Page 136 of Unleashed

He gave a teasing grin. "You’ll just have to wait and see."

For a moment, it was easy to forget the distance that had grown between us, easy to lose myself in the warmth of the candlelight, the effort he’d put into this dinner. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was temporary—that Michael’s texts would be waiting for me later, pulling me in a different direction. As Slade poured me wine and raised his glass, I forced a smile, not ready to face the decisions that lingered in the shadows.

Slade groaned, his breath hot against my neck. "Shit, Morgan, you're so tight. It’s been too long."

"Harder," I demanded, my voice muffled as I buried my face into the pillow. "Slade, harder."

His hips slammed into me, the sharp sound of skin meeting skin filling the room. His fingers dug into my sides, a rough grip that sent a shockwave through my body. I hated how easy it was to give in to him—how he knew exactly what to say, what to do, to break down my defenses.

Dinner had been a seduction from the start. All my favorite dishes, and then that damn chocolate cake. I should've known the moment he fed me a slice, my willpower would crumble.Now, here I was, twisted in his sheets, letting him claim me all over again.

I clenched the bedsheets, nails digging in as Slade moved inside me, his rhythm steady and unrelenting. It had been weeks since we last had sex. Weeks since I’d let myself even think about it. Exhaustion had taken over, mentally and physically. I hadn’t even bothered with my vibrator; it buzzed so loud I worried Erika and Lincoln, who lived only a few blocks away, might hear.

Slade suddenly stopped moving, just when I was on the edge. My breath hitched as frustration clawed at me. He bent over, kissing a slow line down my spine. "I missed you," he whispered, his voice a rough growl that vibrated against my skin.

"Please," I whimpered, teetering on the brink.

His hands moved from my back to my breasts, fingers finding my nipples and pinching them lightly. I gasped, squeezing around him involuntarily.

"Easy, baby," he hissed, "unless you want me to come. I want this to last."

"I’m so close," I pleaded, breathless.

Reluctantly, he let go of my breasts, lifting his weight off me before he started moving again. I squeezed my eyes shut, chasing the release I desperately needed. A few more strokes, and I was unraveling, coming undone beneath him. My body shuddered as I shattered into a thousand pieces, a mix of relief and pleasure flooding through me.

Slade pounded into me a few more times before he grunted, his body tensing as he followed me over the edge. He collapsed onto the bed, still inside me, his warmth pressing against my back. I let out a soft sigh, the tension in my muscles slowly ebbing away.

“That was incredible,” he panted, his breath hot against my neck. “Stay with me tonight.”

His words lingered, tempting me. Staying with him was so easy to fall into, but Erika’s voice echoed in my head, warning me to keep my distance. She’d tear me apart if she found out I gave in so easily. She wanted me to leave Slade—to divorce him—and I was still wavering, standing on the line between walking away and staying.

“It’s not a good idea,” I murmured, my voice tinged with guilt.

Slade pulled out of me and rolled to the side, frustration simmering in his voice. “Why not?”

I sat up, drawing the sheet around me as I tried to collect my thoughts. "I don’t even know if sex was the right choice. We haven’t resolved anything."

“I’ve admitted I was wrong," he snapped, the edge in his voice unmistakable. "I’m making changes. What more do you want from me?”

“Everything,” I said softly, turning to face him. “I want to make sure this isn’t just a temporary fix. I need to see real changes, Slade. I’ve come back to work, and I’m here with you tonight. That should count for something.”

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. “Those aren’t changes, Morgan. You belong here. We’re married.”

“Slade, please," I whispered, my voice tight with emotion. "Just give me time.”

“Fine,” he bit out, his jaw clenching. "But I need a commitment from you soon."

I narrowed my eyes, feeling the sting of his words. “Is that a threat? I’m your wife, not some girlfriend you can give ultimatums to.”

“I’m just telling you what I need,” he shot back, his tone defensive. "Don’t listen to rumors."

“Rumors?” My chest tightened as I studied his face. “What rumors, Slade?”

He hesitated, a flicker of something—guilt, perhaps—crossing his features. “Nothing serious. Just the usual office gossip.”

I crossed my arms, feeling the weight of something unsaid between us. "Is that it? Or is there more you’re not telling me?"

He looked away, and for the first time, doubt began to creep in. Was I missing something? Had I been ignoring the whispers in the office, too focused on our problems to hear what was being said?

---