Page 43 of August

“August,” she cried.

“That’s it, baby, let go.” He closed his hot mouth around her nipple, swirling his tongue. The sensations went to war, her body not knowing where to focus. The combination made her vision blur. She closed her eyes and did as he’d said, floating on waves of ecstasy. There was no end, only one intense sensation after another.

She arched her back, meeting each one of his thrusts. His back muscles vibrated beneath her palms. A guttural groan emanated from his chest, the sound savage and claiming. His cock went deeper, and each brush of his shaft against her clit sent her into a spiral.

His mouth left her nipple and came down on her lips. Wetness swarmed from her center, making his thrusts frenzied. He bit down on her bottom lip as her orgasm made bursts of light flash behind her closed lids.

He rocked into her, riding every violent ripple that shook her body. She screamed and his tongue swept into her mouth, reminding her of how he’d licked her folds moments before.

August’s movements picked up speed. His arms and back went rigid, and his breath was warm and intoxicating on her neck. He let out a deep rumble and then slowed his pace. His kisses became less demanding and gentler on her neck. The slight abrasion of his beard made her awareness fire. She giggled and squirmed as he placed another kiss beneath her ear.

“You’re fucking beautiful, Gig.”

“Mmm. Well, you’re not too bad yourself.”

He chuckled, the sound gruff and boyish. She hadn’t seen this side of him in a while. Her heart warmed, and she wrapped him in a hug. He stilled, his embrace warm in return, then slowly pulled away. “Why do you fit so perfectly?” The question sounded rough and broken, as if it’d spilled from a cracked heart.

Tears filled her eyes as her brain rushed through a multitude of answers in rapid succession before coming up empty. A lump climbed in her throat, and she couldn’t, for the life of her, free it.

He pressed his lips to her forehead and the tip of her nose. “I’ll be back in a sec.” Rolling from the bed, he got to his feet. She moved her gaze from his broad shoulders down to his narrow waist; a couple of scars blotted out the beautiful tattoo work on his back. He moved like some kind of lithe G.I. Joe, padding to the bathroom in all his glorious muscle.

Leaving her heart exposed and beating on the floor.

CHAPTER 14

August cleaned up and returned to the bedroom with a warm, wet cloth for Gigi. Approaching her side of the bed, he stared at her sated form. Her dark tresses fanned over the white pillowcase, and she’d pulled up the thin white sheet to her chest.

“What’s that?” she asked, when he passed her the towel.

“So you don’t have to get out of bed.”

She smiled. “Thanks.” She cleaned herself, and he tossed the towel in the laundry basket when she was done. Then he climbed over her and slipped back onto the bed.

“Are you going back to sleep?” Uncertainty rattled her small voice.

He adjusted the blankets and hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her back to his front. Damn, she fit him like a glove. It was as though a wall had been taken down. Or hell, maybe her body was just so relaxed she didn’t have any resistance in her muscles. Her soft, flowery scent reached his nostrils, and he inhaled as he splayed his fingers over the smooth skin of her bare belly. “Yeah, why? You want round four?”

She chuckled, the sound low and shy. “It’d be five if you count the elevator. And no, I don’t think I have enough energy to sleep, let alone go for another round.”

He nestled his jaw against her shoulder. “Then why’d you ask?”

She hesitated. Unease percolated in his chest.

“I—I didn’t know if I should go back to my bed.”

The tension dissipated like air leaking from a punctured tire. “I’d like for you to stay here.” He paused. “If you want,” he added, reluctantly.

She glanced over her shoulder and her eyes shone. Her lips lifted. “I’d like that.”

“Good.” He tucked her in closer. “Go to sleep, then.”

She wiggled her cheek deeper into the pillow. The action moved her hips, and he had to bite back a groan as his cock stirred. Stifling the fire that had been rekindled inside him, he forced himself to settle.

Brightness against his closed lids made August open his eyes. Gigi was still snuggled in his hold, her back warm and cozy against his chest. Flicking his gaze over the top of her head, he looked at the clock on the nightstand: 7:14 a.m.

Holy shit.

He’d slept a good eight hours. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept more than five. Blinking away the sleep from his eyes, he gently peeled himself from Gigi. As he tucked the blankets around her, he glanced at her sleeping form.

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