Page 52 of Wicked Rush

Chapter Fifteen

Tight as a spring wire, Lars leaned his forehead onto the granite tiles, letting the hot spray sluice down his hard body. He let the tension wash away as his mind raced with thoughts of the evening. They’d taken the short ride home in silence. When they’d returned, Braelynn insisted on taking a shower. Leaving her alone in the downstairs guest room, he’d locked up the house and immediately retired to his bedroom.

Lars brushed the lather through his hair, and her raw beauty flashed in his mind. His cock thickened and he stroked his palm over it, recalling how her tight pussy had pulsated around him. His little exhibitionist had blossomed in the heat of the night, trusting him to give her pleasure in front of others. Her soft moan as he’d slid into her a final time remained fixed in his mind.

Thoughts of Seth with Braelynn threaded through him, and he considered all the times they’d shared women. None of the girls had been particularly special yet, and perhaps that was why jealousy had never factored into the equation. When he’d fucked Braelynn at Altura, Seth’s interest hadn’t gone unnoticed. Had it been another woman, he’d have invited him to play. But with Braelynn, her induction into his world belonged to him, and him alone.

After they’d had sex, he’d thought putting distance between them had been for the best, but knowing she was downstairs waiting for him, the only thing running through his mind was continuing what they’d started. Lars cursed in frustration and released his erection. He wasn’t going to stroke off when he could be buried deep inside her again.

He switched off the water, and grabbed a towel. As he dried himself, a loud clank sounded from downstairs, and he wondered what the hell she could be doing. Although he’d brought a few women into his home, he’d never left one alone. Lars scrubbed his fingers through his wet hair, considering that he’d lost his fucking mind.

Pulling on a pair of shorts, he stopped short and sniffed. The spicy scent of Italian gravy drifted into the bedroom and his eyes widened. Oh hell no. She’s cooking. He’d been so preoccupied, he’d forgotten about dinner.

He took off down the hallway. As he bounded down the stairs, he slowed his pace. He caught sight of a small figure huddled in front of the gas fireplace. The flickering light flashed onto the bleached brick wall. With her back leaning against the leather sofa, Braelynn sat on the area rug, holding a glass of wine, his oversized robe bunching around her wrists.

Lars glanced to his dining room table where the candlelight from the thick decorative white pillar candles danced over the classic meal she’d prepared. Pasta. Salad. Bread. A bottle of wine sat on the edge, a half-filled glass next to it. Lars brushed his hand over his chin, angry at himself that he hadn’t taken better care of her.

“Hey, you didn’t need to make dinner. I just needed a quick shower before I…” his words faded. As he came around the sofa, he observed the trails of tears down her cheek. “Brae.”

“Lars.” Her voice trembled as she stared at the blazing logs. She sucked a deep breath, her eyes darting to meet his gaze and then quickly focusing back onto the fire.

“Sweetheart.” His voice softened as he knelt down to her. “What’s going on?”

“I can’t do this.”

“Do what?” He couldn’t be sure if she was referring to what they’d done at Altura or tomorrow’s plans to go to Bart-Aqua.

“You, Lars.”

“What about me?”

“Tonight, I…I’ve never done anything like that before. You pushed me to do things, things I wouldn’t otherwise do.”

“I’m sorry if you didn’t want to make lo…” Lars stopped short, rephrasing to avoid that word. There was no love, only fucking, he reminded himself. “It was amazing.”

“It’s not about the sex.” She shook her head, fresh tears brimming in her eyes.

“Tomorrow is going to come fast. Brae…look at me.” His palm caressed her wet cheek. Her reddened eyes went to his. “You’re leaving tomorrow, remember?” The words burned like battery acid on his tongue.

“Tonight… I’d never done anything like that before. We made love,” she whispered.

Lars took a deep breath, forcing an impassive expression as she used the word he’d avoided. Developing feelings for a woman who was leaving was one of the stupidest things he’d ever done.

“You…you…” she stuttered.

“I what?”

“I shouldn’t say it.” She shook her head and glanced to the table. “Dinner’s going to get cold.”

“You need to say it, Brae. We may not have much time…” Lars closed his eyes, emotion creeping into his chest. His gaze met hers, and he continued, “We need honesty. Tonight you gave me your trust and then…”

“And then you backed away.” Her lips tensed. She moved to push onto her feet but he reached for her arm.

“It’s true. I did, but you have to see this from my perspective. Tomorrow this all ends. We had a great time, but Brae…I can’t get attached.”

“I just thought…”

“Just thought what? You told me you’re in serious trouble. And it appears you are. This thing with us. One weekend. That’s what we agreed. If you want to stop all this between us right now we will.” He paused and glanced to the table. “No more making…having sex.”