Page 66 of I Could Be Yours

“You feel so good,” she whispers.

“Let go for me. Let me see what I do to you.” I brush my lips over hers. “So pretty when you’re coming just for me.”

She contracts around me, pussy gripping me like a fist as euphoria passes across her face. Primal satisfaction rushes through me. I make her feel this way. I give her what she needs. I’m the one who gets to see her at her most vulnerable and beautiful. My own orgasm slams through me, wiping out my thoughts, replacing them with overwhelming sensation.

I fall back against the pillows, taking Essie with me. She sprawls across my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.

“Best sex ever.” She pokes at my nipple with her tongue.

“Yeah?” I stroke her hair.

She hums and lifts her head, expression soft. “Did you have fun?”

I stroke her cheek. “So much fun.”

“Me too.” She kisses my chin. “I’m going to brush my teeth.” Her expression shifts, uncertainty making her voice pitch up. “You’re welcome to half my bed if you want to stay the night.”

“Yeah. I’d like that.”

She grins. “’Kay.” She lifts herself off me and brushes my hands away when I reach for the condom. “I’ll do it.” She removes it, tying it at the top and taking it with her to the bathroom. The door closes with a soft snick.

She reappears a minute later, still naked. “There’s a spare toothbrush if you want it,” she offers.

“Yeah, sounds good.” I trade places with her.

Neatly organized makeup lines the vanity, along with creams, hair products, and accessories. I pick up a bottle of lotion, rolling it between my fingers before I twist the top and sniff the contents. It’s the scent I associate with her. Soft and feminine. Pretty and sweet. I replace the cap, put it back in its place, and use the extra toothbrush. Then I clean myself up before I leave the bathroom.

Essie is already in bed, covers pulled up, the lights off apart from the one on my side of the bed. She pats the empty space, and I stretch out next to her. I flick off the light and shift until I feel the warmth of her body. I slide an arm under her and pull her closer. She’s wearing her nightshirt.

“I didn’t take you for a snuggler,” she murmurs.

“Usually I’m not,” I admit. I rearrange her leg so it’s draped over mine and cover the hand on my chest.

“Hmm…” She kisses the side of my neck. “’Night, Nate.”

I kiss her forehead. “’Night, Ess.”

It feels good to hold someone.

No. Not someone.

It feels good to holdEssie.

And that’s the moment I realize this isn’t just about sex. Yes, it’s out-of-this-world amazing. But I like Essie. More than like Essie. This warmth in my chest, the desire to spend the night beside her, to hold her.What if I have feelings for her?

It’s a bad idea. She doesn’t want a boyfriend. Especially not one who doesn’t believe love can last—that it’s even real, or tenable. She wants the fairy tale.

Eventually her fondness for my bad attitude will shift and prove what I know to be true: Nothing lasts forever.

And then where will I be? Alone again.

I can keep my feelings on lock, though. I’ve done it for years without even trying. I can have this week with Essie. It’s better than not having her at all. And it’s better for both of us if I keep my feelings to myself. Because everyone leaves eventually.

CHAPTER 20

NATE

“Nate.”Poke. “Nate.”Poke. Poke. “Seriously, you are the soundest sleeper in the freaking universe.” Essie shakes my shoulder.

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