Page 72 of Savage Rose

“Scarlett, what are you doing to me?” His breath heaves out near my ear, his lips grazing my cheek.

“The same thing you’re doing to me, I think.” I let out a little moan as he thrusts again, changing the angle.

His hand slips between us, rubbing my clit in swift circles.

“Ah. Fuck, Xander.” My back arches right off the bed and my entire body tenses with my impending release.

“That’s it. Come for me, Scarlett.” His mouth dips down, licking over my collarbone right before he takes one of my nipples into his mouth. He sucks hard on the aching bud, fingers working at my clit as his cock drives into me over and over until I’m a shuddering, quivering mess.

The coil low in my belly unravels. “Xander!” I cry out as I let go, my pussy clenching around his cock. Wave after wave of pleasure rolls through me. I’m delirious with it.

He groans and fucks me harder until he stills, his muscles taut with tension as he comes, pushing deep inside me. He collapses on top of me for a few moments, his face buried in my neck. Aftershocks of my release still pulse through my core at random intervals. His sweaty body against mine is everything—I want to experience this exact feeling of contentment over and over again.

Finally, he takes a deep breath, propping himself back up over me on his forearms. Staring, his deep, dark eyes never leave mine, and an involuntary shudder moves through me. He lowers his mouth, taking my bottom lip between his teeth, and bites gently—just like the very first time he hauled me into the boys’ bathroom. He’d told me then to be afraid of him. My heart gives a bold thump, and I nip right back at his lips. He chuckles and presses a kiss to my lips. “Be right back.” He pulls out of me and heads for what I assume is his en suite bathroom.

My gaze follows his broad back, firm ass, and well-muscled legs until he’s out of sight.Holy shit that was good.I didn’t know it could be like that. My muscles are loose and I’m a little sore, but in all the right places. And most important, my heart is full, wondering what’s ahead for us. I think there are some pretty strong feelings growing between Xander and me.

Xander returns, giving me a full-frontal view of his delicious body, and I can’t help but think I want him all over again. He pulls back the covers, and we slide under them together, him on his back, me curled up to his side.

I trace my fingers over the ridges of muscle on his abdomen, letting my mind drift. I swallow, suddenly needing some answers. “Xander?”

He shifts, looking down at my upturned face as he strokes his fingers over my back. “Yeah?”

“Well, I was just wondering. Um. So, I know from what you said your dad was abusive toward you and your mom and that’s why she left with you. I was just thinking that she must be awfully strong to have walked away.” I chew on the inside of my mouth for a second. “I mean, your dad—” I stop. “What I’m trying to say is that outwardly, I’m sure your family looked perfect to everyone. I was just thinking that it must have been hard to admit what was happening—even if only to herself, you know?”

His chest fills with a deep breath, and he holds it for a few seconds, as if he’s contemplating what to say. I know it’s a sensitive subject, but I wonder if I’ll understand Xander better if we talk about it.

When he blows the breath out and still doesn’t say anything, I pat his chest. “It’s okay. I understand it’s hard to talk about. I have my own crap. I get it.”

He shakes his head, holding me closer. “That’s not it. I want to be able to talk to you, I just—” He sighs. “It’s pretty complicated. She’s definitely happier now. And Janie has been a huge bright spot in all of our lives.”

“And your dad? I take it you don’t want anything to do with him.”

“Fuck no. I really, really don’t.”

“Yet he’s right here in the same town, married to another woman.”

“Yeah. My mom actually tried to warn Marilyn away, but …”

“Didn’t work, huh?”

“Nope. Marilyn’s both weak and selfish. She was wooed by his money and the lifestyle he could give her.”

I frown. “That’s a rough exchange if he’s treating her the same way he did you and your mom.”

“She stays with him because of what he has, not who he is.”

“And obviously you don’t get along with Justin. Is there forced family interaction or…?” I let that dangle out there, unsure if I should have brought up Justin at all.

He grits his teeth. “Nah. I only see my father when he summons me. Otherwise, I steer clear. And I don’t want anything to do with Justin. I think he’s fucking jealous that we got away and his mother has trapped him in that life.” He heaves a sigh. “At this point, everything that scared me about my dad isn’t an issue. And Mom—she’s safe enough here. With me.”

My brow wrinkles. That’s an odd way to put it. I don’t know what to say, so I decide to change the subject.

I push myself up to sitting. He gives me a quizzical look as I ask, “Can I show you something?”

His forehead creases at the nervous tone in my voice. “Sure.”

I press my lips together and scramble from the bed, quickly locating my phone in the back pocket of my jeans. I stand at the edge of the bed, phone to my chest as I watch his face, waiting for any indication that he knows what I’m about to show him. Not seeing any, I take a deep breath and blurt out, “I don’t know what to make of these text messages I’ve been getting.”

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