Chapter 56 Finally Yours
Pierce kissed her like he'd been waiting his entire life for permission.
Elena's legs tightened around his waist, pulling him closer, and Pierce made a sound low in his throat that sent heat flooding through her. His hand slid higher under her shirt, fingers spreading across her ribcage, and she arched into the touch.
Without breaking the kiss, Pierce lifted her off the sink. Elena's arms wrapped around his neck, her body pressed against his as he carried her out of the bathroom. Down the hallway and into the bedroom at the end.
Pierce kicked the door closed and set her down beside the bed. His hands went to the edge of her bloodstained shirt, hesitating for just a second and elena raised her arms in answer.
He pulled it off slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. Then her tank top. Each piece of clothing removed with careful deliberation, like he was unwrapping something precious.
Elena reached for his shirt, tugging it over his head, needing to feel skin against skin. Her hands explored the planes of his chest, the ridges of muscle, the steady thunder of his heartbeat beneath her palms.
Pierce's fingers traced the edge of her bra, then moved to the clasp. It fell away and his breath caught, his eyes darkening as he looked at her.
He pulled her close, kissing her deeply as his hands mapped every curve, every line. Elena's fingers worked at his belt, his jeans, pushing them down.
They fell onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs and desperate touches. Pierce's mouth moved from her lips to her jaw to her neck, trailing fire down her throat. Elena's head fell back, her fingers tangling in his hair.
His hand slid down her side, over her hip, hooking into her remaining clothing and pulling it away. The last barrier between them disappeared and Pierce paused, hovering over her, his eyes locked on hers.
Everything they'd fought through, everything they'd survived, everything they'd denied themselves, it all led to this moment.
Elena pulled him down to her.
Pierce settled between her thighs, his weight braced on his forearms, and the first touch of skin on skin made them both gasp. He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, as his hand traced patterns on her hip, her thigh, higher.
Elena's breath paused. Her nails dug into his shoulders as pleasure built with each deliberate touch. Pierce took his time, learning what made her gasp, what made her arch, what made his name fall from her lips.
When she was shaking beneath him, he finally positioned himself and entered her slowly, carefully, giving her time to adjust.
Elena's eyes fluttered closed at the sensation, at the intimacy of it, at finally having what she'd been denying herself for so long.
Pierce stayed still, letting her adjust, his forehead resting against hers, both of them breathing hard.
Then Elena's hips shifted and Pierce groaned, his control breaking. He started moving, setting a rhythm that had her meeting him thrust for thrust.
It wasn't gentle. Couldn't be after weeks of wanting and fighting and denying. His hand gripped her hip, angling her closer. Elena's legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper.
The pleasure built with each movement, each touch, each kiss. Pierce's mouth found hers, swallowing her gasps. Elena's nails raked down his back as the tension coiled tighter, tighter.
Pierce shifted the angle slightly and Elena shattered, crying out against his shoulder, her body arching beneath him. He followed seconds later, her name breaking from his lips as he buried his face in her neck.
They stayed like that, both breathing hard, hearts racing against each other, neither wanting to move.
Finally, Pierce rolled to the side, pulling her with him. Elena's head rested on his chest, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, their legs tangled together.
The silence between them was comfortable, perfect. No words needed for what their bodies had already said.
Elena's fingers traced lazy patterns on his chest, feeling his heartbeat gradually slow. Pierce's hand moved up and down her spine in gentle strokes.
Minutes passed.
"I was terrified today," Pierce said quietly. "When those shots started. When Derek went down. All I could think was that it could have been you."
Elena pressed closer. "But it wasn't."
"This time." His arm tightened around her. "But there will be a next time. As long as Rodrigo and Xander are out there..."
"Then we deal with it." Elena tilted her head to look at him. "Together."
Pierce's eyes met hers, searching. "You mean that."
"Yes." She reached up to touch his face. "I'm done running from this. From you. From us."
"What changed?"
"I realized that loving you isn't weakness." Elena's fingers traced the line of his jaw. "And that I'd rather face whatever comes next with you than keep trying to survive alone."
Pierce kissed her forehead, then her nose, then her mouth, soft and tender.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he said.
"I know."
"I mean it, Elena. Whatever it takes..."
"I know." She pressed her finger to his lips. "But you have to let me protect you too. This works both ways."
Something shifted in Pierce's expression. "You want to protect me."
"Of course I do. You think I could lose you after this?" Elena's voice cracked slightly. "After finally letting myself have you?"
Pierce pulled her closer, burying his face in her hair. "You're not going to lose me."
"Promise me."
"I promise." He kissed the top of her head. "We're going to survive this. All of it. And when it's over..."
"When it's over?"
"I'm marrying you."
Elena's breath froze. She pulled back to look at him. "Pierce.."
"I'm not asking right now. Not with everything that's happening." His hand cupped her face. "But when this is done, when you're safe, when we can actually breathe, I'm asking and I hope to God you say yes."
Elena's eyes filled with tears. "You're serious?"
"Completely serious."
She kissed him, slow and deep, pouring everything she felt into it. When they broke apart, both were breathing hard again.
"Ask me when this is over," Elena whispered. "And I'll give you my answer then."
Pierce's eyes darkened. "That's not a no."
"No." She smiled. "It's not."
They stayed like that for awhile, before exhaustion finally claimed them, falling asleep tangled together as dawn approached.
Elena woke to pale morning light filtering through the curtains.
For a moment, confusion, then she felt the warmth beside her, the arm wrapped around her waist, the steady breathing against her neck.
Pierce, and rverything from last night came flooding back. She turned carefully in his arms, studying his face in the morning light. He looked younger when he was asleep, the hard edges softened. His dark hair was messy from her fingers.
Elena's hand reached out, tracing the line of his cheekbone.
Pierce's eyes opened immediately, focusing on her. A slow smile spread across his face.
"Good morning," he said, his voice rough with sleep.
"Morning." She said gently.
He pulled her closer, kissing her forehead. "How do you feel?"
"Different." Elena's voice was quiet. "Good different. You?"
"The same." Pierce's hand slid down her back. "Though I'm wondering if last night was real or if I'm still dreaming."
Elena kissed him, slow and deep, until they were both breathless. "Real enough?"
Pierce groaned, rolling her onto her back. "We should check on Derek."
"We should," Elena agreed, making no move to leave the bed.
"In a minute." His mouth found her neck. "Just one more minute."
Elena smiled, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer.
One more minute of peace. One more minute before reality came crashing back in. One more minute of just being together.
Then they'd face whatever came next, together.