Page 78 of Never Give Up

“That’s my girl.” And I stand and strip down.

Then I’m back, a familiar pressure on her body.

I press into her, and in one smooth motion, I’m home. She groans and starts to move underneath me. I meet her fervor and Maya finds bliss in my arms. Not once but twice. She’s mewling by the time she comes down from the clouds for the second time.

“Come on. You can give me one more. I know you can.”

I flip her and swat her on the ass as she complies, and she shivers, hotter than she’s ever been.

When I join her, there are no games. No holding back. I rock into her body from behind, and she meets every thrust with enthusiasm. She cries my name and begs me to go harder, faster, and to slow down and kiss her.

I roll over and let her ride me for a time. Reaching up, I hold her breasts while she bounces on my lap, taking her time. She feels the tension in my body slowly build up and increases her pace to match.

“Oh no, you don’t. Not without you,” I say. And then I pull her off me. The emptiness is almost unbearable, until I’m back thrusting into her. I look down at her, and she knows that we are both ready. “Come with me. Come with me, baby.” I grunt, and with the last thrust, she goes over the edge with me, her body clenching on to mine and dragging our pleasure out further than we have ever gone before. When it’s over, I roll off her and pull her to me. “Don’t go, Maya.” I hold her tightly, and she knows that it’s real.

“I’ll stay.” Her promise is the only thing I need.

28

MAYA

Brian’s houseis no longer a bachelor pad. For the time being, it’s been taken over by every female in my life.

Of course, the time being is the few days that the boys are going to be gone for their camping trip.

Brandi and Poppy show up first, with snacks and drinks. Lilly, the new dispatcher who’s been training for a few months, appears shortly after, insisting we go out for dinner and fun.

An hour later, we are on our way to dinner, but not before calling a cab since there aren’t any Ubers available.

After eating pizza, we head over to Lucy’s Bar. We have a blast, playing drinking games, drunk darts, and the girls even get up on the bar and dance to a country song that calls for a line dance. For the first time in a long time, I feel like myself in public. And I hold that close to my soul.

We’re having so much fun that I don’t even realize how long we’ve spent out until the lights flash above us.

“Closing time, ladies.” Parker, the woman who owns Lucy’s, calls out from behind the bar. “And next time, I expect an invitation.”

“You got it,” I holler at her with a smile on my face.

We finally head out, exhausted and giggling.

“God, I needed this,” I say to the other women as we pile into the waiting cab.

“Hell yeah, you did,” Brandi stage-whispers from the front seat, where she’s telling the driver that we’re really not this annoying all the time. “We’re going to Brian’s house, right?” She hiccups loudly.

“Yeah, he said to make sure you guys didn’t throw up on the beds though.”

“Nah.” Poppy slaps my arm playfully. “We’re gonna camp out in the living room.”

I lay my head against the cold glass of the window and then give the driver the address after he catches my eye in the rearview mirror.

“Fun night?” His question sounds weird, almost distorted, but that’s just the alcohol.

“Yep.” I close my eyes and try to keep the world from spinning the rest of the way home.

“You know there were cops and firefighters in that bar,” Lilly finally says as we’re pulling up to the house. “Someone is going to saysomethingto the guys about our shenanigans.” She holds open the door and we all get out.

I’m sure I tip the driver way too much, especially with the way he’s staring at me with wide eyes. With a wave, I turn away.

“He doesn’t own me.” I look at each of the women in turn, and then we burst into laughter.

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