Page 23 of Rim Shot Rebound

“It isn’t just the others. I mean, that stung, I won’t lie. Every time. Seeing you with other people killed me. But I’m not holding that against you. You had every right to sleep with whoever you wanted to when we weren’t together.”

“So what is it?” For the life of him, he couldn’t figure it out. She opened her mouth to answer, then closed it. When it was clear she couldn’t find the words, he took her face in his palms and said, “You were always enough. I have always loved you, Kelsey. And I will always love you. Whether you give me another chance to make this right or not.”

She took his hands in her own and removed them from her face. “Love was never the problem.”

“No, it wasn’t. I was. And I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for that, if you’ll let me.”

She looked deep into his eyes, like she was trying to discern the truth in his statement. And he stared back. Letting her see everything. Whatever she wanted to see, it was hers.

Satisfied with her search, Kelsey leaned forward and kissed him. It was a small kiss. Affectionate. Grateful. The comfortable kiss of two people who’ve known each other for a very long time. It meant everything to him. If that was the only kiss he ever got from her again, it was worth it.

She looked at him again, then leaned forward for another kiss, this one lingering much longer, but still soft and tender. He inched his body along the piano bench, closer to her, and wrapped a hand behind her, holding her steady, fearful she might run. She opened her mouth wider and welcomed him. The lingering tang of lemon candies on her tongue sparked through his mouth, awakening all of his senses with a rush of awareness.

He was kissing Kelsey.

Kelsey was kissing him.

And she was making it incredibly difficult to remember his plan to take things slow.

He slid his other hand up the curve of her neck and grazed his thumb over the cool, smooth skin there, kissing her with a hunger fueled by so many lonely days without her. She returned his attention with passion of her own, gripping his shirt and holding him against her with a desperation that matched his.

As their hunger for each other grew, they pulled and yanked at each other’s clothing in between greedy kisses. He reached up and threw his flat cap across the room while Kelsey unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off. Then he pulled her T-shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor so he could get his hands back on her. He caressed her supple stomach and sides, every inch of her that he’d been denied when they’d been apart, reveling in her shivers at the soft, gliding touch of his fingers.

She grabbed his face with both hands and held him there, kissing him long and hard, their tongues intertwined as their mouths pressed against each other. When he slid both thumbs beneath the wire of her bra and grazed the underside of her breasts, she pulled back from their kiss and took in a long gasp of air, staring at him like she hadn’t done in so long. They’d had sex several times after their breakup, but there’d always been a sadness in her eyes. In his own, too, probably. They’d tried to medicate with each other, and it never worked. But this time they weren’t trying to mask pain. This time she was his again. And by God, he was hers for as long as she’d have him.

He gave her a light kiss on the lips, then kissed down her neck and shoulder. He lingered there and kissed along her collarbone as they fumbled from the bench to the living room floor. He kissed down her chest while he reached behind her and unhooked her bra. Her skin still held a hint of the spices from the crawfish boil—he could almost taste the kick of cayenne as his tongue and lips moved over her skin.

They were normally so talkative and playful, but this was different. There was a reverent silence between them this time. A silence he didn’t dare break.

Even without words, she confirmed that she wanted this as much as he did. Once she removed the last of his clothing, she lay back onto the carpet while he slipped on a condom, then she eagerly helped guide him inside her.

But something wasn’t right. She grimaced, and he froze.

“I’m sorry. Does that hurt?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s just…” She looked lost.

“Do you want me to stop?”

He started to pull away from her, but she squeezed his arm. “No, wait. Let me try something else.” She nodded to the side, and they rolled over together. He let her take the lead, as she straddled his legs and positioned herself just right until she slid down and filled herself with him. This time, her face softened with pleasure.

“Better?” he asked, hoping to heaven the answer was yes. She was so wet now, and his cock throbbed inside her.

She closed her eyes and tossed her head back as she moved against him with agonizingly slow strokes along the full length of him. “So much better.”

It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen, Kelsey on top of him, experiencing pure satisfaction, her body naked and glowing under the soft twinkle lights in his living room. He gripped her thighs and watched her move, wishing he could freeze this moment forever.

But time passed too quickly, and the speed and fierceness of Kelsey’s sudden wave of pleasure surprised both of them. She pressed her hands hard against his chest as she tightened and spasmed around him. He followed her over the edge a moment later and embraced her as she collapsed on top of him.

They lay there in stillness and silence for a few minutes that felt like a lifetime. A lifetime he wished they could live together, just like that.

He held her close, grazing his fingertips along her bare back while they matched their breath. Only the hum of the air conditioner echoed through the room.

Too soon, she rolled to the side and placed a tiny kiss on his ear. While she slid on her panties, he couldn’t help think how nice it was to watch her do that move. Watching her do anything half-naked was something to appreciate.

Anything except slipping on her T-shirt and jeans.

“You aren’t going to stay?” he asked.

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