Page 59 of Unplanned Target

All I can do is pull out all the stops and pray it will be enough.

With one hand curved at the back of her neck and the other wedged between our bodies, I set a punishing pace. One that does seem to be working, but also bounces her tits with each thrust.

Fucking hell. I should close my eyes, but I can’t. It’s impossible not to watch. Just as impossible as it’s turning out to be not to come. Grasping at the last of my control, I work my thumb alongside her clit, strumming against it as her body tenses. The relief I feel at knowing she’s close is immense.

And short-lived.

Because just knowing she’s about to come pulls my balls tight and sends me over the edge. I fight through the blinding pleasure, refusing to let my thrusts slow or my movements to stutter.

And my dedication is rewarded.

Loudly.

I manage to press a hand over her mouth just as the volume amps up to detectable levels, continuing to rock my body into hers until her limbs go limp.

“That was…” Miranda’s words cut off on a heaving breath.

“A close fucking call.” I lean up, meeting her eyes. “Next time, maybe don’t ask for my dick so nicely.”

“Okay.” Her lips curve in a slow smile. “I’ll demand it.”

Damn it. That’s worse.

And I’m positive she knows it.

TWENTY-ONE

MIRANDA

It’s a freaking gorgeous day. The sun is shining. The air is crisp.

And last night I was put through the mattress by the hottest, sweetest man ever.

Life is good.

Sure, my house is an off-limits wreck and my business is still probably ruined, but whatever. I’m not sure I really want to go back to that house anyway. I tried to make it mine and Allie’s but it still carried the stain of my failed marriage. A stain I’m really trying to allow myself to accept wasn’t my fault. At least not entirely.

I did choose poorly, but that poor choice was based on the life experience I had up to that point. I picked a man I believed would stay with me. A man who treated me like I was the answer to his prayers.

And I was. I just didn’t know most of his prayers were financially based.

My ex-husband saw how driven I was. How hard I was willing to work to get where I wanted to go. And he was at least a good enough actor to fool me into believing he wanted the same life I did.

But he never genuinely cared about me, that’s easy to see looking back. Simple to label his lack of help with our child and almost outright refusal to deal with a single household chore as a clear indicator of our very misleveled dynamic.

And it’s been especially easy to see since Owen showed up. Ready and willing to jump in beside me and tackle whatever came our way. He manages to carry most of the weight while still letting me feel strong. He doesn’t try to take over, but is always ready to help.

And the man is absolutely just as capable and giving in the bedroom.

Which is why I’m going for a walk.

I never want to be in an unbalanced relationship again. It was terrible. Frustrating and exasperating. It built resentment and killed any feelings I may have had for my ex. I don’t want that to happen between Owen and me. So I’ve got to figure out how to give him as much as he’s given me.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to accomplish that financially. Not anytime soon, anyway. Not only did I lose all my existing clients, but it seems as if I’ve been blacklisted. Where I used to get emails daily from CEOs wanting my help, I haven’t heard a fucking peep from anyone since my entire client list cut me loose.

I don’t like not being able to work, so I’m also out here to brainstorm a way to pivot. I know I can come back from this, I just have to figure out how.

And taking a walk around my old neighborhood always helped me get my head on straight. It was different from being on my treadmill. It offered fresh air and a change of scenery that always got my creative juices flowing. I’m hoping for the same sort of effect this morning.