Page 63

“If you don’t want me to, just say so, and I’ll leave.”

He teases my entrance. “Oh. My. God.”

“What do you want?” he asks.

He reaches around my breast and pinches my nipple. “I want you to fuck me in the ass,” I moan.

Did I just say that?

He works the tip of his dick in, using more spit. “Just focus on how desperate you are right now. You know how to do this. You can take every inch of me.”

The initial pain is intense, but then he enters me, and we move together slowly. The feeling transitions from discomfort to quiet pleasure as he thrusts in and out. My body relaxes, and slowly the experience becomes incredible. I respond with ease, as if I’m accustomed to this, as if I’ve taken him before. He caresses my breast and squeezes my nipple. My eyes drift close as he fills me.

I let go, draping my body along the bed as he works my ass. He shifts and hovers over top of me, completely cradling me. My body succumbs to him. I don’t scream even though I could. I keep my moans contained as he comes undone. He thrusts a few more times before finishing, and he lies on top of me, catching his breath. My body reels as I stare outside as his cum trickles down my thighs and out of my ass.

More proof he is real.

His heavy breaths and heartbeat shift against my skin before he pulls away. I turn to face him, and he looks down at me. No mask—his golden eyes gleam in the dark, the scar vanished. He’s just as I remember, yet somehow different. More memories of him flood back. He stares down at me as I lay helpless and ruined.

Leaning down, he kisses my cheek and my mind grows hazy. I can’t keep my eyes open any longer, he just took everything out of me. “Go back to sleep now, wildling. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

As if I can’t control my exhaustion, I rest my head on the soft pillow. Sleep finds me quickly as if I never really left a dream. When I wake up in the middle of the night, the window is closed, and he is gone. The only evidence of his existence is my aching body and a sharp memory of the first time we had anal sex two years ago.

Chapter 27

There’s a heavy knock on the door before Beth pushes her way into the room. She stomps to the same window and opens the blinds. I moan at the sudden onset of light and intrusion of my thoughts.

I stare blankly at Beth, rubbing my eyes for a few seconds before gracing her with my attention. “What is it?” I mumble.

“Time to get up,” Beth chirps.

“I’m still sleeping.”

A deep sigh. “I’d like you to put yourself together. Shower and get dressed. Gabe’s coming over today, remember? He's bringing your painting. It'll help; you always feel better when you paint.”

“I’ll shower when I get up. Leave me alone.”

“Layla, it’s two in the afternoon. What is wrong with you?”

Shit…did I sleep that long?

I’ve been awake, lying in the dark, remembering what happened last night, trying to decipher if it actually happened. I was in a deep sleep when Nick came in, and I’ve already proven I can do strange things to myself while asleep.

“Nothing, I’m tired,” I mumble.

Funny how I’ve gotten so accustomed to darkness. It festers in my mind, and the darkness is where Nick lives, so light doesn’t seem worth it anymore. My soldier never came home. The memory of that heartbreak floods back, the exact moment something inside me shattered. My throat tightens, and my hands tremble. He was a good man—so why has he become a monster in my mind?

I push myself up and stare outside. The sun is indeed low across the sky, indicating midday. I must have been asleep a long time, though I swear I’ve been awake the entire time. I fold my arms and drift my attention back outside, lifting my knees. “I’m not in the mood for company today.” Especially not Gabe.

She leans against the doorframe, wearing one of her matching sweatsuits. “That wasn’t a request. Gabe will be here in thirty minutes.”

I scramble up. “What?” Jesus fucking Christ. “Gabe is coming now?”

“Please. He’s worried about you. He’s called me a few times. I told him you were sick. He’s bringing your painting. I thought that would make you happy.”

I let out a heavy groan. “Mom, what did you do?”

“This isn’t up for negotiation. He’s already on his way here. He just wants to check on you. I’m not asking you to marry the guy. Just be nice for a couple hours.”