Page 53
There. Just a little more, and…
“Blake!”
Her core tightens then convulses, her eyes close, and her mouth opens in a silent cry.
A rush of wetness coats my fingers. Once again I wish I could throw out the condom and feel her against my skin. I’m halfway hard again and wonder if she’s up for a second round.
But as I rub my nose against her soft cheek, I notice it’s damp.
I pull up to look down at her. Her eyes are still shut but tears are streaming down her face.
“Amelia? Are you alright?”
She shakes her head and wriggles her body as if to get out from underneath me. I let go of her head and push myself up, hating the moment when I leave the warmth and protection of her body. But that disappointment is quickly overshadowed with concern.
She practically jumps off the bed, straightening her dress down into place, before hiding her face with her hands.
“It’s okay.” I reach for her, but she pulls away from my grip.
“I need to go.” She looks around at the floor, then bends down to pick up her underwear.
“Wait,” I plead. “Please. Tell me what’s wrong.”
My gut churns. She regrets sleeping with me. She still wants Ethan.
Well… I can’t be that surprised. Still…
“I can’t.” She averts her eyes like she can’t look at me right now, and I ignore the tightening in my chest. “I have to go.”
She puts on her shoes.
But her hair is disheveled, her dress is twisted, her face is covered with tears, and her eyes and nose are puffy.
I can’t let her go out like that.
“Wait. Please.”
She’s halfway to the door. I grab her arm, but again she yanks it out of my grip.
“Amelia, please. Look at you. You can’t go out like this. You can’t let them see you like this!”
She stops and looks down at herself, then back to the door.
“Please. If you need time alone, just go into the bathroom. Clean up. When you come out, I’ll be gone. Just push the door shut behind you and it will lock automatically. Okay? Take your time. I won’t come back until you’re gone.”
“Right,” she cries, more tears falling down her face. “If that’s what you want.”
To protect her? Yeah, that’s what I want. I can’t stand the thought of her running into Ethan, or worse, Charlotte, when she’s so vulnerable.
“It is.”
She turns around and walks to the bathroom door.
“There’s shampoo and body wash in the shower, and towels in the cabinet under the sink.”
She nods and sniffs as she opens the door and disappears inside.
Feeling like the worst piece of shit, I finally yank off that condom, wipe myself off on the bedsheet, and dig for clean clothes in my closet. It takes me five minutes to dress and get out, slamming the door behind me so Amelia knows she’s alone and safe now.
