But it was late, and we had to work in the morning. So, I pulled away just after the introduction of our tongues, which could justify my ever-growing need to be inside of Crew again.
I swept my thumb over his cheekbone, watching his shoulders rise and fall with his hurried breaths. “We should get some sleep.”
“Right.” Crew went to pull off the blankets to get up, but I stopped him.
“I’ll get the light. You can stay in bed.”
He looked towards the ottoman, his lip catching between his teeth. “I, um, I need something from my bag. I’ll get it.”
I raised a curious eyebrow at him, letting go of the wrist I’d grabbed. When Crew came out from under the blankets, I was hit with another wave of pure need. His body was gorgeous, a red flush running from the top of his chest, becoming patchier as it spread. There was a slight curve at his waist that begged for my hands to grip them.
His hip bones were more prominent than I’d have liked, but I could fix that over time by feeding him, at least until our agreement was over.
The reminder of our time limit had my mood souring. I tried not to let it show as I watched Crew unzip his bag and pull something out. He held it close to his chest as he hurried to the light switch.
“Is that a pillow?” I asked.
He froze on his heels, turning until I could see a wince flash across his face. “Yeah.” He held the pillow out so I could see it. There was a familiar silk pillow sheet on it. I’d seen it on his bed at his house. “This isPilly, my pillow. She comes with me everywhere I sleep. Can’t get to bed without her.”
I saw the embarrassment on his face. A smile played on my lips, too big to hide. “That’s fucking adorable. Pilly the pillow, huh?”
The room descended into darkness, quickly followed by shuffling feet until the bed dipped and Crew was back beside me.
“Shut up,” he grumbled.
Oh, I couldn’t do that. “How long have you had Miss Pilly?” I reached out blindly, trying to find the aforementioned pillow.
A hand slapped mine, a sharp sting taking its place. “You never told me your favorite color.”
Changing topics already. I shook my head in the dark, coughing through a laugh. “You just want to avoid discussing the most precious thing on Earth.”
All I got was a growl in response—a feisty one, matching a chihuahua.
“Okay, okay,” I relented. “My favorite color is orange.” The blankets shifted around me, Crew’s body following with it as he found his place in my arms. “Sounds like we’re complimentary.”
Another smack, this time to my bare chest, right next to where Crew’s cheek was lying. I howled a laugh as I cuddled Crew closer, knowing that even with the dark, I could feel his lips twist up into a smile.
I wasthe first to be greeted by the morning sun. A familiar heat had taken over my body, my chest pressed close to Crew’s back. I hadn’t been joking with him when I told him I ran hot.
His shoulders rose and fell peacefully, and our skin stuck together with a disgusting sheen of sweat. I wouldn’t bother being grossed out, though. Not when I found myself pressing my face into the waves of Crew’s hair, inhaling deeply like the creep I was, and sighing in contentment.
My soft groan was muffled by the back of his neck. His scent caused the memories of last night to flood my senses until I could hear nothing buthis moans and whimpers. I trailed my hand down his shoulder, mapping out the cool touch of his skin as I dipped lower.
His waist fit beautifully in my palm as I tugged him close to my morning wood. “Fuck,” I whispered.
With him on his side, I could somewhat see his side profile. His face was lax, his lips barely open as he breathed. Crew looked so peaceful, yet so haunted in his sleep. I wanted to take away all his fears and replace the years of pain I knew he had. Almost microscopic scars littered his face, some near the part of his eyebrow that stopped growing hair, others just barely tucked into the crease beside his mouth.
I craved to kiss each one. Make them mine. Turn them into reminders ofmeand notthem.
The bags under his eyes told a million stories of restless nights. I wanted nothing more than to keep him in my arms, to kiss every inch of him, pouring my adoration over his soul until he believed he deserved it.
I wanted to press his body against mine, my cock fucking into him with so much tender care that he’d never think about going back to his life before. I wanted to whisper sweet nothings in his ear, praising him for taking me so well as I measured each thrust with restraint, barely sliding over his prostate as he moaned for more.
Shivers ran through me as my hips rocked against Crew’s ass of their own accord. I was getting ahead of myself, getting too lost in my fantasies. Crew made it abundantly clear there wouldn’t be a future for us, yet here I was, making one up where I was his and he was mine.
Imagine my shock when I’d finally pulled myself together, and suddenly, Crew was pushing against me with a quiet groan.
My palm stayed glued to his waist as I peered down at him, meeting his hazy gaze. It was obvious sleep still had a grip on him, but the way he licked his lips and pushed against me once more told me everything I needed to know.
