Page 57 of Grand Escape

“I’m going to ...” was all I could say before shudders took over my body, claiming every single one of my senses. A warmth spread through my veins, radiating everywhere in my body, and then a chill ran up my spine at the thought of never feeling this again.

“Fuck.” Adam moaned softly as he came after me, his whole body shaking while he stayed inside me.

My hand smoothed down his body, running over his firm ass as he kissed me hard. Our lips met in wild abandon while he rode out his climax. Finally collapsing on top of me, he rolled to the side, squeezing the condom and then rolling it off.

“Be right back,” he whispered before disappearing into the bathroom.

When he returned, he held a warm washcloth. After attending to me, he dropped the cloth to the floor before lying down next to me and tugging me into his side. I wanted to hold on to him forever as I brought my fingers down to his belly, tracing his happy trail while his hand gently stroked my back.

Sadly, we didn’t have forever. We only had the next few hours.

Eventually, we ate, pretended to watch an eighties movie, and enjoyed each other’s bodies a few more times until it was time to say good-bye.

At two in the morning, Adam muttered, “Stay the night.”

I shook my head. “Ad, it’s time to say good night and good-bye. Let’s just say it now, okay? It won’t be any easier in a few hours when you have to leave.”

We were lying face to face on our sides, but my eyes sought somewhere else to look other than his. This was harder than I’d imagined it would be.

“Rylan—”

I shook my head. “No. Tonight was perfect. Let’s not ruin it.”

“I want to hear you call me Ad forever,” he said softly. “Meeting you has been my greatest memory of this year. The last few years.”

“Exactly. I’m a memory—a good one—but keep me there in your head.”

When Adam mentioned memory, I ran with it. I knew he didn’t mean it that way, but it was easy to pretend that I took it that way.

With a chaste kiss on his cheek, I stood up and dressed quickly, then sat next to him on the bed. Placing my finger across his lips, I shut down any further arguments.

“Don’t,” I warned him. “This was amazing, but now it’s over.”

“Don’t say that. This isn’t the end. Ry—”

“I have to go. This is my life, right here, at a hotel. People are temporary guests in my life. It’s what I wanted, how I wanted it, and you have to respect that.”

I was lying about what I wanted, but it wouldn’t be the first time. I’d wanted to go to an Ivy League school, but on my own terms. Instead, I came here, keeping anybody I met at arm’s length.

Why? I hated feeling like I owed them a damn thing. It never ended well, with both parties neither happy nor satisfied.

Truth was, I’d like to keep Adam, but on my terms. It was the spoiled little rich girl in me, I guessed. Or the broken soul. Who knew?

“Rylan ... please.”

“You’re a good guy, Adam. I’m glad you found a sliver of peace. It will make me happy every time I think about it.”

“But you’re the reason.”

Determined to argue with me, he ran a hand through his hair. The crinkles were back around his eyes, making him look more like the heartbroken soul I met the first night. It destroyed me to think I was the reason for that.

“You just think that now,” I said, then swallowed the emotion building in my throat. “I swear, it was all you. Now, go and live your life. Knowing you’re doing that will make me happy.”

I placed a quick kiss on his cheek and hurried toward the door without looking back. I couldn’t give him another glance or a chance to respond. If I did, I’d give in, say yes to whatever he might offer me, and find myself living in Michigan, dangling like a puppet from a million strings.

That wasn’t the life I’d created. My life was devoid of feelings and attachments.

But when my feet hit the path to my villa and a lone tear fell from my eye, I knew I wasn’t as tough as I’d thought.

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