Page 72 of Sustain

Ian takes advantage of the movement forward and plunges deep into me with a moan, pushing me over the edge I thought I was only getting close to. My orgasm erupts, and my entire body shudders as the furious pulsation between my legs peaks around him.

He mirrors my savage sounds as he explodes inside me, his body tensing and quivering under the water and beneath myhands. The vision of untethered ecstasy on his face as he comes down is beyond satisfying. It’s magical.

That two people can make each other feel so good is nothing less than a triumph. A miracle. I didn’t know that sex could be this intimate. So soul binding.

And that’s what we’ve done. We’ve bound our souls to one another. In a bathtub. In a strange hotel. Practically at his mother’s insistence.

As fucked up as it sounds – it sounds about right for us.

fifty-four

. . .

Next to Me

Ian

Darkness cloaks the London streets as Mackenzie and I slide into the rental car, minds still swimming deliriously from a few coveted hours alone unraveling each other. The evening was a revelation after all of our recent turmoil. Naked vulnerability replaced both of our guarded hesitations at last.

The future now fills me with hope rather than doubt with this formidable woman willingly at my side. All secrets bared. Nothing more to come between us.

I brush my lips over Mackenzie's knuckles, memories replaying vividly. "I don't know that I deserve this rare second chance, but now that I have you, I’m not letting you go."

She flashes me that sly, knowing smile that first sparked my fascination with her. "Remember that you said that when I'm hijacking your towels and stealing the covers at 3:00 a.m." Her eyes dance brighter than any sunrise. "But I suppose I'll keep you. For now, at least."

"There's my sleepyheads."I sweep Hayley into my arms while June clings blearily to my leg, both fighting epic yawn battles. The treasured sight makes my chest swell. This reaction to my daughters is something I’ll never get over. And I’ll never hide it again. If anything comes from this relationship with Mackenzie, it's that. I have truly learned my lesson there.

I meet my mother's gaze over the girls' tousled bedheads, bracing for her usual complaint at my American life persisting. Instead, a gentle inquisitiveness lingers now. Her eyes flick curiously between a glowing Mackenzie and me.

"Seems dinner at the Shangri-La was pleasant after all?" Mum asks delicately as she passes Mackenzie the girls’ glittered bags. There's no frosty judgment though, as I would have expected. Rather something resembling solidarity with the remarkable woman she's only just met seems to be brewing.

Mackenzie smiles easily, her stunning after-sex radiance failing to escape Mum's notice if that probing look she’s giving her is any indication.

"Yes, the hotel was really lovely. But I'm sad our visit here is almost over," Mackenzie says plainly, expertly avoiding my mum’s innuendos.

Mum pats Mackenzie's hand fondly. "Oh nonsense, darling. This won't be the last. We've far too many artifact adventures ahead. I’m anxious to see your own collection." She pulls a surprised Mackenzie into a swift hug.

My mouth actually drops open in shock.

Somehow, a single day has removed decades of ingrained reserve from this matriarch of propriety.

I guess, if anyone could do it, it’s Mackenzie. God bless her.

“Right then. Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?” I say, letting my mother uncharacteristically peck my cheek.

Several rounds of therapy might be in order after this to sort through all these conflicting emotions now. I’m starting to feel something like whiplash from the changes happening all at once.

Hayley and Junenod off again almost instantly after being buckled into the backseat for the short ride to Brianna's. I glance over to see Mackenzie in the passenger seat watching them fondly before turning my focus back to the road.

"So, on a scale of Arctic freeze to Chernobyl meltdown, how doomed am I about to be here with you meeting my ex?" I half-joke.

Mackenzie arches an eyebrow. "Surely you’re joking. I wrangle rockstars for a living. Remember?"

I have to laugh even as anxiety creeps higher nearing Brianna's neighborhood. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you about Hurricane Brianna..."

We've barely rolled to a stop before the imposing front door is thrown open, and the lady of the manor glides out with far more grace than the occasion calls for. I unconsciously flex my scarred hand seeing Brianna's familiar beauty queen facade slide into place.

Not surprisingly, Axel is now nowhere to be seen. He must have outlived his usefulness to Bri. Or maybe he needed to practice his lip-syncing skills and dance moves. One of the two.

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