Page 42 of Wicked Lies

“This time—as in right now?”

“I hope you’re ready, baby, 'cause I’m pretty sure even twice won’t be enough.”

“I’m ready for whatever you’ve got.”

He pulled away from her breast and placed his hands on each side of her head. His biceps bulged as he hovered over her. She moaned deeply when he grabbed her lips, teasing and sucking her tongue. Nick’s chest rumbled, and she clutched his hips, guiding him to her. He nudged her thighs wider, and when Cheryl wrapped them around his hips, he slid inside her tight, wet walls.

“Fuck, baby. Ain’t nothing better,” he rasped against her neck.

He drove deep, and she cried out, hanging on to him like a drowning woman in a tempestuous storm.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got you, and I’m never letting go.”

Slipping his hand between them, Nick pressed her nub between his thumb and forefinger, and Cheryl rocked her hips, her pulse thumping in her ears. Weightless and floating, all the strain and stress of the last few days drifted away on a beautiful cloud of blessed-out pleasure.

“Oh God, Nick,” she whimpered as the waves hit again.

“So beautiful, so fuckin’ beautiful.”

Nick ripped at the sheets under her head. “Feel me taking you?” he snarled, with another thrust of his hips, then another, until he swelled and stretched her in the most perfect way. “Nobody else can make you feel that.” With a breathless gasp and one last thrust, he collapsed at her side.

“That was . . .” she panted.

“It sure was.” He tugged her closer and pulled the sheet over them. “Rest up 'cause I’m nowhere near done with you.”

* * *

The dampnessof the alley coated her skin.“You stupid bitch. You’re not going anywhere,” Jimmy threatened. Visions of his hand smacking her cheek, the knife glinting in the halogen lights, and the lifeless, limp body sprawled before her—only it wasn't Jimmy’s face staring back at her, it was Nick’s.

Cheryl bolted upright in the bed. Her heart pounded, and her gaze darted around the room, searching for something familiar. Nick must’ve closed the drapes during the night because little shards of daylight peeked through the heavy fabric.

After their perfect night, she hated that this hellish part of her life invaded their time. She’d hoped after telling the truth, the nightmares would cease, but her mind had other ideas. A single bead of sweat crept down her bare back as she forced herself to calm down.

Him waking next to a woman who couldn’t breathe without gasping was not what Cheryl had in mind for the morning after. Of course, the more she fought it, the harder her heart thumped.

She zeroed in on the sheet draped over Nick’s muscular back and shoulders as she fought to control her breathing.

“Hey.” He raised his head a few inches off the pillow. “You all right?” His voice was rough from sleep and sex, his thick, dark hair a contrast against the crisp white pillowcase.

“Yeah, fine.” Cheryl’s response sounded tinny and fake, and she hoped his sleepy mind would miss her anxious edge.

He propped himself up and stroked her arm. “What’s wrong?” He blinked the sleep from his perceptive eyes.

“Sometimes I have dreams.” She looked away so he wouldn’t see the fear. “More like nightmares.” She fisted the sheets tighter in her sweaty palms.

“Dreams can’t hurt you.” Enveloping her in his arms, he held her tight, and the erratic beat of her heart pulsed between them. “No one can hurt you. I’m here.”

She swiped her tears. She’d spent years taking care of herself and Jimmy through all his messes, but Nick was the first one to calm her, soothe her, take away her pain. Her breathing slowed, and her heart, although still racy, stopped skipping every other beat.

He stacked the pillows behind them, then leaned back with her in his arms. “You get these a lot?”

“What, nightmares?” Cheryl feared he would somehow figure out the horrible end of this particular nightmare.

“No, panic attacks.” He continued to stroke her arms as he held her.

How had he guessed her secret, and what now? Should she admit or deny it?

“Can’t catch your breath?” He stopped stroking her arm and looked into her eyes. “Feel like you’re coming apart.”

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