Page 81 of Chasing Sarah

That’s what I am. Completely, utterly boneless.

I swear sex with Rhys only gets better with time. I feel as though my soul connects with his. He reads my body better than any other man before him.

I lift my head from his shoulder when he comes to a stop in the ensuite. Setting me on the countertop, he grips my face in his hands and kisses me lovingly.

“Don’t move.” He meets my eyes and stares until I nod.

He turns the level, filling the bathtub. After testing the water,he undresses then strides toward me. I flush the moment he scoops be back into his arms and climbs into the warm water.

My back settles against his chest. His fingers brush my shoulder as he moves my hair to the side. I shiver when I feel his lips press against my flesh.

He chuckles lightly at the movement.

“Cold?”

I shake my head, unable to speak.

The contrast between gentle, playful Rhys and animalistic, sex-crazed Rhys makes my head spin. He has so many layers to him, and I seem to fall more and more for every single one.

Tommy’s advice about being careful of who I give my heart to suddenly appears in my mind. I am giving him pieces of my heart, aren’t I?

Falling in love with him wouldn’t be so bad. Right?

It’s clear as day that he feels more than lust for me. Could I show him that I feel it too?

Rhys cleaning my skin with a soap covered loofah breaks my thoughts. I decide to embrace the intimacy between us – just this once – and lean into his touch.

* * *

It’s been several days since I’ve been to work.

I let Bones know some things in my life were going to shit and needed time to straighten it out. Now that Paige and I are settled into a new norm, I think it might be time to head back.

Bones and Karley didn’t reply to me when I let them know I’d be in tonight. Hopefully they don’t tell me they don’t need me. I’ve been dipping into my savings and it’s starting to show.

Rhys headed out this morning when he got a call from Declan and he’s not back yet. I’d hoped to see him before I left but I don’t have time to wait around anymore.

My phone chimes, notifying me about my Uber. Once I’ve made sure I have what I need, I shoulder my bag and head out.

The ride is long thanks to the evening traffic. Classic New York. Once I get close enough to a subway station, I’ll just take that the rest of the way.

“Ugh,” I groan and drop my head back against the seat.

The driver glances at me through the rearview. “Sorry, ma’am.”

“You don’t need to apologize. Not your fault.”

Finally, traffic begins to crawl its way forward and we’re eventually making some headway. I change my mind about getting on a subway and enjoy the ride for what it is. When we pull up to the bar, my heart stalls. In big bold letters, the wordsPermanently Closedare on display on the entrance.

“Ma’am?” My head swings to the driver.

Shit. I forgot he was there.

Scrambling, I pay him and exit the car. My heart thumps against my chest with each step. Despite it being useless, I reach for the handle and tug. The thunk of the lock sends a pang of hurt and betrayal through me. Hurt because the bar I’ve worked at for years has shut down. And betrayal because not one person felt I was important enough let know the bar was closing down.

It’s a slap in the face reminder of why I don’t get close to anyone.

Silly me for thinking I meant something to the people I’ve known for the past 3 years.

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