Page 99 of Ordinary Secrets

I have no concerns, but if it’ll make Arella feel better... “How ’bout we get you some Plan B pills tomorrow?”

She nods firmly. “That would be great. And next time, let’s use a condom, just to be safe.”

“Okay.” I grin. “That means there’s a next time.”

The next morning,I wake with my limbs tangled around Arella’s body. It’s as if throughout my sleep, I wouldn’t allow her to get more than a breath away from me.

I still feel high from last night. When we got home, we had sex two more times before we finally passed out from exhaustion. I’m rested now, and more than ready for my next dose of her.

“Morning, angel,” I say when she stirs. Even when she’s rubbing the crust out of her eyes, she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.

“Morning, honey.”

For a few minutes, we cuddle as we go over the things we need to do today. Our two priorities are getting the backup pills and dropping off a “doctor’s note” for Arella’s daycare director. When Arella asks why we aren’t getting arealnote, I make up some excuse about how the doctor had already written one but I misplaced it in the shuffle of getting her home from the ER.

“I suppose I wouldn’t want to bother that doctor again,” Arella says with her head over my shoulder.

“I’ll write you something that’s official-looking,” I say, still holding her close. “Besides, it’s not like your boss is gonna check up on it. If she does, there’s a medical record of you being at the hospital.”

Arella trails a finger down my abs, making my morning wood harder for her. “I suppose you have a point.”

“I’ve got an afternoon photo shoot with the band at a park, then rehearsal after that. You’re cool to come with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“Good. Now, before we start our day, I need to have you again.” My hands, which were caressing her shoulder, trail down to her luscious breasts.

“So have me.”

Those three little words are all I need to break through the ropes that were tying back my inner beast—the part of me that wants to tear her clothes apart and eat her up. My mouth doesn’t waste a second to suck in her nipple, and once again, we become a tangle of arms and legs.

Right before I’m about to enter her, she stops me and asks for one of those stupid condoms. I comply because I can’t stand to be outside her for much longer. Once I roll the rubber on, I return to where I belong—on top of her.

When she orgasms, her emotions rush through me the same way they did our three times last night. I soak up every second of it until it disappears.

Out of breath, I collapse at her side, gaping at her. Whatever immunity walls she keeps up somehow come tumbling down when I make her come. Is it only possible when she orgasms, or can this happen another way? What about the orgasm makes it possible for me to sense her? Why did this only startafterwe had sex? I’ve made her come before, and her emotions didn’t rush into my mind until last night. Is it only me this can happen with, or would it work with someone else?

I don’t know the answers to any of those questions or the other ninety-some racing through my mind. The only thing I know is that when my mission ends, there is no way in hell I’m letting her go.

30

TREY

I can seewhy Arella and Javina are best friends. They complement each other well. When Javina talks, Arella listens. When Javina says something negative about herself, Arella corrects her by turning it into something positive. They laugh at the same things and know how to speak to each other without saying anything at all. It’s fascinating to watch.

We’re having lunch together at a restaurant near the park my band just finished our photo shoot at. Arella and Javina are deep in a conversation about work. Neither Javina’s girlfriend nor I have said a word in almost ten minutes.

I turn to Rachel, who’s across the high-top table from me. In a low voice, I say, “Do you think they’ll notice if we just leave?”

Rachel giggles. “Doubt it. These two can go on forever. Speaking from experience.”

After another minute, Arella hops off her seat. “I have to use the potty. I’ll be quick.”

Rachel follows her. “Me too.”

As Arella saunters away, I only have one thought:That ass is mine.Mine to touch, to slap, to squeeze, and?—

A hand smacks my arm. “Hello?”

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