Page 49 of Catalyst

“Yes! Don’t stop.” Ellie throws her head back, her eyes closing as ecstasy washes over her face. Her walls tighten around my cock, her orgasm barreling through her. It sends tingles down my spine, and I shudder as I come deep inside her.

“Jesus,” I whisper, collapsing down on top of her. I tuck my nose into the crook of her neck, pressing kisses to her damp skin.

She hums in agreement, her fingers moving through my hair. I roll over onto my side, pulling Ellie into my chest. As my cock slides out of her, I realize I forgot a pretty important item.

“Ellie, I didn’t use a condom.”

“Hmm? Oh, that’s fine. I’m clean and on the pill.” She shrugs as if it’s no big deal. The trust she has in me is an extraordinary feeling.

“I’m clean, too, darling. I would never put you at risk like that.” I kiss her forehead.

“I know.”

We’re quiet for a minute when Ellie murmurs, “Thank you for going with me today. I wouldn’t have survived that without you.”

“You would’ve done just fine, but I’m glad I was able to be there, regardless.” I pause, wanting to ask her about what happened at the end of the day, but I’m not sure how to ask.

“I ran into my attacker.” Her voice is so quiet I almost miss it.

I sit up in surprise. “You what?”

Ellie sits up next to me, placing a hand on my cheek. It forces me to relax my jaw.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. I should’ve been looking out for him. It was stupid of me to think he wouldn’t be there. I mean, his family and mine are close friends.” She shrugs. “I had a moment of panic, and then I throat-punched him.”

“You what?” I repeat, except this time, it’s astonishment instead of anger.

Ellie cringes. “Yeah, he grabbed my arm, and I just sort of reacted. I hope he doesn’t press charges.”

“If he does, I’ll drown him in legal fees,” I growl.

Ellie’s shoulders drop, a smile teasing up the corner of her mouth.

“I’m not sure why you’re smiling. I wasn’t kidding. If he thinks he can push you around, he has another thing coming.”

She leans in and kisses me, effectively diffusing the anger that had been building. “Thank you. Now, how about you channel all of that alpha energy into giving me a few more orgasms in the shower?”

My eyebrows wing up to my hairline in surprise, and then I tackle her back onto the bed, making her squeal. “I’ll show you alpha energy.”

And I do. For the rest of the night.

* * *

The drive home from Greensboro is comfortably quiet. Ellie’s fingers are wrapped around the top of my hand as my palm slides idly up and down her thigh. I wish she didn’t have tights on so I could feel her skin against mine. I was inside her for the majority of the night, and I still can’t seem to sate this need to be as close as possible.

At least I know that Ellie is feeling the same way I am. Every look and touch we shared last night was filled with more emotion than I’ve ever expressed with anyone. Not even my family has seen me that vulnerable.

And I’m trying my damndest not to let myself spiral with all the what-ifs attempting to ruin the contentment relaxing my entire body.

There are a million ways this relationship could go bad. Then again, there are even more reasons this could be the best thing to ever happen to me. And isn’t that the point of taking the risk?

When Matthew and I started Sidelines, I couldn’t stop thinking about how easily the business could go up in flames, but it didn’t stop us from doing it anyway. We created a thriving business despite the fear of everything that could go wrong.

Living my life on the fringes because I’m too scared to take risks isn’t how I want to spend the next forty-plus years. I hate that I’ve let myself get to this point. I wasn’t this guy ten years ago. I used to skirt the rules, edging the line between right and wrong until I got exactly what I wanted. I didn’t let anything stop me from reaching my goals. I want to go back to being that guy again.

I glance at Ellie, taking in her blonde hair piled on top of her head and makeup-free face. I can see her standing in front of me, pulling my hand toward whatever crazy thing she wants to do next, and I know without a doubt in my mind, that if she’s by my side, I won’t have to worry about becoming stuck in my fear.

“Do you want to stay at my house or go home?” I ask as we cross the Westlake city line. If demanding she stay with me instead of asking didn’t make me an asshole, I’d do it. Waking up with her in my bed is by far my favorite part of the morning. And on the days she isn’t in my bed, I tend to wake up a hell of a lot crankier.

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