Page 130 of near

My mouth finds the peak of her breast, and she gasps, fingers tangling in my hair. I lavish attention there until she’s writhing beneath me. Only then do I kiss lower, over the flat plane of her stomach and along her hip bone.

Gemma’s thighs part for me eagerly. I settle between them, grasping her legs to drape them over my shoulders. She’s glistening, ready for me. I place kisses on her inner thigh before caressing her with my tongue.

Her moan is instant, hands flying to clutch at the sheets. I work her relentlessly, guided by every hitch of her breath and arch of her back. It’s not long before her thighs are trembling, body taut as a bowstring.

“Elijah... please…”

I’ve been suffocating these last days without her, my Gemma, my light in this dark world.

I shift, bracing myself above her on one elbow. Our eyes lock, and I press into her slick pussy, slowly filling her. Gemma’s lashes flutter, lips parting. I groan at how well she takes me as if we were made for each other.

My thrusts start deep and unhurried. She wraps her legs around my waist, tugging me deeper.

“I love you.” I bury my face in her neck, breathing her in.

She clings to me, meeting each roll of my hips. “I love you, too.”

My gem.

Slowly, I increase the tempo of my thrusts, going deeper. Gemma’s breath catches, and her nails drag down my back. I hiss at the sting, slamming my hips harder in response.

She cries out, head falling back to expose the elegant line of her throat. Seeing her like this, open and wanting only me, fills me with a fierce, primal need. Unable to resist, I dip my head and sink my teeth into the tender skin at the curve of her shoulder. Gemma clenches around me, moaning my name.

Her body tenses up, climbing higher. My own need builds until each thrust is wild, uncontrolled. Gemma’s thighs quiver, her slick pussy clenching, and I reach between us, finding the place that makes her come undone.

She screams, shattering around me. The feeling of her pulsing and clenching catapults me over the edge right after her. I spill deep inside with a guttural groan, continuing to rock into her as we ride out our releases together.

When the last tremors fade, I gather Gemma against my chest and roll onto my back so she’s draped over me. Her hair tickles my skin as she nuzzles into the crook of my neck with a content sigh.

After a moment, Gemma props herself up on her elbows to look at me. Her cheeks are still flushed, green eyes bright. My little gem is alive again.

She brushes back a lock of hair that’s fallen over my forehead.

“He’s threatening to go after my family if I don’t do what he says. He has some documents, bank statements, I think, with my name written all over them.”

So that’s why she lied and said she chose Oliver. To protect her brother.

“You should have told me. I would have protected you both.”

“I was scared. Scared he’d hurt you too.”

I lift her chin so she meets my gaze. “I’m not afraid of Oliver, and your brother isn’t either.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I need you to be honest with me from now on. No more secrets.”

She nods, sniffling. “What happens now?”

“Now, I keep my promise. I won’t let him touch you again.”

“But how? You don’t know Oliver like I do. He won’t let me walk away.”

“You let me worry about that.” I cup her face in my hands.

“There was another woman. You need to help her, too. Please.”

I frown, confused by her words. “What other woman?”

---