Page 40 of Before I Loved You

“Hey, man,” Paul says, walking up to Nate, looking like utter perfection in a pair of dark jeans and a white fitted T-shirt, showcasing his muscular biceps. A few silver chains hang around his neck, swinging with each step he takes. His eyes move over everyone as he smiles until he sees me. Those deep chocolate eyes lock onto mine, and I can’t help but feel disappointed when his smile falters. “Hey, Sarah.”

“Hey,” I say softly, pulling nervously at the hem of my dress. Heat flares up inside me, feeling his gaze on me, but I look away, wiping away at an imaginary piece of lint on my stomach.

“Next,” the bouncer calls for us, and Natalie grabs my hand, pulling me inside with her.

As we enter the bar, Nate says, “I’ll go grab the booth in the back.” Natalie and Jason walk with him while Vanessa makes her way over to the bar.

Leaving me and Paul to decide which way to go.

The booth or the bar?

I feel Paul’s presence behind me. It’s intimidating, but in the best way because I know what this man can do. I was lucky enough to experience it firsthand on a night I wish I could live over and over again.

But I can’t.

Even if I want to.

And I really want to…

But maybe one dance wouldn’t cause any harm.

So, instead of choosing the booth or the bar, I make my way to the dance floor, squeezing through the crowd of people until I find a free space to move around. The DJ changes the song to something upbeat and stimulating, and I let my body sway with the beat, closing my eyes and allowing myself to get lost, even if just for a moment.

It doesn’t take long for a solid body to attach itself to mine as Paul’s large hands slide over my waist and hips possessively.

And God, it feels so damn intoxicating.

“Why does it feel like you’re hiding something from me?” he asks, his lips brushing against the shell of my ear.

I momentarily freeze from his question before regaining my composure, pressing my ass harder into the front of his jeans, feeling the firsthand effect I have over him. His body molds together with mine perfectly, his hips moving sensually in sync with my own.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My hands glide over his, interlacing our fingers and bringing them lower on my hips, where his fingers dig into the noticeably short hem of my dress.

“I think you do know, but you won’t say.” His fingers scrunch the fabric into his fists as he presses his lips across my neck.

I lean my head against him, loving the feeling of his body supporting me upright.

I could fall at any second, and this man would catch me like it was his only mission in life.

And somehow, knowing this, I feel free.

Free to fall.

At this moment, I don’t think about the fact that I’m being blackmailed into staying away from him, keeping me from telling him I’m pregnant with our baby.

I just feel him.

And it feels really fucking good.

“Tell me what you want, Sarah,” he whispers, his voice low and sultry.

A subtle mist of smoke fills the dance floor as a fog machine in the corner turns on, covering the floor in a thick cloud.

“I want…” No. Want isn’t the right word to use. I peek around, seeing people nearby, but notice everyone is in their own little bubble. No one is looking at us. “I need you,” I admit, taking his hand in mine and gliding it between my legs.

The second his finger traces the center of my thong, I fold into his chest as my knees buckle.

“You’re soaking wet,” he groans in approval. “Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed this pretty pussy?” His hand cups me firmly, making me moan out a sound that is, thankfully, lost in the music surrounding us. “How much my cock has missed being inside you, making you come over and over again as I watched you fall apart in my arms, looking so goddamn beautiful?”

---