Page 26 of Midnight & Mavericks

His chest tightened, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he tilted her chin up and kissed her, slow and deliberate as if he could show her everything he couldn’t say. She melted against him, her arms wrapping around his neck as the kiss deepened.

Beau guided her toward the bed, his hands skimming over her back, her waist, memorizing every curve. She pulled at his towel, her fingers brushing against his bare skin, and the contact sent a fire roaring through him.

When they reached the edge of the bed, she paused, her lips slightly swollen from their kiss, her breathing uneven. “Beau,” she said, her voice breaking on his name. “This feels like we might be playing with fire.”

He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “We are,” he admitted. “But it’ll be worth it.”

She laughed softly, a sound that made his heart twist. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told.” He kissed her again, this time with more urgency, more need. She responded in kind, her hands slipping to his erection, her nails raking lightly against his skin. It was his undoing.

He pulled her down onto the bed, their bodies tangling together as the world outside his bedroom faded into nothingness. Every touch, every kiss, every whispered word was a revelation, a reminder of how easy it was to lose himself in her.

She was fire and chaos, strength and vulnerability all wrapped into one. And God help him, he wanted every part of her.

As their bodies moved together, he removed the barrier of her jeans. Her panties. Beau felt a fear he hadn’t anticipated creeping into his chest. This wasn’t just about desire or attraction. It was about connection, about the terrifying realization that she mattered more than he wanted to admit.

Refusing to think about the aftermath, he pushed against his emotions

In one fluid motion, he pulled her down to his chest and rolled over on top of her, their connection still intact. Abbie pulled him down, her arms wrapped around his neck so her lips, eager and talented, could attack his adding more fuel to the growing inferno between them.

Her breasts pressed against him leaving him no room to work. He pulled away and let his hands take over. They obliged and found her nipples and he teased them first with his fingers, then with his tongue. Her breath puffed between parted lips as her head rolled back with pleasure. It was a sight that nearly sent him over the edge.

"I want to kiss every inch of your body," he whispered.

"Can it wait until we've enjoyed this part to our mutual satisfaction?"

Her words sent another surge of hot desire pumping through his erection. "So, you're saying you can't wait any longer?" He reached for her sex and found the spot he'd been searching for. Her hips pressed harder against his hand. When he denied her, she cursed him.

"Damn it, Beau." She placed her hand on his forcing him to honor her demands.

He chuckled. "You're greedy tonight."

His lips crashed down on hers and his heated kiss followed. He thrust deep with each stroke as the strength of his muscled thighs provided the power.

He slid in and out with deliberate purpose. Her body hurried to catch up where she'd left off a few moments ago and it didn't take long to bring her to that precipice under his efforts. She moaned at the sensation while he continued his sensual assault.

Sweat beaded on his brow as he sank into her again and again while holding her gaze. She clenched him tighter with her body, dragging each stroke from him until neither of them had anything left to give. Their shared cries of release fused with the damp and tangled sheets. He felt the warm rush of his release mingle with her body milking his for more.

His lips possessed her mouth in a soft, sensual, slow kiss that had him hardening again. When it was over, arms shaking, he held himself off her and lay on his back beside her. "Come here," he commanded and raised his arm. She obliged and snuggled deep against his side, resting her head on his arm. He had to admit he could get used to this.

He held her close, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her bare stomach as her breathing evened out.

“Beau,” she said softly, her voice muffled against his chest.

“Yeah?”

“This doesn’t change anything,” she whispered, her words stabbing at him in a way he hadn’t expected. “I’m still leaving.”

He closed his eyes, tightening his hold on her. “I know.”

And he did. But that didn’t make it any easier.

As she drifted off to sleep in his arms, Beau stared up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn’t silence. He didn’t know what tomorrow would bring or how they’d navigate the fallout of tonight. But for now, he’d hold onto this moment, this piece of her she’d given him, and hope it was enough.

Because when she left—and he knew she would—it would take everything in him not to follow.

Chapter Sixteen

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