Page 72 of Come to Me

He tilted his head up. She followed the direction of his gaze, looking up into the sky.

“No stars.” He turned his attention to her, taking in the graceful line of her neck, remembering the times he’d trailed kisses along it.

She looked at him, her expression bittersweet. He pressed his palm to her cheek, needing to touch her. Slowly, reverently, he leaned in, his lips finding hers. The moment her taste hit his tongue; he was overcome with need. The kiss cranked up in heat and fervor. She melted into him, thank God.

He was on the verge of picking her up and taking her to his bed, but again, didn’t want to presume. “Stay with me,” he whispered against her lips. He lifted his head to look into her dazzling blue eyes. “Give me tonight.”

Her fingers clutched at his shirt as she nodded. “Tonight.”

He closed his eyes. The one word was loaded with emotion. He’d have a night with this amazing woman, and then it would be over.

He took her hand, leading her back into his apartment and to his bedroom. His fingers brushed her dark hair from her face. “You’re not wearing your bandana.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I didn’t want to look like a hick.”

“You’re always beautiful.” He leaned in, trailing kisses along her mouth, her jaw, her neck. His fingers slid under her blouse, itching to feel her soft skin. She let out a long sigh as her own hands explored under his shirt. He wanted to take his time, to go slow. But need gnawed at him. He rushed, tugging at her clothes, his clothes, until there was nothing between them.

He rolled her under him on the bed, looking down into her eyes, cloudy with desire. Only then was he able to pull the reins and slow things down. This was it. One more night. He needed to savor it. Draw it out.

Her fingers traced his face, and he wondered what she saw when she looked at him. He gazed down on her, the words I love you sitting on the tip of his tongue again. But he kept them to himself. He’d use his body to express how much he loved her. Would she feel the depth of his feelings for her?

He cleared his mind of everything but her. Of touching her, committing each caress, each kiss to memory.

“Patrick.” His name said on a breath made his soar. He pushed back on his knees, pulling her up with him. He sat back on his heels, moving her to straddle his thighs.

Her hands held his shoulders. Her gaze caught his, filled with knowing and…could it be love? She settled over him, taking him inside her. Emotion threatened to consume him. Love. Grief. Not wanting her to see the latter, he put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her into a searing kiss.

Her body rocked and it was like heaven. He gripped her hips, helping her move. For a moment, he watched her. Her eyes were closed, head back as she gave in to the moment. She was so beautiful.

“Oh!” She gasped, and her body rocked faster, as she pursued her pleasure.

He gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain control so he could fully experience this moment with her. Wanting to watch when she finally went over the edge into bliss.

“Patrick…yes…” Her body arched and a long moan escaped her lips. Around him, she tightened until he saw stars. And yet he still held off. Fighting this own release so he could be fully present in hers.

It came to him that she was like the stars he’d been missing since his return to New York. Beautiful. Sparkling. Out of reach.

CHAPTER 22

The only way Micki could be with Patrick was to fully embrace him. To give into the moment and not think about the heartbreak that was about to come. Her orgasm whipped through her. She felt it in every cell of her body. She worked to hold onto the sensations. To memory of his touch. His gaze. All of it so she could keep it in her heart forever.

As the sensations dissipated, she realized that Patrick hadn’t joined her. She opened her eyes to ask him why but the expression on his face, the emotion in his eyes stole her voice. Her heart soared and broke at the same time.

She leaned in and kissed him. “Come with me.”

His kiss turned fierce, nearly feral as he lay her back on the bed. His hands pushed her arms over her head. Palm to palm, he laced his fingers with hers. His gaze was raw and real as he entered her again and began to move.

God, she loved this man. What a tragedy that their lives were such that this love couldn’t be nurtured. But she pushed that thought away, focusing only on this moment. The love. The sensations. The connection she knew would never be broken, even if she never saw him after tonight.

His body picked up the pace. Faster. Harder. Her body responded, coiling tighter and tighter.

“Michaela.” His voice was hoarse, filled with emotion. He let out a growl and drove into her, holding inside, grinding as warmth filled her. She let go again, her body pulsing around his as they shared this moment as one.

She held on to him as they moved, together until the storm passed. She nestled into his arms. Tears threatened as she contemplated leaving him again. Her parents’ words came back to her. She didn’t know if they were a part of Sydney’s plan, but she understood now what they wanted for her. They encouraged her to explore the possibility of a life outside of Kincaid Lake. She’d never felt pressured by them to take over, yet she had felt an obligation. Not just to her parents but to the resort itself. She loved it there. She wanted others to experience the wonder of nature. The peace it provided. She’d never considered doing anything else.

But maybe her parents were right in that she hadn’t experienced alternatives to know for sure taking over the resort was what she wanted. Until now, with Patrick, she hadn’t seen the need.

Could she live in New York? It wasn’t like there weren’t opportunities in hospitality here. She was aware there were smaller, more country-like communities outside the city. Were they close enough that she could enjoy the outdoors still? Would Patrick even want her to be with him? She fell asleep against him without having an answer, but thinking that maybe, this wouldn’t be the end.

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