Page 86 of Crazy for You

“Did you just come in your sleep, sweetheart?”

She sucked in a breath then laughed. “I think I did. And I think you helped.”

“I’d say I was more of a spectator,” he said with a laugh of his own.

Her cheeks turned pink. “That’s maybe a little embarrassing.”

“Are you kidding? It was sexy as hell.”

She reached down and wrapped her fingers around his aching cock. “Maybe I can return the favor?”

“I wouldn’t say no to that offer.” He closed his eyes, unable to contain a groan as she slid her hands up and down his cock. She kept her movements painfully slow at first, and he fisted his hands in the sheets, desperate for more. He pumped his hips against her, increasing the pace, too far gone to hold back.

She tightened her grip and stroked faster, harder, until all he could feel was the friction of her skin on his and the need rising like a tidal wave inside him. He swore as he broke, coming in several hot spurts against her belly.

“Fuck.” He clutched her against him, his body still tingling with aftershocks.

“Not a bad way to wake up,” she said softly.

“Not bad at all.”

They finally made it out of bed—where he indeed took her against the wall in the shower—then dressed and headed out for food and some more sightseeing before they visited Arlington National Cemetery.

They got bagels and coffee and walked past the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. Despite his usual dislike of sightseeing, he had to admit this was pretty cool. So much history here. And really, the truth was, he seemed to enjoy anything if Emma was at his side.

They had a late lunch at an outdoor café then found a flower shop where Emma picked out an arrangement to bring to Derek’s grave. Their festive mood had sobered somewhat by the time they hopped on the Metro, which took them under the Potomac River to the cemetery.

Emma didn’t stop at the welcome center for a map. Instead, she struck out down the network of paths and roads through the cemetery by memory. The sheer size of the cemetery was humbling. Row after row after row of fallen service members, as far as he could see in every direction.

Large trees grew amid the tombstones, and the green grass beneath their feet was meticulously tended. Birds called overhead. Along the edges of the field, flowers bloomed brightly. It was reassuring, somehow, to see nature so alive here, a visual reminder that life went on, even in the face of such enormous loss.

Emma slid her hand into his and squeezed. She had on a blue sundress, which had seemed fun and flirty while they were playing tourist but took on a more somber look now. She led him down a row of graves and stopped before the white tombstone bearing Derek’s name. She bent to place the flowers in front of it. He hooked an arm around her shoulders as they stood together in front of Derek’s grave.

He had such a vivid memory of standing beside her like this ten years ago at the funeral. She’d been so stoic that day in a black dress meant for someone much older than her seventeen years, refusing to let her tears fall until after the crowd had left. It had been just the two of them then, too. She’d sobbed on his shoulder, and he’d promised he would always be there for her.

He’d promised Derek he’d never sleep with her. Maybe she was right when she said that Derek hadn’t been looking this far into the future when he’d warned Ryan away from her, but standing here right now…

He felt like the worst kind of asshole.

Coming here with Emma today had been just the wake-up call he needed, a solid slap in the face to remind him of what Derek had sacrificed. Of the promise Ryan had made. Of all the reasons he never should have taken her in his bed.

A funeral was in progress on the other side of the cemetery. Emma leaned into him, glancing in that direction. “I hate what those people are going through right now.”

“Yeah.”

“You never could have convinced me of it at the time, but the heart really does heal,” she said softly. “It doesn’t hurt nearly as much now.”

“I’m glad.” He knew what she meant. The pain of losing his mom had faded, too. It would never go away altogether, but visiting her grave felt almost peaceful now.

“Thanks for coming here with me.”

“I’m glad I got the chance.” Still feeling as though Derek was looking down on him from somewhere up high, he dropped his arm from Emma’s shoulders. It was for the best she’d be leaving town soon.

Because deep down, he knew she should never have been his.

20

Everything seemed to be happening in fast forward after they got back to Haven. Emma was working long hours, between putting the finishing touches on the memorial garden and handling her other projects with Artful Blooms. Everything had to be finished this week.

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