Page 25 of The Spark Between Us

"More than I should have," he admits, his thrusts becoming more forceful. "For longer than I should have."

My head falls back as pleasure builds inside me, a tightening coil that threatens to snap at any moment. Grant's lips find my exposed neck, trailing hot kisses down to my collarbone.

"Grant," I moan, my nails digging into his shoulders. "I think I'm going to—"

"Let go," he urges against my skin. "I've got you. Always got you."

That simple promise—that he'll catch me, that he'll be there—sends me tumbling over the edge. Wave after wave of pleasure crashes through me, making me cry out his name like a prayer.

Through the haze of my own release, I feel Grant's rhythm falter, his thrusts becoming erratic as he chases his own pleasure. With a deep groan that might be my name, he pulls out, his release spilling hot against my thigh.

For several moments, we stay locked together, foreheads touching, breathing heavily. His arms remain firm around me, supporting my weight easily as my legs tremble from exhaustion and aftershocks of pleasure.

"Are you okay?" he asks eventually, his voice a gentle rumble.

I smile, still dazed. "I'm perfect. That was... beyond anything I could have imagined."

He presses a tender kiss to my forehead, then my cheek, then finally my lips.

"No regrets?" he asks, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

"None," I assure him, meeting his gaze steadily. "You?"

A shadow crosses his face briefly—reality beginning to intrude on our private bubble. But then he smiles, small but genuine. "How could I regret something that felt so right?"

The classroom is quiet except for our breathing, which gradually slows to normal. Neither of us seems eager to break apart, to end this perfect moment of connection.

"What happens now?" I ask finally, voicing the question that hovers between us.

Grant's hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower lip tenderly. "I'm not sure," he admits. "But I know I don't want to go back to pretending I don't feel what I feel for you."

My heart swells with hope. "And what do you feel?"

His eyes soften, the guard that's usually there completely lowered. "More than I have words for," he says simply. "More than I thought possible."

It's not a declaration of love, but it's honest and real and exactly what I need to hear. We have time for the rest—for figuring out how to navigate the complications, for finding the right words for what's growing between us.

For now, it's enough to know that this wasn't just physical for him, that I'm not alone in wanting something more.

"We should probably get dressed," I say reluctantly, glancing at the classroom door. "Before the janitor gets the shock of his life."

Grant chuckles, the sound warming me from the inside out. "Good point."

He helps me down from the desk, his hands lingering on my waist before he reluctantly steps back. We dress in silence, stealing glances and small smiles that speak volumes about the shift in our relationship.

As I smooth down my sundress, I can't help but marvel at how different I feel—not just physically but emotionally. Something has settled inside me, a certainty I didn't have before.

Whatever happens next, whatever complications we face, I know one thing for certain: Grant Walker is worth fighting for. And fight I will, if that's what it takes to keep him.

As if reading my thoughts, Grant steps close again, fully dressed but still radiating an intimacy that makes my pulse quicken.

"You realize this changes everything," he says softly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I lean into his touch, savoring the casual affection he now allows himself to show. "I'm counting on it."

Epilogue - Grant

One month. One month of stolen kisses in empty hallways at the station. One month of "helping with the dishes" after crew dinners at Brock's house—opportunities to brush against each other in the kitchen while everyone else sprawled in the living room watching whatever game was on. One month of late-night texts and early morning coffee meetups conveniently scheduled before our shifts aligned.

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