Page 44 of Madness

Lord, help me. I believe him.

24

NFWMB

DAKOTA

The pale light of dawn is just beginning to creep through the curtains when I stir awake. For a moment, I'm disoriented, but then I feel Lauren's warm body pressed against mine, and everything clicks into place. I'm in her bed. It's tour day.

I glance at the alarm clock on the nightstand. 5:17 AM. We've got maybe an hour before Roman wakes up, before the day truly begins, and I have to leave.

Lauren shifts in her sleep, her dark hair splayed across the pillow like spun silk in the dim light. I trace the curve of her shoulder with my fingertips, marveling at how quickly she's become essential to me. How am I supposed to leave her for three months?

As if sensing my thoughts, her eyes flutter open. "Dakota?" she murmurs, voice thick with sleep.

"I'm here," I whisper, pulling her closer. "We've still got a little time."

She nods, understanding passing between us without words. Her hand finds my face, thumb stroking my cheek as she leans in to kiss me. It's soft at first, tentative, but quickly deepens into something more urgent.

We both know what this is - a goodbye, a promise, a moment to hold onto during the long weeks ahead. As I lose myself in Lauren's touch, I try to memorize every detail, every sensation. I want to carry this moment with me on the road, a talisman against loneliness and temptation.

Lauren's lips grow hungrier and more insistent. Her body arches against me, skin warm and soft under my roaming hands. I trace the familiar curves of her hips, her breasts, savoring each touch as if it's our last.

The scent of her fills my nostrils - a mix of her lavender shampoo and something uniquely Lauren. I breathe her in deeply, wanting to memorize this smell, to carry it with me on the long nights ahead.

"Dakota," she breathes, her voice husky with desire. "I need you."

The sound of my name on her lips sends a shiver down my spine. I don't need to be told twice. In one fluid motion, I roll her onto her back, settling between her thighs. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer. I can feel how ready she is, how much she wants this – wants me.

When I finally push into her, we both gasp. The sensation is overwhelming, perfect. I start to move, slowly at first, then build to a steady rhythm. Lauren meets me thrust for thrust, her nails digging into my back.

"God, Lauren," I groan, burying my face in the crook of her neck. The taste of her skin is intoxicating as I trail kisses along her collarbone.

She responds by clenching around me, eliciting another moan. We move together, finding that perfect sync we've discovered in the short time we've been together. The room fills with the sound of our ragged breathing, punctuated by soft gasps and groans.

A fleeting thought of the tour flashes through my mind, but Lauren's touch quickly pulls me back to the present. Right now, there's only this - her skin against mine, her breath hot on my neck, the powerful rhythm of our bodies moving as one.

I can feel Lauren getting close, her breathing becoming more erratic, her movements more frantic. I slip a hand between us, finding that sensitive spot that drives her wild.

"Come for me, baby," I whisper in her ear. "I've got you."

She does, spectacularly, biting down on my shoulder to muffle her cries. The feel of her pulsing around me sends me over the edge, and I follow her into blissful oblivion.

As we come down from our shared high, I hold Lauren close, our bodies still entwined. The room is quiet except for our gradually slowing breaths. I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, tasting the slight saltiness of sweat on her skin.

"I love you," I murmur, the words slipping out before I can stop them. It's the first time I've said it, and for a moment, I tense, wondering if it's too soon.

Lauren pulls back slightly, her dark eyes searching mine. A slow smile spreads across her face. "I love you too," she whispers back, and the relief and joy that flood through me are almost overwhelming.

We lie there for a few more precious minutes, trading soft kisses and gentle caresses, until the harsh beeping of the alarm clock shatters our bubble.

Reality crashes back in.

Tour day.

With a sigh, I disentangle myself from Lauren and sit up. "I should get ready," I say, my voice rough.

Lauren nods, sitting up as well. She wraps the sheet around herself, suddenly looking vulnerable. "Yeah, I need to get Roman up soon anyway."

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