Page 50 of A Kiss at Midnight

“I need to take you, Jewel — now. I want to make you mine over and over again.” I draw her to me, catching her body as I hold her butt and step closer.

Before thrusting inside her, I capture her bottom lip and suck it into my mouth, absorbing the gasp she lets out, all while caressing her. I press closer, and the head of my arousal slips inside her swollen heat.

Her pulse beats hard in the scented skin of her neck, mint drifting all around us from the fields, suddenly becoming my favorite herb, and then I lick her flesh, knowing I’ll never get enough of her taste, enough of her body, enough of her.

She moves against me, her body twisting to get closer as the flames of desire quickly build in her. She wants me to fill her, and I won’t deny her any longer. My length rests inside her, but I pull back to look in her eyes before I push forward in a slow, sure thrust that has me coming unglued.

When she sinks her teeth into the side of my neck, I nearly spill my seed. “Hold on,” I gasp, trying to regain control over my body. This seems to encourage her to push me to my very limits. Bringing her head up, I close my mouth over hers, my kiss hungry, desperate, full of want, need, and emotion I can’t identify.

I don’t try to hold back any longer, fully plunging in and out of her body, propelling us higher and higher, our groans filling the night sky, our passion seemingly infinite. I fight for self-control, fight to slow this down, but it’s no use. Her legs circle my back, and I drive deeper, faster, harder, until she cries out again, her body tensing around me as she comes.

Pleasure rushes through me, and I cry out, my body pulsing within hers, my pleasure complete as I pump deep inside her tight sheath. The shudders of our bodies don’t soon die.

When our breathing finally approaches a normal level, she lifts her head, showing me bright eyes and rosy cheeks. “I didn’t know I needed that.”

She tries to sit up. I help her, feeling somewhat deflated by her words. I’m not sure what I was expecting. I help her get down from the truck, leaving her standing before me naked and trembling.

I don’t know what to say or do. I turn and pick up my pants, slipping them on before I move around and grab the spare tire. She dresses in silence and then climbs into the cab. I don’t know what I’m feeling as I wrench down the nuts with more force than needed.

I finish and climb into the cab of the truck. We sit for several minutes without either of us saying a word. I’m so damn confused I don’t know what to think. I’ve never felt this before.

“I’d really like for you to talk to me,” I say, my voice resigned.

I don’t look over at her, hoping that if we aren’t making eye contact, maybe, just maybe, she’ll open up. I understand I haven’t exactly been a safe place for her to do this... and even now, I can’t seem to offer words that might comfort her enough to open up to me.

“I will . . . eventually,” she says with a sad sigh.

I nod as I start the truck. This isn’t good enough. “Then we’re done,” I tell her. I’m not filled with anger. I’m simply resigned. I’m getting too attached, and I don’t trust her. This is just how it was with my mother. She started with lies... and then she got my father killed along with herself right in front of the three sons she clearly didn’t love. I won’t trust a woman who’s lying to me. I don’t think I can ever trust a woman for any reason.

We drive back to the apartment complex without saying a word. There’s nothing else to say. I should feel peace. I don’t understand the tightening in my chest. The closer we come to the complex, the more my pulse picks up. When we reach home, the ache is worse. I sit in the truck, and she climbs out... and I let her walk away.

Chapter Review

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Max

I’ve worked for Blakefor a very long time, long enough to know when I step inside his apartment on Monday morning, that something is seriously wrong with my boss... and friend. None of us have heard from him since Saturday, which has never happened before. He’salwaysavailable, even if only by phone. I’m worried about what I’m going to find.

I make my way to the living room, and see Blake sprawled on the couch wearing only a pair of sweats, and with at least two days’ growth of a beard. The smell of expensive Scotch hangs heavy in the air.

Slowly approaching, I shake my boss’s shoulder and am relieved to hear him emit a groan. I make a fresh pot of coffee, then pour a cup and return to the living room, shaking Blake until he wakes.

“What are you doing?” Blake grumbles as he sits up with some effort and shoots me a vicious glare.

“I think the bigger question is, what areyoudoing?” I counter.

“It’s none of your damn business, Max. If I wanted company, I would’ve called,” Blake says. He grabs the cup of coffee and downs half of it before wincing as he feels the hot liquid scorch his throat.

“Is this about Jewel?” I boldly ask, and I’m rewarded with another glare.

“No woman has the power to affect me,” Blake snarls. It’s always a woman. I barely manage to keep my smile at bay. Even the strongest of men can be taken down by a woman. It fascinates me. Wars are won and lost over women. If only they truly understood the power they wield by the luck of the draw in being born female.

“I followed her on Saturday,” I say, knowing this will get his attention. The room goes utterly silent. I can see that Blake’s wondering why he hasn’t thought to ask me whether I’d done that. It could’ve saved him a hell of a lot of misery.

“And?” Blake obviously isn’t in the mood for suspense.

“She was obviously sneaking off with how often she was looking around her to make sure she wasn’t being followed. I knew you’d want to know where she was going. You know, I actually like this girl more and more each day,” I say with a chuckle.

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