Page 48 of Strike Zone

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m just feeling self-conscious.”

“You shouldn’t. Your body is perfect.” It’s different than the last time he saw it and felt it beneath his fingers.

“Please, just for tonight.”

“Whatever you want. Tell me what you want.” I slip out of his grasp and turn and place my hands on the bed, offering myself to him. My head is spinning. “I can’t see your face.”

“You can see it next time. I just want to feel you deep inside me, Linc. All of you. I need that tonight. Please.”

He doesn’t take me by force or with the disconnect that normally comes with this position. Instead, he slowly steps behind me, running his hands up my quivering legs, pressing an open-mouthed kiss to my entrance before standing and letting his erection spring free of his pants and boxer shorts.

“I’ve missed you, Diana,” he says as he slides his cock inside me. It’s one long fluid motion, gentle but commanding, firm, and all-consuming. When he’s seated to the hilt, he rests his hands on my hips. “Fuck… you feel even better than I remember.”

God, he’s right. I’ve been dreaming of the way he filled me, but it’s a pale imitation of this. My memory is black and white compared to the glorious Technicolor of this moment. I’m seeing stars as he begins to move, slowly thrusting inside me, circling his hips with expert precision until my arms begin to shake. “Oh God, Linc.”

“You need to keep the volume down. We’re not alone in this house.” His voice is distant as if he’s at the end of a tunnel. Heat begins to rise in my cheeks so fast it’s like an inferno, enveloping me, pulling me into darkness before I know what’s happening.

Then, everything goes black.

Silent.

* * *

“Diana, can you hear me? Shit, please say something. I should go get Brooke or your mom.” Every muscle in my body screams in exhaustion, protesting any form of movement. I attempt to open my eyes, but overwhelming nausea stops me in my tracks.

“No.”

“Thank God, you’re awake.” It takes me a few moments to get my bearings. I’m in my bed under the covers with Linc hovering over me.

“What happened?”

“You passed out. We need to go to the emergency room.”

“No, I’m fine.” I’m mortified.

“You’re not fine. I need to get Brooke in here.” Worry is etched in his brow, marring his masculine features.

“Don’t. Please. How would we explain why we were in here together?”

“I don’t care. You’re ill, Diana. Getting you to a doctor is all that matters. They can stake me through the heart if they want, as long as you get the proper care.”

“They’re drunk. If we slip out, they won’t even know we’re gone. We’ll be back before they wake up in the morning. It’ll be like it never happened. Please, Linc. They’re really overbearing, and I don’t like being at the center of their attention.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“Can you drive? How much have you had to drink?”

“I’m okay. I didn’t drink the second glass your dad brought me. A certain someone left me sort of dumbstruck.” At times like this, Linc has an almost goofy charm that’s so damn cute I can hardly stand it. It could make a girl fall. Hard.

“Okay, so we go to the emergency room, and they won’t know we’re gone.”

“If I feel like we need to call them after the doctor checks you out, then I’m doing it. Take it or leave it.”

“Fine.” I shift over to the side of the bed, but I’m light-headed the moment I try to pull myself up into a sitting position. Taking a few deep breaths, a wave of nausea washes over me, and I stumble into the bathroom in nothing but my hoodie, only making it to the toilet bowl with a second to spare, losing what little dinner and dignity I had left.

Linc runs in after me. “Jesus, Diana. Have you been sick this whole time?”

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