Page 42 of Promise Me Never

“Fuck,” he whispers when I begin to match his movements and tighten my walls around him. “I’m not gonna last long if you keep doing that.”

He reaches down between us and circles my clit. His thrusts come harder and faster and deeper. Every time he bottoms out inside me pushes me closer to the edge. His thumb moves faster as I cry out his name with an unexpectedly strong orgasm. It built out of nowhere, setting fire to my blood and curling my toes until they cramp.

His breathing becomes erratic as he thrusts into me while his cock jerks with release. He chants my name like a prayer as he empties inside me. As he collapses on top of me, I feel his heart racing in time with mine. I can’t help but wonder if it’s like this every time. He raises his head and kisses me, a long, slow kiss that says everything we can’t let our words communicate.

Sixteen

LUKE

* * *

Imissed the feel of a woman in my arms. Eli’s body is draped over me, her long dark waves tickling my neck and shoulder while we lay there catching our breath. Knowing it was her first time though, I want to run her a bath and take care of her. I don’t want her to be sore and uncomfortable tomorrow.

“What are you doing?” she asks, half asleep when I pull myself out from under her.

“I’m going to start a bath for you.”

“That sounds nice. I’ll allow it.”

I chuckle as I stand up. She’s so pretty curled up in the messy sheets. A part of me screams to take a photo so the memory never fades. That’s something I’ve struggled with over the years, remembering the little things about both Amy and my mom. With each passing year, I find myself wishing I had paid closer attention.

I flip on the light in the bathroom, blinking at the harsh brightness. She has candles laying around the edge of the tub, so I light those and shut the overheads off. Opening the cabinet beneath the sink I find what I’m looking for, a bag of Epsom salts. I get the water heated up and close the drain, then dump a scoop of salts into the tub.

A light snore greets me when I go back out into her bedroom. I push a lock of her hair behind her ear and gently shake her.

“Wake up.”

She mumbles and tries to roll over, so I scoop her up in my arms and stand.

“I’m boneless.” She rests her head on my shoulder as I carry her in. “But I was full of your bone twenty minutes ago.”

“Christ,” I say with a laugh. “Do you ever filter the thoughts in your head before you say them?” I set her down, keeping my arm around her until she’s steady.

“Occasionally.” She yawns. “But be real, you love my unfiltered commentary.”

“I do.” I turn to leave the bathroom.

“Where are you going?” Her voice is slightly higher, like she’s alarmed.

“I’m going to let Charlie out one last time and then bring her up here.”

“Oh, okay. But you’re staying, right?” There’s a heart-wrenching amount of vulnerability in her voice. It makes me want to wrap her up and keep her safe.

“Yes, I’m not going anywhere.”

She gives me a shy smile and closes the door. Once I hear her moving around, I go downstairs and find Charlie curled up on the sofa. She hops off as soon as I pat my leg and follows me to the sliding door off the living room.

The night air is warm against my skin. Charlie does her business and then walks around a bit sniffing the trail of a squirrel or rabbit I’d guess. She comes racing back when I call her and bounds up the stairs three at a time.

As soon as she’s settled, I knock on the bathroom door.

“Come in.”

She’s piled her hair on top of her head in a messy bun. The frothy water swirls and steams around her as she looks up at me. She taps the surface of the bath water.

“Get in.”

“I don’t think I’ll fit.”

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