Page 49 of Love You From Afar

“You didn’t…”

“No,” he exhales, shaking his head.

“Let me…” I trail off, reaching my hand towards the bulge in his sweats. I’m less than an inch away from having him in my hand when he sucks in a deep breath, stopping me as he grips my wrist.

“Don’t.” One sobering word is all he gives me, but that one word is enough to make my heart sting with rejection.

Part of me thought he needed this as much as me. I thought maybe, just maybe, he’d dreamt about what it would feel like to give in just one last time. Selfishly, I want him to forget about the consequences and let me take care of him. I want to take his aching cock in my hand and watch him fall apart as I stroke his velvety skin. I would give up my morality, my sanity… my soul. I would give anything to watch him let go one more time.

“Everett, I want to.” I gently place my hand on his shoulder, but he quickly pulls away.

“Skylar, please just leave it alone,” he exhales. “I gave you what you needed, so let’s just call it a night.”

He gave me what I needed?

“Excuse me?” I scoff, feeling like he just burned me as I narrow my eyes at him. “You gave me whatIneeded? Are you really going to act like you didn’t want that too? Like you aren’t still hard as a rock? Like you didn’t just beg to watch me come?” I pull away from him, scooting back on the bed until there’s nothing but empty space between us.

Everett kicks the covers off his feet, shooting up from the bed while running a frustrated hand through his messy hair.

“Of course I fucking want it, Skylar,” he snaps, pacing back and forth in front of the bed. “I’ve wanted you for three miserable years. I wanted you from the minute I saw you.” He stops pacing before turning to look me dead in the eyes.

“But you’ve always been his. No matter what we do tonight, when we wake up in the morning you’ll still be his. You’ll still have his ring wrapped around your finger.” He gestures his hand towards the diamond resting on my finger. Reminding me of what a terrible person I am.

“Save me the guilt trip, Everett,” I scoff, raising my voice. “Youwere the one who started this years ago, not me.Youwere the one who came on to your brother’s girlfriend.” I stand from the bed, stomping towards him until I’m less than a foot away.

He steps forward, closing the distance. His chest is pressed to mine, rising and falling with rapid breaths. His nostrils flare as he flexes his jaw, narrowing his eyes at me. He takes me by surprise when he grabs my hips, slamming our middles together until I feel his erection pressing into my belly.

“Andyouwere the one who came onto me tonight,” he says through clenched teeth. “Youwere the one who just got yourself off from riding my dick. Funny how the tables turn, huh?”

I take a step back, shaking my head in disbelief.

“I hate you,” I whisper, my gaze furious.

“No, you don’t.” He holds my stare for a beat before turning and walking towards the bathroom.

He slams the door behind him, leaving me standing there shattered and confused in the middle of our shitty hotel room. Wetness seeps down my legs, a silent reminder of what I’ve tried to deny for years.

No man has ever come close to making me feel the way Everett Thompson does. A feeling of desire so indescribable that words could never do it justice. A lone tear slips down my cheek as I think about how lucky I am to know that this feeling exists. But I’m also completely broken because I’ll never get to truly experience it with the only person who can give it to me.

My eyes flicker to the window as I stare at a small patch of stars peeking through the clouds. Anytime I see a glimpse of the night sky, I’m reminded of Everett. I’m immediately taken back to the night when I gave everything to him, leaving only scraps for anyone else.

FIFTEEN

Three Years Ago

Skylar

“Where to, Miss?” Everett asks in his best Jack Dawson voice, extending his arm out to me.

“To the stars,” I play along with the charade, linking my arm through his as we exit the karaoke bar.

We walk across the bustling mezzanine, dodging dozens of cruisers dressed in their finest evening wear. It’s almost midnight, which means the night is just getting started for most of the partygoers. Everett pulls me through a set of double doors that leads out to one of the ship’s many decks. The second we step outside, we’re greeted by roaring wind and the jet-black sky.

“Where are you taking me?” I yell as the wind whistles around us. My hair is blowing everywhere, whipping across my face, and obstructing the view of where we’re headed.

“You said you wanted to go to the stars, so I’m taking you there,” Everett shouts over the gusting air. My insides clench when he turns to smirk at me. His gelled hair is now a messy mane, the chestnut curls blowing wildly across his forehead.

“What do you mean?” I bellow.

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