Page 109

“I can tell, too,” I manage.

He laughs, then groans and pushes his face into the side of my neck. Taking my hand, he presses it flat on the table and braces himself. His thrusts increase, harder and faster, like he can’t control himself. Yes, this is what I needed: to be fucked hard before we figure things out.

He obliges. My head is empty, even when he picks me up, pulls the rest of my clothing off, and flips me over. I sink to my back, and he slides back inside, our eyes connecting.

“God, baby, look at that pussy take my dick,” he murmurs, touching my clit.

My eyes roll back. His fingers keep working, touching where our bodies connect. It’s filthy, but there’s something sweet about it. And it’s only sweeter still when he leans in to kiss me and his hips stutter, coming deep inside me as his tongue grazes mine.

I needed this—I needed him.

He is my home, my safest place.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

JAMIE

Fucking her on the table satisfied the animalistic part of my brain. Now, I’d like to take her to bed and spend some time making sure she doesn’t forget that this is more than just sex. She knows, but I need her to feel it. In every fiber of her body.

I carry her upstairs, and we fall onto the mattress together. She grips my lapels, pulling me in to kiss me briefly.

“Don’t leave again, motherfucker,” she whispers.

I laugh, kissing her again. “I won’t, baby.”

“Stop sending me to the airport.”

“Never again. Within reason.”

She kisses me a third time and moans into my mouth, drawing me close. I sink against her body and let her wrap her ankle around my thigh to keep me there. As if I’m going anywhere else but back in her pussy. I push my pants low enough, and lift her hip and slide inside. Everything feels right when we’re like this; the endless need to go every second of the day dissipates.

I slide my hand beneath her neck, cradling her head in my palm.

“No leaving this time,” I say aloud. I need her to hear it, I need to hear it, while I’m inside her and she’s in my arms.

Her mouth quivers. I thrust gently.

“No leaving,” she whispers.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

SERENA

I can’t catch my breath when he’s done. He gets up to grab a warm washcloth and cleans up his mess like a gentleman. Then, I stretch out on my side, facing him.

“You hungry?” he asks.

“Yeah, I guess I didn’t eat breakfast.”

“There’s a diner a little ways back. I passed it when I drove here,” he says.

I frown. “How did you get here? Where’s your truck?”

“Gate was locked, so I parked outside and walked.”

“That’s dedication.”

He smiles, brushing back a wisp of hair. “Nah, not really. Not when you were on the other side.”