Page 210 of Dare To Live

“I’ve been in your bed all week.”

I kiss along her jaw. “I know ... but tonight is different.”

Her sigh is a warm caress of air against my cheek. “Because it’s our last night here.”

“Because it’s our last night here.” I repeat the words back to her.

“Eli, I—”

I cover her mouth with mine, swallowing whatever she is about to say, and ease her onto her back, so I can settle between her legs. She winds her arms around my neck, while we kiss. A kiss that tastes of hunger, of desire, and a little desperation.

Reaching between our bodies, I fist my dick and place it against her pussy. She’s still wet from riding me in the ballroom, and I slip inside her with ease. She moans softly, legs lifting to wrap around my hips, and I rock slowly into her.

My lips kiss a path over her cheeks, along her jaw, and brush against her lips.

“I need you to listen to me.”

“I’m listening.” Her voice is a breathless moan.

“I’m serious. I need you to listen to what I’m about to say. No interrupting, no arguing, just listen.”

Her fingers slide over my face, palming my cheek. “You want to have a conversation … right now?”

“Right now. While I have your full attention.” I circle my hips, driving my dick deeper. “I need you to hear me, Ari. Can you do that?”

“No?”

I laugh quietly. “Try.” I stroke a finger over her lips. “When you turned up at the cabin before Christmas, I was so fucking angry. With you for walking away from me ten years ago. With Kellan for dying and leaving me. But really, I was angry with myself for letting it happen. For not fighting to keep you. For not listening to what you were telling me.”

Her lips part, and I press my fingers against them.

“No, I’m not done.” I lower my head to kiss along her shoulder. “I fucked up again in January and lost another chance to win you back. Coming here is our do-over. My chance to get everything right. My chance to remind you of everything good we had. My chance to prove that we should be together.”

“Eli—”

“Still not done.” I reach back and pull her hands away from my hair, and pin them on the pillow above her head, while I move in and out of her body in slow, languid thrusts.

“I don’t want you to say anything, okay? Just listen to me. I love you. I always have. Back when we were stupid teenagers fucking around. Five years ago, when I saw you at my dad’s funeral. At Christmas when you told me it was over. I’ve always loved you.”

She draws in a breath, and I cover her mouth with one hand.

“Not a word, Ari. I’m not telling you because I want you to say it back to me. I don’t want you to. Not yet.”

I lick my lips. This is where things are going to get messy.

“Because I love you so fucking much, I need you to do something for me. Tomorrow, I want you to go back to L.A. with Miles and Ivan. I want you away from here, away from me.”

She makes a muffled sound of protest against my palm.

“Not forever, Kitten. But I need you to think about what you want without me around, and without being weighed down by the memories of this place. Go back to your apartment and think about whether being with me is something you could see in your future, or whether you just got wrapped up in being back here.”

My lips replace my palm and I kiss her again, tongue stroking against hers, mimicking the slow and steady thrusts of my dick.

“Don’t tell me you love me, Ari … because if you do that right now, I’m not going to be able to let you go.” I lift my head. “Can you do that for me?”

This close to her, I can just about make out her features. She’s gazing up at me, lips parted and eyes wide.

“You’re so fucking beautiful … and if you tell me you love me, I won’t have the willpower to walk away in the morning. But we need to do this. Do you understand? I need you to go back home and make a decision with a clear head.” My lips find her ear. “Red or green, Kitten? Can you do this one last thing for me?”

---