Page 53 of Wine & Whiskey
Even with her red, splotchy face, she’s beautiful. And devastating in her sorrow. His stomach churns at her pain, mimicking his own that neither sweat nor whiskey can alleviate. He rubs a towel over his damp hair, uncertain how to answer this unexpected question. “I don’t know.”
“All this time you’ve been going to Jason’s and you could have worked out here.”
Confused as hell, he keeps the conversation going, trying to figure out what she’s leading up to. All he wants is to fix this, make her stay, lay her down in his bed. Not discuss his exercise routine. “I guess so. But I’ve always worked with a trainer once or twice a week to help me keep on track.”
“This wasn’t a few times. You came every day.” She points at him, her voice shaky with accusations. “You got up early and drove all the way out there every day when it would have been so much easier to stay here.”
He nods. “You’re right. It would’ve been.”
“Then, why did you do it? Why did you come to Jason’s?”
Now, he understands. Weeks of daily workouts provide the final proof of his love and commitment to her. He almost smiles at the simplicity of it. “You know why.”
She shakes her head, as though seeking confirmation, needing to hear the words.
No hesitation is required. He’ll gladly tell her. “To see you. If I worked out at Jason’s then I could see you. I would do anything to be with you.”
A groin-tightening smile lights up her face, the tears evaporating as she reaches out to take his hand. Fighting every desire pouring through his veins, he forces himself to step back.
“Don’t.”
Darkness mars her expression, the sparkle gone from her eyes, slaying him with her pain at his rejection. Never once has he thought about refusing her, never believing he could say no to everything he’s ever wanted. But too much is at stake, including his sanity. If he succumbs to her temptation, he can’t go back, unable to survive the loss of her sweetness.
“Not if you don’t mean it. If I touch you, I’ll never be able to let you go.”
Her eyes burn with longing as they bore into his. “I don’t ever want you to.”
Every nerve in his body flames, raw and desperate. He has to have her.
The towel drops to the floor as he yanks her to him. Their bodies and mouths crash together, invading, demanding, devouring. He fists her hair and presses his lips across her jawline and down her neck, nuzzling the silky hollow of her throat, tracing her pounding pulse with his tongue. Her hands scorch his skin like fire running down his back, grasping the waistband of his shorts and pushing them down. He draws back long enough to kick them off his feet before pulling her dress over her head and throwing it on the floor.
Her hands coil around his neck and her mouth finds his again, panting against his lips. Scooping her up, his groin almost detonates at her legs wrapping around his waist. He walks her to the bed and lays her back, covering her trembling body with his own, skimming over her bra before resting on her satin panties. She lifts her hips and presses against his hand, making his heart pound harder than he thought possible. “I need you.”
Bunching the thin fabric in his fist, he rips the bikini before lowering himself on top of her. Her fingernails dig into his back as he thrusts into her, burying his head in her shoulder. “I love you, Shae.”
She clings to him as his ferocity takes over. He can’t get enough. Driving deeper and harder into her soft core, he relishes the silky smoothness of her skin against his, the intoxicating sweetness of her flowery scent. She gives herself to him, and he’ll never let her go. He cradles her head and pulls her tighter to him, almost lifting her off the bed.
“Nick?”
He stills, loosening his grip at the hint of uncertainty in her whisper of his name. She cups his face and brushes her lips against his, sharing the same electrified air. “You need to let me catch my breath.”
Pain pierces his chest for losing control of himself when she needs his gentleness. Scanning her face, he searches for signs of fear. “Are you okay?”
Her fingertips singe his skin, trailing down his temple and across his jaw. “I just wanted to get you out of your head and back here with me.”
Guilt steals the oxygen in his compressing lungs. Refusing to allow her to think this is just about sex, he kisses her gently before resting his forehead against hers. “I’m here, sweetness.”
“Good.”
“I’m sorry if I was too rough. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Her eyes twinkle as she smiles, releasing his lingering doubt. “I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”
A growl rumbles in his throat as she pulls him back down to her lips. He glides into her, slowly matching the rhythm of her lifting hips. Even with his restraint, she responds to his surging passion, her back arching to let him fill her completely. His body shakes, losing the battle to control his pace, fearful of overwhelming this petite woman, less than half his size, who trusts him with her body and her heart.
Her lips brush against his ear, her ragged breath searing his skin as she whispers. “I know you love me.”
With her confirmation, he lets go, plunging into her over and over, holding her tightly as she shudders and cries out his name. All his pent-up fear and pain evaporate with his release inside her. She belongs to him now. Everything he’s ever wanted but doesn’t deserve is right here in his bed.
