This was supposed to be just fun. Knowing that, somehow, in a matter of days, being with her, sharing pleasure with her, Vanessa had still become as necessary as his next heartbeat.
He couldn’t lose her, lose this. Unsure if she’d ever allow him to say those words to her, he poured every ounce of his heart into every stroke of his cock, every caress of her skin, every stuttered breath, all of it was an ode to this profound thing that sat in the middle of his chest, squeezing around his heart like a vise in a blacksmith’s shop.
He was consumed by it, by her, and the thought of losing it all was so frightening he was rutting against her like some out-of-control beast.
Her grip on his cock tightened as her walls spasmed, signaling her climax was just within reach. His fingers dug into her hips so tightly he was certain there would be crescent-shaped marks imprinted in her skin. And if he was honest with himself, knowing proof of their lovemaking would exist long after this moment was over, put his own release just within reach.
He widened his stance, pulling her hips back against his as she succumbed to the onslaught of her orgasm. Her body locked in a powerful spasm, tightening her heat around him, pulling him along with her on this uncontrollable ride.
That first pulse was so strong he almost lost his balance. He grabbed at her shoulder to steady himself while bliss took over every nerve ending and every last bit of control he possessed. And when her tight walls had drawn the last drop of his essence from him, he collapsed unceremoniously on top of her back, whispering the only word his mouth could form: “Naekkeo.”Mine.
When he finally found the breath and strength to stand on his own, he went into the bathroom to clean up. He returned with a damp, warm washcloth in his hand as he watched Vanessa crawl from the foot of the bed, dropping her head on the pillows at the top.
He carefully cleaned her sex, trying his best to soothe instead of stimulate. As much as he was game for another round of incrediblesex, what he wanted most was to lie next to her and block the rest of the world out.
Their time was winding up. It was obvious in the desperation of their lovemaking that they both knew the end was around the corner. He wasn’t normally a man to stick his head in the sand and pretend things were perfect when they weren’t. Understanding that about himself didn’t prevent him from crawling into bed beside her, loving how her warm body fit perfectly into his. Without regret, he would spend every minute they had left pretending the end would never come.
Michael rolled onto his back, pulling Vanessa with him, wrapping her in the safety of his arms. If he had his way, they’d remain like this, locked up, lying in bed together, carefully protecting the silence between them, keeping the rest of the world out.
Unfortunately, all good things really did come to an end, and this cocoon of bliss they’d swaddled themselves in was slowly splitting at the seams.
He could feel the thick blanket of uncertainty covering them, pushing them to face the reality of the situation they were in. He closed his eyes, hoping to hold on to the solace of their lovemaking a little while longer. One look at the somber expression on her face tore that illusion down. It was obvious they both knew if either of them attempted to unpack their emotions they’d risk losing the precious connection between them.
He tried to ignore the gaping chasm forcing them apart even though the pensive look in the depths of her deep, dark eyes made worry creep up his spine.
“I know I just had one of the best orgasms of my life, and if my memory serves, the way you wrapped your body around mine, I’d bet you had a pretty exceptional one too.” He placed his finger atthe point of her chin and lifted her gaze to his. “Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?”
The sad smile on her face was like something sharp slashing against his skin, leaving it inflamed and in tatters. “Vanessa?”
“The sex was great, Sheriff.”
“Agreed. That still doesn’t answer my question, though. Something’s still bothering you. What’s going on?”
“The mechanic called while I was out with Janae and Cree this morning. My car is ready.”
“So, you’re leaving?”
“You knew I would be at some point.” She let her gaze fall to his chest, circling her fingers over his pecs. The slow rhythm was both tender and erotic. Before his body could work itself up again, he stilled her hand with his.
“That was always the plan, Michael.”
He threaded his fingers between hers and held her tighter to his side.
“Yes, it was. Though I hoped that didn’t mean you weren’t open to changing up the plan a bit.”
Her eyes narrowed into slits as her gaze locked with his. “You mean, you want me to stay?”
There was something heavy in the air between them. He could already see that whatever his answer was, it might have lasting effects on their relationship he neither intended nor wanted.
“I want you, Vanessa. For me, this hasn’t just been two people jumping into bed. I honestly think there’s something here. Don’t you feel the same?”
He waited for her to respond and the longer the wait, the more doubt rubbed against his heart, abrading it like rough sandpaper against the delicate petals of one of the flowers in his sister’s shop.
“What?” He finally found the courage to ask the question burning in his chest. “You don’t want to see where this can go?”
He started to pull away from her. But she seemed to need to keep their bodies connected when she snaked her hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down into a deep, soulful kiss. “Of course I want this, Michael. Things are simply too complicated.”
“At the moment, yes. That isn’t the same thing as forever, Vanessa. In a couple of weeks, Cindy will be over this and we can get back to focusing on us. Two weeks is more than enough time for you to go back to Jersey and pack up and come back here.”
