Page 92 of Beautiful Enemy

I was already close to shattering tonight, and I thought this was what I needed.

But it’s not. It’s more.

He’s over me, inside me, around me, part of me. This man I thought was the last person I’d ever trust.

I can’t think about what happened earlier. Every punishing stroke of his hips chases away my fear, his regret.

It’s another few strokes before I arch, my climax starting at my core and rippling outward, making me shudder with every movement of his gorgeous body. He moves through it, hips thrusting faster, deeper.

The pace is relentless until the moment he freezes over me, going still. His jaw clenches in anguish as his release rips through him.

I’m in awe. It’s as if I’m seeing him for the first time.

When he shifts forward, his lips brushing my ear as he groans, “Fuck, Raegan,” I wrap my limbs around him to hold him there.

After, he pulls down the covers and tucks me into bed before heading for the bathroom. I hear the sound of the sink, water running, then nothing.

I stare at the ceiling, my heart echoing in the darkness.

I feel...alive.

Instead of healing me, what we did made a new edge, bright and gleaming and raw.

The difference is this edge is exhilarating. Full of possibility.

And I’m not alone.

When he returns, reaching for his discarded clothes, the feeling deflates.

“You’re leaving?” I ask quietly.

“I have to talk to the police. Leni texted to say it can’t wait until morning.” He dresses quickly and competently, knotting his tie and adjusting it. Every motion is as smooth and natural as how he moved inside me moments ago. “I’ll be back before you wake.”

The wave of anxiety sneaks up on me, settles into a vicious knot in my chest. I press a fist to my ribs under the sheets and silently count each shallow breath. “Promise?”

His gaze flicks to mine.

I’m not the woman who needs anyone’s assurance. But now, in the dark, after what happened tonight... I’m not ready to be alone.

Whatever he sees on my face has him crossing to me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

“I promise.”

Then he’s gone.

21

Rae

I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights. I was prepared for this to be among the worst.

But when I roll from my back onto my side, the first thing I notice is warm, golden light.

The soreness creeping into my awareness is the second. The spot between my thighs aches, but so does my face.

I blink my eyes open to see pale curtains waving in the breeze from the half-opened window, beckoning me into the world.

The scent of Harrison King lingering on the pillows makes me want to press my face into the covers.

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