Page 36 of Hide From Me

“You don’t get my come tonight.” I groan and go to pull out, but she tries to lock her legs around me. I swear that’s one of the hottest things I’ve ever had a woman do, and it’sherdoing it.

“Please, I want—“

“Move them,” I order, cutting her off because if she says the words, there’s no way I’ll be able to deny her. Her eyes flicker between mine almost pleadingly as each heavy breath she takes trembles her body. “Now.”

Her whole body jerks with how fast she unclings from my body with wide eyes and her breathing shallow. I can’t help but grunt. If she can’t let me show her how much she means to me, then she doesn’t get to know what it’s like to have me dripping out of her yet.

I pull out just in time and turn, jerking myself to the edge of the hill as I come with a shudder, painting the grass below with every drop of what she almost owned.

With heavy breaths, I swallow hard and slip back up my pants. My whole body buzzes from the overstimulation of my boxers grazing my sensitive skin, making me nearly hiss from the feeling.

It really is beautiful from up here, but it’s also a torturous reminder that not everyone can have the best of both worlds.

“That's odd,” Raylen murmurs from behind me, and my shoulders tense momentarily, only for me to force them to relax again.

“You okay, baby?” I ask as I work to pick up her clothes. Once they're gathered, I finally have enough balls to look at her sitting up, arms wrapped around her stomach, legs crossed, body tense.

“This bench looks old, but there’s not a scratch, ring, or mark on it.” She speaks softly, ignoring my question. I step closer, appreciating the unguarded expression on her face at this moment. There’s no worried crease or deep contemplation in her features. It reminds me of the first time I saw her, completely unaware of the events unfolding that day—just wiping at that stupid ring.

“Arms up,” I say, trying to suppress the amusement in my voice. As I help her slip on her bra, I bring our faces close together, but I’m not dumb enough to try kissing her again. I’ve learned my lesson; it’s going to take more than just one date, where I tell her about myself, for her to truly let me in.

“Does anyone else come out here?” My little ray of sunshine prods, tilting her head to catch my attention. I place a finger under her chin to guide her back upright and trace it gently across her cheek to tuck a strand of her wild, red-streaked hair behind her ear.

“No, only me.”

“So, do you even use this thing? Or do you just not bring drinks or anything out here?”

I shake my head, my grin growing wider. I wish I understood her fascination with clean surfaces, but maybe that’s a question for another time.

“I use it,” I mutter with a nod as I help her adjust her crop top, then shift to my knees to slip her legs through her shorts.

“You are impossible! Don’t you understand, I need to know why it’s so clean?” She huffs, playfully swatting my head. But I catch her wrist gently before she can pull her hand away.

“I came out here and cleaned it when I brought the stuff–before I picked you up.”

Her brows furrow in confusion, but it’s not at my statement. My expression falls as her free hand rises, and the pads of her fingers lightly graze my broken knuckles.

The touch is so soothing and gentle that I almost believe she has the power to erase the painful memories etched into my skin.

Clearing my throat, I pull away and start to adjust her shorts. “I didn’t want you to focus on the ring marks my drinks left on it in the past.”

“I wouldn’t have judged you for being a slob this time,” she replies.

This little liar. She would’ve definitely called me a monster and probably labeled me a slob as well. But I don’t call her out on it.

“I wanted all your attention on me,” I admit quietly.

Nine

Raylen

12-10-2025

Laura's House

Go to bed. It’s late.

I fight a grin and type out a quick response.

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