Page 33 of Shameless

I beg him not to stop, crazy with need as I wait for his next punishing thrust.

“Lula,” his voice is tight, strained. “I’m gonna come. Please tell me you’re close?”

So, so close.

My body responds before I can, with a needy spasm that means the end for both of us.

“Oh, fuck.” Crew’s fingers press deeper into my hips as he stills.

Then his warmth begins to spill inside me and I have no choice but to follow him over the edge, with spasms of pleasure that leave me breathless and sated.

Neither of us moves for a long moment, the only sound in the room the frantic beating of our hearts.

When Crew slips out of me, I grieve his loss, feeling suddenly empty. But the feeling is short lived as he gathers me into his arms and settles against my pillows.

“I wish I could stay with you all night,” he whispers, his fingers threading through my hair in a soothing, almost hypnotic manner. “But everyone will be back soon and I don’t think today is the day to discuss our relationship with the parents.”

I hate that he’s right. “Can you stay just for one more minute?”

My voice is small, needy.

The world outside has become scarier with every passing day and Crew is my safe place.

And Stefan.

And Jules.

I close my eyes, fighting the thought that almost steals my physical bliss.

One day you’ll have to choose.

But how can I?

Stefan has always been my other half, my partner in crime, my confidant. When he kisses me and I’m in his arms, I feel like I’m home. That’s without even considering how tall and handsome he is with his short dark blond hair and his intense green eyes.

Jules has always had my heart. He’s my first crush, the sexy, slightly wild, golden boy. We share the same passionate nature and he’s proved to me that he would do anything for me; including risking his own life to save mine.

Crew has become my constant, my solid ground when everything around me is falling apart. He’s loyal and fierce. He has a hard shell to protect himself from the world, but once he lets you in, it’s impossible not to fall for his kindness, his selfless side. Our physical chemistry is off the charts. He’s as attractive as Jules and Stefan, with the tattoos that decorate his perfect body and his dominant streak in bed. He’s a bad boy with a heart of gold.

Napoleon’s barking alerts us to the fact that we’re no longer alone.

“I hate that I have to go,” Crew murmurs, cupping my throat with a large, warm hand. “Maybe next time you can come to my place? We’ll have more alone time.”

I nod, opening up to him when he kisses me so softly that the way he fucked me almost feels like a figment of my imagination. “Maybe I should go downstairs and help unload Jules’s things.” I say, unable to stifle a yawn.

“Don’t worry about it, baby. There’s enough of us to help. You’re tired, I’ll tell Tom and Arianna that the sea sickness wiped you out.”

I feel a little guilty, but I’m bone tired and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.

I nod off while Crew gets dressed and open my eyes only when I feel his lips on my temple. “Just so you know, I’m taking these with me.” The small ziplock bag with my emergency stash dangles from his fingers.

“I had totally forgotten about that stuff,” I say, and it’s true.

“Good,” Crew chuckles. “Sweet dreams, Lula. I hope you dream about me.”

A deep dreamless slumber takes me under. For now I feel safe and I have Crew to thank for that. In the storms of the past twenty-four hours, he’s been my safe haven.

8.What Lies Beneath

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