Page 42 of The Criminal

“So close.” Her voice was breathless and desperate, her skin slick with a fine sheen of sweat. She was chasing her release with single-minded determination. I felt my cock grow thicker as she pumped her hips faster, plunging down with more and more force. A high-pitched whine escaped from her throat.

I worked a hand between us, my thumb perfectly aligned with her clit. I was near the end of my ability to hold on. She had to get there.

Her eyes widened, and her breathing changed from too fast to deep, long gasps. She rocked back and forth, chantingyesas she worked herself up the ultimate peak. A flutter around my cock became a pulse. I couldn’t hold on.

“Angel, you better fucking come for me.” I buried my hand in her long, silky hair. I tugged her head back and sucked at the beautifully tender place above her collarbone.

She screamed. Loud and long. Her body shuddered with wave after wave of pleasure so intense it looked nearly painful. I crushed her to my chest and thrust my hips up one last time. The ecstasy she radiated jolted down my shaft like lightning. I clutched her to me. Control gone. Forgotten.

I let go. And I flew.

My release crashed over me, no less intense than hers. My world narrowed to the woman in my arms and the feelings pulsing through me. I’d been protective of her before. Now I knew I’d fight the world to keep her safe.

Eventually, our tremors faded. I caressed her long hair and the damp skin of her back. She pressed a delicate kiss to my pec. My heart skipped a beat.

It was a perfect moment. I’d experienced a few in my life and knew not to take it for granted. I vowed not to fuck this up with Lee. I wouldn’t pick at old wounds, and I’d do everything I could not to create new ones. Even if things had to go unsaid. Unchallenged. It would all be worth it to be with her.

We stayed curled together with her on my lap, catching our breath, until she lifted her head and broke the spell.

“We should clean up.” Her voice was low and gravelly. Pure sex kitten.

“Excellent idea.” I helped her stand and pointed her toward my bedroom. “Bathroom is in there. I’m right behind you.”

She stood on unsteady legs and staggered off toward my room, her long hair a tangled mass down her back. I took the opportunity to enjoy her ass as she went. My cock, still wrapped in latex, twitched, interested in round two already.

After taking off my pants and shoes, I dealt with the condom. I was sure that was the first time I’d ever made love to a woman with my shoes on.

I trailed Lee into my bathroom. Every dollar I’d spent upgrading to his-and-her showerheads and a strategically placed grab bar was about to pay dividends.

Chapter 21

Lee

Itwistedmyarmbehind me, tugging at the zipper on my green silk Nanette Lepore dress. It was stuck. I loved the dress and fought back a frustrated growl as I tugged at the infuriating tab. It was a great dress. It made my boobs look bigger and my ass look smaller. It was the holy grail of clothing. It didn’t deserve all the things I’d done to it tonight—er, last night. According to the clock on the far wall, it was two in the morning.

I gave up. A half-zipped dress would be enough to get me home. I shoved my bra into my purse next to my .22 and tucked my shoes under my arm. I took one last long look at the coffee table.

This had been a massive mistake. No, wrong word—a miscalculation. Tonight would haunt me for weeks, months. Every lonely night in my bed, I would replay all the things I had asked Derek to do to me on that coffee table, in his shower, and, last but not least, in his bed.

I’d hear his wicked and cajoling voice in my dreams asking me what was next. Asking how he should fuck me. His game was delicious, a power play, but I wasn’t sure who was left with the upper hand, him or me.

A shiver raced over my arms as the air conditioning cycled on. I rubbed my cold skin and looked around, making sure I’d collected everything I came with but the cake and balloons.

And Onyx.

I tiptoed barefoot into the kitchen, and Onyx’s eyes instantly popped open. He rose, stretched, and padded to my side, the click of his nails ridiculously loud in the silent house. I patted his head.

There was a side door in the kitchen. It might be my most promising means of escape. I wasn’t lying to myself. I knew leaving Derek in the middle of the night was the coward’s way out. But I didn’t see another graceful exit. I blinked back the tears that threatened. Time for regrets later.

I grasped the deadbolt and prayed it would open silently.

“Going somewhere?” Derek’s tone was conversational but underlaid with steel. It raised the fine hairs on the back of my neck.

Fuck.

I didn’t dare turn and look at him. So, I kept my eyes fixed on the lock. It was brand new, and a single dot of white paint stood in stark contrast to the flat black metal.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to wake you.” My voice sounded weak and watery.

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