Page 50 of The Player (Close Quarters 5)

He presses his fingers into my wetness, sliding one deep, then two, preparing me. The thought of him burying himself between my legs is like a lit match to a bonfire. It doesn’t matter how many times we come together. It always feels exciting. And right.

“We should...” He shakes his head. “I don’t have any condoms in here.”

“I’m safe.” My heart is thundering in my chest. This feels like a huge step, like trust...like stating that this isn’t casual. “I, uh, got checked after my last breakup and I’m on the pill.”

“I’m safe, too.” He presses his forehead against mine and it’s almost...tender. “Are you sure you want this?”

“I do, Rowan. I want to feel you.” I suck in a breath. “All of you.”

Rowan hoists me up and presses me hard against the tiles. When he slides inside me, I have to squeeze my eyes shut. It feels so good that my brain almost malfunctions. So good that I almost forget to breathe.

“You’re it, too.” My lips brush his ear. “The real deal.”

His hands cup my backside, digging his fingers into me, and he drives up in hard, smooth thrusts. It hits the most perfect spot. Oh, God, how can I be so close, so soon? My muscles tense and relax in quick succession.

I gasp. “It feels so strong, so...”

“Don’t fight it.” His mouth covers mine, his tongue driving between my lips. My face is wet from the spray, water droplets sliding along my cheeks and catching on my lips and eyelashes.

“Rowan,” I groan into his neck as the first wave of my orgasm hits hard, and he holds me tightly. Securely. “Don’t ever put me down.”

The rushing water and slap of skin on skin nearly drowns my words out. Did he hear them? Did he hear that little plea for more? That desperate, gasping wish for everything?

“I won’t, Em. I’ve got you.” With one last thrust, he seats himself deep inside me and comes hard, cradling my head with his hands and pressing our foreheads together. I cup his face with my palms, holding him to me.

If he’s lied to me just now, I know it’s going to shatter my heart into a million pieces. I’ve fallen for him. And now there’s no going back.

Afterward, I lean against the tiles and let him work the bar of soap over my skin. Our mouths continue to meet and it’s slow, and lazy, and wonderful. Best thing about apartment living? Our hot water never runs out. Eventually, Rowan pulls away and tightens the taps, shutting the water off.

I look at him, hair darkened and wet, eyes smoky, body sculpted to perfection... How did I end up here?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks, brushing his thumb over the edge of my lip.

“Like what?”

“Like you’re hungry and I’m a big tasty cupcake.”

“Hmm.” I trail a fingertip over his chest. “You do look like something I’d like to eat.”

“How about I make you some dinner instead?” He steps out of the shower and pulls a big fluffy towel from the rack, wrapping it around me.

I love the way he does those small, caring things—like drying me off after we shower. Like offering to make me dinner. That’s not something you do for a fuck buddy, right?

I never wanted another relationship. I’d sworn off trying to find the right guy after so many failures. After feeling like no matter what I did it was never enough. ThatIwas never enough. But I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I didn’t feel something for this man. Something budding and wonderfully full of potential.

Something that felt a whole lot like the future.

“That would be great.”

“I’ve seen you when you’re hangry... It’s not a pretty sight,” he teases, rubbing his hands up and down my arms.

I would swat him, but I’m currently doing my best impression of a burrito and can’t move my arms. So I poke my tongue out instead and he laughs. The sound makes me feel warm and whole and...not loved. But something like it.

Known, maybe. Understood.

He towels himself off and I can only watch with a hunger that seems impossible and relentless. Then we get dressed and I follow him out into the main area of his apartment.

“I picked up some salmon from the market yesterday. I was thinking of doing the crispy-skinned version. You liked it, right?” He heads into the kitchen.

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