Page 26 of Cold Hard Truth

And with that, he thrusts his hips forward, taking me deep in one stroke. Pulling out, only to push back in deeper.

He kisses my screams before they get out as he breaks that barrier. A wall crumbling that solidifies something between us.

My heels dig into the backs of his thighs as I try to adjust to the size of him. Filling me with pressure I can hardly stand no matter how careful he is. He moves slowly at first like he’s worried he’ll hurt me. Taking care of me even like this.

Sage props up on his elbows and is slow to pull back as he watches my face wince. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” I’m choking on my words, but even if it hurts, I need him to have this. “Are you?”

Sage grins, dipping his mouth to mine. “Am I okay?” He drives himself back in and pauses, a growl rumbling up his throat. “Yeah, butterfly. I’m okay.” He thrusts in again, a bit harder this time. “I’m too good, and you’re too perfect.”

My nails rake down his chest as he finds a rhythm. “Is there such thing?”

“With you?” He looks down at me before glancing to where our bodies connect. Blood and excitement streaking his cock. “Never.”

He drives his hips forward and claims me. He hits me so deep I’m at a loss for breath—for thought. Sage finds a part of me I never knew existed, and it blooms for him.

Destiny.

I feel it as he climbs over me, and I cling to him. As his tongue slips into my mouth and I melt myself against him. He’s the earth, the center. The molten hot core. We’re burning up as our bodies meld together.

And while I’m aching at his size and the depth of his thrusts, I wake up inside. My body was made for him. And for the first time, I’m sure of where I belong.

It’s terrifying. It’s disastrous. I don’t want to be the person he’ll inevitably make me, but I wantthis.

He’s waited for me, and I’ve waited for him.

I want us to stay in the good part of us. To feel this completely. The tingle creeping over my skin. The lava churning in my core. I want to sink into this moment and never let the pain breach the surface.

Sage tips my chin back and sinks his teeth into my lower lip. And I give in to this moment. To Sage. To him filling me like I’ve never been. Stretching me to my limits as his thrusts bury deep. Writing poetry on my soul with every touch and heartbeat.

Savoring like we have all the time in the world. Like all we have to give is this purity. Like we can have this.

He can keep me.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a dream we’ll never be allowed to fulfill. I’ve always been his. And as he rolls his hips and runs his thumb over my clit, I fall apart, taking him with me.

9

Sage

My legs ache, andmy hands are going numb from riding my bike for hours. But at least the past week has given me some time to think.

There’s nothing like being on the road to allow some space for the mind to find some clarity. Not that it helps when reality keeps slamming between my temples.

I fucked up.

Well—I fucked Lyla.

It’s something I’ve considered more these past few months than I was willing to admit to myself, but I thought I was strong enough to not give in.

Patience. Control.

I internally preached it.

Her father is my club’s president.

But like Lyla does, she breaks my resistance with one look. With one brush of her skin. With the feel of her lips.

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