Page 86 of Rivals Next Door

Perplexed, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

Her cheeks flushed. “Nothing… I just can’t wait any longer…”

“Greedy girl,” I hummed as I made my way back up her body. “I never could deny what my princess needs.”

Her blush intensified, but she pulled me to her and wrapped her legs around my waist.

I needed no further invitation, and I captured her lips in a heated kiss as I slowly entered her. My movements were slow as I savored the feeling of her body against mine and the way her tight sheath welcomed and held on to me. I felt completely consumed by her, and I didn’t hate it.

Her hips began to move with mine and her soft moans made me lose the hold I had on my control. As much as I wanted the moment to last, to keep the intimate connection, I couldn’t hold on any longer. That was what Olivia did to me. She robbed me of my control and made me succumb to her completely.

The intensity of my emotions mixed with the sensations of being connected to her like this was almost overwhelming and that spark of fear flickered to life. Would I always be wary of her hurting me again? I buried my face in her neck to breathe in her scent, and it helped me push aside the worry clawing its way to the surface. This moment and a possible future together was what I wanted to focus on.

Olivia’s arms tightened around me and my groan of satisfaction was muffled since my nose was still buried between her neck and shoulder. The way she held onto me, with that touch of possessiveness, made me hopeful that perhaps she was thinking about us together again as I was. Her nails dug into my skin as her walls tightened around me.

“You’re close,” I whispered in her ear.

She held me tighter and moaned in response.

“Let go, Liv. I’ve got you.” I wanted to tell her I didn’t mean just in that moment, but hopefully, every day moving forward.

She gasped and then she fell apart in my arms. I held her trembling frame as I let go too. I plunged into the ecstasy of an orgasm and also into the terrifying decision to forgive Olivia and move on from my past hurt to be with her.

Reluctantly, I pulled away and collapsed beside her. For a while, we lay there, catching our breaths until I couldn’t bear not to touch her. I pulled her against me and planted a kiss on the top of her head as she curled up at my side. I felt more relaxed, basking in the afterglow of pleasure, even as I geared up to tell Olivia what was on my mind. However, I felt her entire body tense. It was as if the relaxant named sex had worn off.

Although I had sensed the change in her, I was surprised when she shuffled out of my arms and sat up. I gazed at her with furrowed eyebrows. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing… I just…” She cleared her throat and let out a little laugh but I didn't detect any humor in it. “What was that all about?”

“What was what all about…?” I watched her closely with concern because the color was seeping out of her face.

“You know…” She waved a hand. “You were more affectionate than usual. You just…”

Held her as if she was something precious to me again… That’s because she was. However, I didn’t come right out and say it because that uncertainty had reared its head.

“You know what?” she said. “It doesn’t matter. It was just sex as usual.”

“Well, Liv…” I sat up and rubbed the back of my neck. All I had to do was tell her that she was wrong and that I wasn’t sure when it happened but things became more than just sex between us at some point.

“We can’t do this anymore,” she whispered.

I froze. “What?”

Tortured eyes collided with mine but quickly skated away. “We can’t do this anymore. This… us… I mean…” She took a deep breath. “We should have never gotten here, Alex.” She waved to encompass my bedroom and us in bed. “It was a bad idea, and I can’t do it anymore.”

I gawked at her because there I was gathering the courage to tell her that I wanted more with her and she was ready to end things. It was like a full circle moment. I’d tumbled back into love with her, but it was one-sided.

“It’s all gotten too messy.”

Her words penetrated my hazy mind, which had taken a trip back to the night she dumped me. I blinked to bring her back into focus as she scrambled off the bed and scurried to her dress that was on the floor.

When she stepped into the garment, I fully snapped out of my trance of disbelief. Maybe she’d gotten freaked out about our intimacy. I had to give her grace because I’d freaked out multiple times since we started sleeping together.

“I know things have gotten complicated,” I said evenly.

“Beyond complicated,” she muttered as she clutched her stomach.

I stared at her hand with mild confusion. Maybe she was feeling sick again. “Are you feeling okay?” I asked.

---