Page 40 of Small Town Secrets

She chuckled and tipped her head back, expecting he might kiss her neck, only for him to capture her hips and drag her closer. She gasped, as he plunged into her, her next breath escaping on a satisfied moan.

He took her hard and fast, his hand pressing to the back of her head and driving her into an urgent kiss that spoke of something deeper than lust. She panted for air, but clung to him in search of more contact, her need rising to impossible levels.

He pounded into her in greedy reply. Every thrust ignited a new wave of pleasure that left her begging for release against his unrelenting kiss.

She couldn’t take the pressure building in her any longer and nipped at his lower lip. He gave a frustrated grunt and crashed into her with punishing force, his desperation feeding hers, until she veered her mouth to the side of his neck and bit down harder.

He groaned and tightened his grip on her hips, as she clawed into his wide back and clenched around him. The pleasure-pain combination sent sparks throughout her body, and she released a muffled cry, even as she bit into him again. He threw his head back and swore under his breath, his shuttered eyes saying he liked this too.

He thrust faster still, riding out her release. She found space enough to lean back, but that only lasted as long as it took for him to wrench her to him with a growl that vibrated through her body. He gave her increased aggression, pushing her further and further. Like she’d had her turn, and now, he wanted his

Her body trembled around him. At his unrepentant command. At his inescapable need. A new climax built inside her and he engulfed her senses until nothing made sense. Never before had she wanted someone so much. Over and over again. Like every night could be just like this one. And she still wouldn’t have enough.

That realization swallowed her whole and she melted into him, conceding he could take what he needed, because she needed it just as much. Maybe more.

He seemed to read her thoughts. Or maybe he mirrored them. All she could do was cling to him and gasp his name as he pulled her down with him on a roar of need and release.

He held her there for a while and neither one moved. Not until his chest shook against her on an elated chuckle. Like he reveled in the humor of getting so swept away with her.

She leaned back and gripped his face in one hand, repeatedly kissing him hard, gratitude swelling within her and compressing on her heart in a strange and achy feeling. She felt light and heavy all at once. Thankful for him. For this. For the levity he brought at a time that should be doused in misery. While a deeper part of her always questioned how long it would last.

For now, his arms still circled around her waist protectively and he gave no indication of wanting this to end. So, she happily stayed like that. Until his phone rang on the counter by her left hip.

She peered down at the thing and laughed at the bad timing, only to look back to Adrian and the new frown pulling at his face. His gaze switched from his phone, back to her. “I have to answer that.”

Though her heart sank, she understood who he was and what he did, and gave a shaky nod. He kissed her one last time and put space between them, leaving the room and taking his phone and a towel with him.

Emptiness engulfed her and she stayed on the counter, just peering about and trying to decide what to do next. All she could do was adjust her hem and find her feet.

Adrian’s mumbles traveled from down the hall. She followed the sound to the living room, keeping herself pressed to the hallway wall, truly not trying to eavesdrop so much as escape the loneliness of his sudden exit.

Attempting to drown out the details of his conversation, she caught a glimpse of him in profile, the towel he’d taken from the bathroom now wrapped around his hips. He held a worried look and scrubbed a hand over his face. His uncharacteristic pacing over the room’s thick, shaggy rug, unfortunately prompted her to catch his final few words.

“Thanks, anyway. You’re right, it’s not the news I wanted.”

Twenty-Four

“Has something happened?”

Adrian turned at the sound of Laila’s shaky tone, her expression slack and denoting worry. He’d thought she’d stayed in the bathroom. Far away from him and the news he’d just received. But there she stood. Asking a question that was everything he didn’t need right now.

“Not exactly.” An ache formed in his chest because he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her anymore, which meant the rare and incredible exchange they’d just shared was about to burst like an overripe piece of fruit.

Her brows wrinkled together, and she drew closer. The ache within him intensified. Time was up. When all he wanted to do was protect her from the pain that came with knowing the truth.

“Well, that sounds totally reassuring.” Her voice rose with an attempt at humor, her ensuing small chuckle not all that unconvincing.

She stopped behind the fabric couch across from hims and leaned a palm into the back cushion, still wearing her alluring red sundress from the day. “Is it another work secret you can’t tell me about?”

Her unrelenting stare bore into him and the heaviness in that look pulled his lips into a frown, meanwhile he glanced over to the giant glass sliding doors leading out to the back porch. Where they’d only tonight enjoyed a happy ‘family’ dinner.

So much for happy families…

Whitney had literally embraced him and filled him with his first taste of belonging outside of his own family. Then he and Laila made love with a level of honest intensity he’d never experienced before.

Wanting to maintain the peace, but aware he couldn’t keep her from inevitable hurt, he released a sigh and gave her the benefit of his direct stare again. “It’s not a work secret. It’s about you and Whitney.”

Her lips parted, before a more hardened air added tension to her face. “What did we do?”

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