there's no chance for you at all... And as for marrying her, the wedding date has already been fixed and the invitation will be out tomorrow"

"What" Lena gasped, her jaw dropping to the floor as she met my gaze.

I smiled shakily, avoiding her gaze, my hands scratching at the back of my neck.

"You two set the date already? Hazel, when did you plan on saying anything?"

"As soon as we all stopped blaming each other for what happened..." I got out, glancing at Riven. "I told you to let me break the news," I gritted out for only him to hear and he shrugged, a small smile tugging on his lips.

Gosh, he was going to be the death of me.