Page 58 of Honor Code

Holy shit, she felt good.

As her tight warmth enveloped him, all logical thought flew from his brain. Pure instinct took over.

She was so hot and slick and ready for him, his need catapulted out of control. He wanted this woman more than anybody he’d ever been with. Straddling him, her hair all wild like that, her glorious breasts catching the moonlight, Phoenix had never seen anything so beautiful.

Right now, in this moment, she was all his.

The possessive thought shot through his head, as he gripped her waist and began to move slowly beneath her. When she moaned, he knew she felt it too. Even if it only lasted one night, even if this was it, in this one moment, they belonged to each other. Solely and completely.

He slid in and out of her, slowly and smoothly, each time burying himself to the hilt. God, she felt incredible. He increased the pace, wanting more friction.

Ellie moved her hips in time with his, her mouth open in ecstasy, her breathing erratic, cheeks flushed.

He took a shuddering breath. He still couldn’t believe she wanted him, desired him, despite what he’d told her—and now here she was, giving herself to him in the most primitive way possible.

As their tempo increased, a tightness built inside of him, and all the tension, the hurt, the guilt began to recede, replaced by a molten heat in his balls so hot it was almost unbearable.

Fuck, he was flying, higher and higher, the ache growing stronger with each thrust. He fought back a sob as he gripped onto her hips, feeling her anchor him.

She ground against him, her movements becoming more frenzied.

She cried out, desperately. “Oh, God, Phoenix!”

He drove upwards, plunging into her, every thrust a balm on his shattered soul. The pressure grew until he couldn’t stand it anymore. Everything he’d suppressed for so long mingled with his imminent release, and it was too much.

“Ellie—” He couldn’t hold on much longer. Any moment she’d send him flying over the precipice, out of control.

Her body glistened with perspiration. She clutched at his chest, riding him like her life depended on it. He clung to her, making sure she felt every inch of his yearning.

“Oh. God. Phoenix. I’m gonna come!” A few more frantic thrusts and she screamed as her body convulsed around him. Her internal muscles clenched as her orgasm hit, and she gripped him like a velvet vice.

Any hope he had of holding on vanished, and he catapulted over the edge. A guttural cry escaped him as raw, hot lava exploded inside of her. Oh, sweet Jesus. He was drowning… floundering… emptying himself into her. He was vaguely aware of her bucking on top of him as wave after wave crashed down on him.

Holy shit.

She collapsed on top of him, panting hard, as the waves of ecstasy turned into ripples, then finally, he stopped trembling.

He held her quietly, his breath mingling with hers, both of them spent. It didn’t matter that they were both slick with sweat, that she was lying on top of him on the hard floor. He just didn’t want to let go.

At that moment, he knew no matter what happened out here on the island, he had to keep this woman—his woman—safe. He had to make sure they survived, because he didn’t want to let her go. Not now, not ever.

Phoenix's eyes snapped open, instantly alert. A foreign sound had jolted him from sleep—something out of place. Unnatural. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as he peered into the inky darkness. Disentangling himself from Ellie, he sat up, every sense straining.

There it was again.

The crack of a twig snapping under a boot—his early warning sign. The rustle of leaves displaced by stealthy movement. His hand crept to the shotgun.

They were here.

Despite the precaution of extinguishing the light and positioning themselves out of view, the shabby log cabin stuck out like a beacon for their pursuers.

Damn, he thought they’d have more time. He'd assumed the densely wooded terrain would delay an attack until daylight, but he’d underestimated their prowess, or was it their desperation? Either way, someone very clearly wanted them neutralized, and weren’t prepared to wait.

“Ellie, wake up.” He gave her an urgent nudge, then reached for his shoes. "Get up and get dressed—fast. They've found us."

"What?" she mumbled groggily, then gasped as the words sunk in. "They're here?"

He gave a terse nod.

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