Page 57 of Dark Verse

Yep. Just like my actual first time.

Except this time, both my partner and I know what we are doing. Raven begins working her hips in these long circular motions that has my cock hitting every single spot inside her warmth. I don’t come. That word doesn’t seem to encompass the sensations my entire being undergoes.

I erupt. I explode and implode. I flood the condom.

I die a little and then all at once.

I am destroyed.

I am remade an instant later.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

RAVEN

SKIN TO skin. Heart to heart. Cheek to chest.

That’s how I wake up the next morning. My arm and leg draped over Knox’s sleeping form. I’ve never found myself practically fused to another person the morning after sex. I’m usually as far away from their sweat-encrusted body as possible. But here I am, snuggling further into the feeling.

Until my stomach rumbles at me.

Slowly peeling myself away from Knox, I slip out from beneath the bedcovers. I’m instantly cold despite the general warmth, and I reach in the semi-dark for my glasses, some pants, and a top, in that order. I already know there isn’t much to eat in the fridge. Back home in LA, I’m in the habit of shopping and cooking for one. But I’ve been so busy since my temporary relocation back to Colorado that I’ve been ordering out for most meals for weeks. All I have in there right now are condiments for sandwiches and two-day-old takeout.

As I’m slipping out of the apartment, I text him to let him know I’ll be back soon. If he wakes up before I return, I don’t want him to wonder if I will be long. I look up at the askew 3 on the front door. I’ve reached out to the building manager about getting it screwed back in properly, but beyond an acknowledgment email, I haven’t heard anything else. I know there is a small toolbox in the apartment’s closet. Maybe I’ll pull it out when I have a little free time and fix it myself.

Ha. Free time.

As I step out of the building, I’m immediately greeted by the sound of lawn equipment at work. The smell of fresh cut grass follows me down the sidewalk, laced with the scent of various florals. It’s too thick a smell to pick out any individual flowers, but it’s lovely all the same. I pass by Knox’s motorcycle, the colors catching the morning light. The grocery store I usually patronize hasn’t opened yet, but I already see a few customers at the coffee shop’s outdoor seating. The little ting of the bell sounds as I enter Dark Heart Coffee.

I already know what I like, but as I stand in line, I realize I don’t know what Knox prefers. I’ve heard him talk about coffee enough to know he drinks it just about as often as I do, but beyond that I haven’t got a clue.

“Morning, Sal. The usual for me, large of course,” I say to the familiar barista as I approach the counter. “But could I also get a vanilla latte, a cold brew, and an Americano? Large for all of them as well.”

“Late night or early morning?” Sal asks, typing my order into the system.

I shrug because the answer is both. It’s been far too long since I had a night like last night. An amazing first date ending in brain-shattering sex is not how I thought yesterday would go. Nor did I anticipate Knox waking me up sometime around two in the morning, somehow harder than the first time and ready to go again. My pussy involuntarily clenches, and I feel how sore I actually am. He’s close to the biggest man I’ve ever been with, but there’s more. I was not expecting the wicked curve of his cock. He was hitting parts of my body I didn’t even know were reachable.

“Early morning,” I settle on and add, “But they aren’t all for me.”

“Okay, good.” Sal smiles. “Because all that caffeine would make your heart explode.”

“My heart is safe from caffeine-related explosions,” I jest. “While I’m thinking about it, can I also get one blueberry muffin, a strawberry scone, one croissant, and a cheese Danish? All to go, please.”

“Of course.” Sal smiles, ringing me up. The total flashes up, and I pull out my card, tapping it against the reader. “Do you want those pastries warmed up?”

“Yes, that would be great. Thank you, Sal,” I say, stepping aside so the next customer can order.

I pull my phone out from my back pocket when it bleeps at me, indicating a text.

Knox: Morning sweetheart.

My smile is instantaneous and embarrassingly large.

Me: WOW. I’m impressed. Didn’t realize you wake before 10am unless contractually obligated ;)

I only wait a few breaths before a text comes in with an accompanying photo.

Knox: This had other plans.