Page 58 of Forever Touched

He suddenly braced himself against the tiles and choked out my name. Myrealname. The sound was so raw, sovulnerablethat I felt utterly exposed to him. And, for once, I didn’t hate the feeling. I basked in it, allowing myself to fully share this intimate moment with someone Iwantedto share it with.

“Almost there,” I crooned against his back, tightening my grip so I could stroke him faster. He tensed all over, his chest heaving as I brought him closer and closer to orgasm. Knowing he was about to come, my stroking turned feverish.

At the last second, just as he was about to spill his release, I squeezed him.Hard. A muffled shout left him. He violently jerked against my hand, shooting out an impressive stream of cum. Pleased with myself for giving him such a good orgasm, I continued to stroke his cock. Even when he was fully finished, I held on to him, enjoying the feel of his afterglow.

Still breathing heavily, he finally turned and drew me into his arms. His body was warm and slick against mine, filling me with contentment. When he tucked me against his chest as if I belonged there, I closed my eyes with a self-satisfied smile.

“Like it?” I whispered, even though I knew he had.

“It was amazing,” he said, pressing his mouth to my hair. “You’reamazing.”

My smile widened.

I didn’t know how long we stood there in each other’s arms, but Everett suddenly said, “You’re still in pain.”

My eyes fluttered back open. “What?”

“You’re in pain,” he repeated, sliding his hands over my back as if to search for injury. When he started to pull away, I tightened my arms around him.

“I’m fine, Everett. It’s only a few bruises. There’s no need to worry.”

“No, that’s not it. There’s a deeper ache.” When he pulled away again to look at me, I swallowed a disappointed whimper. “Something that’s causing you to shake.”

“I’m not shaking,” I started, then stopped when he grabbed one of my hands and lifted it. Sure enough, it was shaking.

I quickly snatched it away.

“Adalyn.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just hungry. Low blood sugar gives me the shakes.”

He caught my chin, so gently that he managed not to disturb my bruises. “Look at me, Adalyn.”

Knowing I couldn’t hide this from him, I met his gaze with a sigh. As he searched my face, I saw the moment he figured it out.

“You’re addicted to venom.”

With another sigh, I pulled my chin from his grasp. “I’m not proud of it, but in my line of work, it can’t be helped.”

He didn’t say a word for several moments. Then, “I didn’t see the signs.”

“I’m good at pretending, remember?” I gave him a bitter smile. “Revealing an addiction makes me look weak, and I’m already weak enough as it is.”

“You’re not weak.”

I laughed, but the sound held no humor. “Yet here I am, battered, bruised, and shaking from withdrawals. Not to mentionhidingfrom my responsibilities. That doesn’t scream weak to you?”

“No. All I see is a survivor, a rather brave and resilient one. And you’re not hiding. I took you away from a dangerous situation, one that I hope you won’t return to.”

I looked away, but not quickly enough.

He swore. “How could you think about goingbackafter what youjust went through?”

As his voice raised, I stiffened, wiping all traces of emotion from my face.

“Wait, what just happened?” he pressed, reaching for my arm. I forced myself not to flinch away. Feeling how rigid I was, he swore again and let go. “You just disappeared on me, Adalyn. Why? Tell me what you’re hiding.”

When all I did was stare at him, he squeezed his eyes shut with another curse. After a long moment, a sigh fled him and he slowly reopened his eyes.

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