Page 306 of Hide and Keep

“Not to Littoral,” I say, humoring him.

“Fuck Littoral. Your strengths weren’t being utilized there.”

“Like wrestling?” I taunt with an eyebrow jump.

I’m suddenly on my back, looking up at Crue, my stomach following a moment later apparently, giving me a brief bout of nausea. Um…

“How did you…”

The brow lift he gives me is all arrogance. “That’sa pin.”

“Good boy,” I croon with a proud smile.

Those words like a blow horn in a race, Crue pushes to his knees, removing his shirt and shorts as quick as he can. Since I’m competitive, I do the same, kicking my panties down my legs just before Crue wedges himself between them, aligning our centers so his rigid length is nestled against my pussy.

I reach between us and guide him in one-handed, making both of us groan.

Needing him closer than what’s physically possible, I cling to him, and plead, “Finish me.”

“Finish…what you started?”

“No. Finish me. Make sure you’re the only one I’ll ever think about like this.”

Crue gives me a questioning look. “If you’re worried about fantasizing about someone else with me, tell me who it is and I’ll be him for you. I want to be your everything, but I canbe your everyone, too. If you’re worried about doing this with someone else, don’t bother because you won’t. I’m the only one you’re ever going to do this with, period. I wasn’t just talking shit earlier, Ever. I’m going to marry you and make you mine forever. There will never be someone else. Not for me. And not for you. On my life, ’til death.”

Two steady streams of hot tears flow from the corners of my eyes into my hairline.

“‘Do us part’?” I quote with a shallow laugh.

Crue doesn’t so much as crack a smile, only shakes his head once.

“No, butterfly. Not even death can part us.”

He starts moving, slow and easy, dragging himself upward with each thrust to rub my clit.

“I love you,” I tell him, repeatedly, empathetically. I tell him all the things I love about him, barely getting them out between ragged breaths.

When he comes, he doesn’t just stop and hop off, he lets me roll my hips from below, grinding my clit while he professes his own reasons for loving me. I come hard and long, biting his pec to keep from screaming out.

His body shakes over mine as he breathes, “Jesus, Ever. If you hadn’t already ruined me, that would’ve done it.”

I release his skin from between my teeth and kiss the imprint. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right, little bat. You didn’t hurt me.”

No…

But I’m about to.

Itiptoe into the kitchen and open each and every cabinet. I know I found the right one when I hear the pitter-patter of paws. Gabbing a handful of treats out, I jiggle them at a very eager Zeus and step backward. He follows me easily enough, so I lead him to Crue’s room, where I put the bone-shaped treats in a pile next to Crue. Zeus climbs onto the spot I just vacated and starts munching.

I kiss him on the head, then do the same to Crue.

I love you. I love you with all of my battered heart.

Out on the front porch, I make the call.

Despite the hour, he answers on the second ring.

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