Page 82 of Just a Number

I bite down hard on my lower lip as his gaze turns molten.

“What do you say, Mel? One night together. See if we can work this out of our systems once and for all and move on?”

My gaze skitters away to the wall as I picture what he’s insinuating. It’s what I’ve dreamt about for months. Him turning up and the experience of being with him again.

“Do you think one night would do it?” I ask, hesitancy in my voice.

“Honestly?” His question draws my gaze back. He gives a self-deprecating smile. “No. I don’t think it will. But I have to try something. I haven’t got over you, Mel. You’re still right here.” His fist comes up to rub against his chest and a rush of air expels from my lips. “Please, let me try.”

“One night, no strings?” I clarify.

He hesitates, looking up to the ceiling. “I can’t lie to you, Mel. I don’t think this is one night. There are so many fucking strings drawing me to you. We’re knotted together, but I can’t stay away any longer. I need you.” That last sentence comes out with a growl. He sounds… needy.Why the fuck is that making my panties damp?My mind is spinning. I think I should say no to this, but right here, at this very moment, I can’t think of a good reason to. I’ve longed for this man. He owns my heart. He’s here. And he’s asking.

Chapter thirty-four

Alex

Iwait with bated breath. I’ve spilt my guts. She knows I want her, that I can’t get her out of my mind. Now it’s up to her. Is she going to refuse me? Send me packing? Fuck knows what I’ll do then. But I couldn’t wait a day longer. My initial contract finished at midday today and I could do nothing but get on my bike and drive to her. To see if she still felt the same. If she still wanted me.

She wants me.

And we both know it. But will she give in to that desire or not?

I can kid myself that one night with her will sate my need.Will it fuck.But I can only hope that if I sweeten her up with some orgasms, she’ll be more receptive to me spilling my true feelings. Of course I love her. It was never in doubt. But she doubted it. I no longer see the point in waiting a year to come back to her. The fact that she’s been on my mind every fucking day since I left. That I had to delete her number from my contacts, so I didn’t call her late at night.

“I need you. Right here.” Her words are a whisper and my heart thumps heavy in my chest as soon as she speaks them. I step close, relishing the contact as our lips meet. There’s no resistance. She’s over the shock of me turning up uninvited. And she’s in this.Thank fuck for that.

Our tongues tangle as my chest heaves, trying to draw in breath. But there’s no room for oxygen. I just want to be surrounded by her. Her hands come up to touch my chest, and I desperately need us to be naked. It’s hard, but I ease back from the kiss, opening my eyes to gaze into hers.

“Here? You’re sure?” I ask. She nods, her eyes wide open, like she’s trying to drink in the sight of me. I tug her hand and she stands up from the bar stool.

I draw her into my arms. She feels just right with her head sitting below my chin and I breathe in the honeyed scent of her shampoo.It’s like home. Her arms wrap around me and I enjoy the squeeze she gives me. Yes, my cock is so hard it’s straining against the zip of my leathers, but I also want to take a moment to savour this; having her back in my arms after six long months.

I kiss the top of her head, enjoying the sweet little moan she makes at the contact. Her hands come between us, sliding under the hem of my t-shirt. Her fingers tease over the ridges of my abdomen.

I get the shock of my life when she pushes me at the same time as she takes a step back.

“Clothes off, now. I don’t know how to get you out of those leathers, but I need you naked.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I respond as I grip the back of my t-shirt and rip it over my head. I lose concentration getting my leathers undone and down my legs when she pulls her top off and is left standing in a nude lacy bra. The cups mould over her breasts and I sneak a peek of her hardened nipples.

I need to get my hands back on her.

I need to be inside her.

I manage to tear my gaze away from her nipples and notice the tattoo on her bicep, spotting my sister's work a mile off. I’d seen the design on Laura’s socials when she’d shared it. And when she cryptically commented that I knew who it belonged to, I’d hoped it was Mel who’d given herself the gift of the message on the tattoo.

“Nice ink,” I tell her with a smirk.

“Did Laura tell you?” she asks, her head tilted to the side.

“I guessed. It suits you.” Her blush is bewitching.

I pause, eyes locked on her as she reaches behind to unzip her skirt and wiggles as she pushes it down.

Fuck. Me.

My cock strains in my boxers, making me want to reach down and grip it hard. She’s standing before me in her kitchen, wearing her underwear. And her high heels. Which I hadn’t even realised she still had on until now. She looks delectable.

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