Page 54 of Playing Hard to Get

“The pain covers the pain,” I whispered.

Her hand stilled on my shoulder. Warm fingertips touched the scars at the base of my neck.

“James was covered in tats, but I’d never gotten inked. Not until I got out. Got my first in Japan. It took away the pain when nothing else would. And I've been covering myself ever since.”

“It helps you remember.”

This woman. How was it she got me? Understood what was inside of me, what I needed? I nodded and pulled her closer. Her breasts pressed against my chest, her hands gripping against my skin.

“It helps me remember the good. The men we lost were some of my closest friends. But James…”

I trailed my fingers down Vivian’s side. Touched the soft skin of her stomach. Breathed in a breath full of dreams and all the memories I wanted to make.

“His wife… Erika. She was pregnant. Due in a month. He never got to meet his son.”

A tear trickled out of my eye. That boy. He should be damn proud of his daddy. But he’d never know him. Never know his kind heart, the jokes he pulled, the infectious sound of his laughter. All James wanted in life was to watch that little boy grow up. To hold him in his arms, teach him to do great things, help him become a man people wanted to know. Someone he’d be proud of.

Vivian was watching me, her blue eyes filled with unshed tears. She cupped my cheek. Ran a thumb under my eyes, wiping away the liquid that pooled there.

“He meant a lot to you.” It wasn’t a question, just a truth she saw clear as day. “All your friends, you love them all, don't you?”

Nodding, I kissed the tip of her nose.

“I love that about you. That you care so much. That you feel… so much. I wish I was like you.”

“I wouldn't change a thing about you, sweet girl.” I smiled down at her, wishing she understood the way I felt. That every minute with her was one I cherished with everything I was. That her happiness meant more to me than my own. “You are perfection.”

She huffed out a breath. “Hardly.” She looked away from me, but I dragged her face back with the tip of my finger.

“You. Are. Mine. You hear me, Viv?” Her eyes widened, her body both tensing and melting into me all at once. “Nobody puts down my girl. Nobody. Especially not you.”

“Mitch, I…” She shook her head.

“I'm not asking you to say anything,” I told her, trying to alleviate her fears. “I know it’s too soon. I know how hard this is for you, going behind people's backs like this. But you are mine, Vivian. You are mine. I need you as much as you need me. All I ask is that you stay. Be with me. Let me help you feel. Let me take you to all the places you've never been before. Please, say you’ll stay.”

Without a word, Vivian gave me her response. Her lips pressed against mine. Her mouth opened to me, nipping at my lips, accepting my tongue. Her hand slid down my side, her gentle touch awakening me the way only she could. I rose as her fingers caressed my skin.

“Take me,” she whispered against my lips. “I need you. I don't want to go.”

I slid a hand between us and teased at her swollen nub. Her moans made me throb. Her hand teased drops of pre-cum from my dick. The roll of her slick hand down my length was too much. I needed to fill her.

Without a word, I got up and hovered over her back. Lifted her hips and rubbed my cock between her folds. She spread her legs, raising her beautiful behind into the air.

I wanted that too. Wanted everything about this woman. Wanted to claim her, hold her, be with her every minute of every day.

Sliding inside her slick pussy, I dragged back out and wet my thumb on her juices. Then I teased her. Rubbed my thumb against the sensitive skin of her ass. Listened to those gasps as she squirmed against the pleasure. I sensed the fear there in the stiffness of her back.

Didn't want to hurt her.

Just wanted to make her feel.

As I slid my cock into her wetness, I pressed my thumb inside her ass. Her body tensed as she took in the new sensation. But I showed her. Showed her how good it could feel when she let go. When she gave in to her needs and let someone else take control.

Needed her to feel me. My lust. My love. My addiction.

I rocked into her, gently, slowly. I pulsed my thumb against her, drawing out moans from her beautiful throat. I took my woman. Made her mine. Left a little of myself inside of her as she burrowed deeper inside of me.

Someday the world would know what she meant to me.