Page 85 of Out of the Cold

“Bring Lucy, too.”

He couldn’t picture being with Lucy anywhere but here on the mountain. And they hadn’t talked about what they were to each other now, never mind in the future. He wasn’t even sure how long she’d be here, only that Len had told her she could stay until May. That didn’t mean she would. What if she left as soon as her book was finished?

“We’ll see.”

“You’ll be okay for the rest of the day?” Natalie asked.

“Yeah. I’ll figure something out.”

“Okay. Love you, Gabe.”

“Love you, Nat.”

He finished his sandwich without tasting it and tried to picture himself and Lucy at his parents’ house. It wasn’t so hard, after all. But would she want to be there? As far as he knew, his days with Lucy were numbered.

He’d planned to spend the day alone. But what was the point of enforcing a solitude he no longer wanted? Instead, he showered quickly, stoked the fire, and headed over to Lucy’s cabin.

His heart was racing as he took off his winter gear in the mudroom. It often beat faster around Lucy.

He gave a quick knock before stepping inside.

She was standing near the glass doors to the deck in her robe, her hair in a bun. She turned, her smile lighting up her face. “You’re just in time. Want to hot tub with me?”

He crossed the room and took her face in his hands, kissing her with all the desire he’d banked through the day. His tongue slid between her lips and feasted on her like a starving man. Only there was no end to his hunger or his need.

He fisted his hands in her hair and tugged until her head fell back and her eyes closed. He used his strength and size in a way he hadn’t before—to overwhelm her, make her his like no one else could.

“Gabriel,” she gasped. Her hands threaded through his hair, pulling him closer and asking for more.

He parted her robe and skimmed his thumbs across the tight peaks of her breasts until her whole body trembled.

Her lids were heavy, her face flushed. “What are you doing to me?”

“Making sure you never forget.”

“But I—”

He took a nipple in his mouth, licking and sucking until she was pressing her hips into him. His hands were shaking, his need too great to prolong things. Scooping her up, he carried her to her room and laid her on the bed before pulling his shirt over his head.

But Lucy didn’t lie there passively waiting for him. She knelt on the mattress and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her tongue dove into his mouth and slid out again, dove and slipped away as her hands skimmed down his chest and over his stomach.

He shucked his jeans and boxers and climbed onto the bed, kissing her until she was on her back. He slid his fingers into her folds and found her slick and wet. He stroked her higher, needing her as crazed as he was.

She arched beneath him and spread her thighs wider. “Gabriel, please.”

He was lost. On an agonized groan, he thrust into her. Without finesse or patience, he gave himself over to his need, driving her up the bed. His gaze never left her face. He needed to see everything she felt.

She was sobbing, her nails digging into his back as she raced toward her own finish. Reaching down, he stroked her in time with his thrusts until she pulsed around him and shattered. He buried his face in her neck, breathing her in as he lost himself in her, deeper and deeper until, for a few brief moments, they were one.

***

She lay without moving, her breath evening out. Still dazed, she put a hand over his pounding heart.

“Hey, you okay?” she whispered.

“Sorry if I was too intense.” He rolled over, pulling her onto his chest.

“You weren’t. But something was different.”

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