Her eyes snapped back open and the heat he saw in her eyes was nearly enough to send him over the edge. But he held on, determined to wait for her. His breathing grew ragged as he stroked himself faster, keeping in time with Mallory.
“Come for me,” he demanded, feeling his control crumble.
She bit down on her lip and cried out, her body tensing as her fingers made slow deliberate swipes while she rode out her orgasm. He held her gaze and found his own release, warm ropes of liquid hitting his stomach. He groaned softly, giving himself a few last strokes as he pulsed in his hand.
Her cheeks took on a rosy, red hue and she was back under the blankets before he even grabbed his t-shirt to clean himself off. Her eyes drooped; fatigue winning out over embarrassment.
“Don’t hide from me. I’ve seen everything and I love every part of you.” He winced as he realized the first time he allowed that word to slip was after having phone sex. The timing didn’t make his words any less true, but still.
“That was … not what I was expecting.”
Chris chuckled under his breath. “What we did, or what I said?”
“Both? I’ve never done that before.”
He breathed another laugh. “Well, I was also surprised.”
“By which part?” she asked, her lips tugging into a small smile.
“Both.”
Her blankets were pulled up to her chin, but she was finally smiling. “We should get some sleep. Will I see you soon?”
Whoever came up with the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” wasn’t lying. He needed Mallory. There was no other way to describe it. He had been stressed over whatever it was that was going on with his daughter, and being away from the woman he loved only made him feel things more acutely. He’d tried to create some distance before he left, knowing how stressful being under the same roof as his ex would be and needing to focus any energy he had left on Lily. He was lucky she even reached out to him after how standoffish he’d been.
“God, I hope so. Get some sleep. I’ve about reached my limit here. I’ll be home soon.”
Chapter 18
MALLORY
Mallory was having a hard time looking the woman in the eye. It had been nearly twenty-four hours, but she thought Mrs. Ramirez might be able to sense the filthy things she’d done with her son. Even after all the hot actual sex they’d had, phone sex seemed taboo. Her cheeks flushed at the memory of him coming undone under his own hand as he watched her do the same.
“You feeling okay? You seem flushed,” Mrs. Ramirez asked once the EMTs had transferred her to her new bed.
She knew it. She could tell. The phone sex was written all over her. Her face heated even more. “Oh, I’m fine. Just feeling a bit run down from not sleeping well the past few nights, that’s all. But how are you? How was the ride here?”
“The ride over was fine. I’m not an invalid, though. They could have let me get up and walk over to the bed,” she said, glaring in the direction of the EMTs as they left the room. “With Christian being away, I would think you’d be getting more sleep.”
If there was any doubt as to what she meant, the exaggerated wink cleared it up. Just as she thought she couldn’t blush any harder, heat rose from her neck all the way back to her ears. Closing her eyes, she took a moment to regain her composure.
“Don’t look so surprised. I was young once, and I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”
Mallory struggled to find something to say. Some way to change the subject. Anything. “Oh, uh …” She laughed nervously. “Is there anything I can get you? I’m sure you must be tired from the move.”
Mrs. Ramirez shook her head and laughed. Things were not going the way she’d planned. She figured she’d go there, spend some time with Christian’s mom while she got settled, then leave.
“Don’t be so nervous. I like you and I love you for my son. I’m no prude, so I won’t pretend my son doesn’t have sex.”
Oh god.That explanation somehow made her feel even more awkward. In just a matter of days, Christian’s best friend told her that Christian loved her, Christian himself said he loved everything about her, and now his mother said she loved her for him. Overwhelmed was an understatement. It was officially time to go. She’d seen that she arrived okay. Spent a few minutes. Her job was complete.
“Well, Mrs. Ramirez, I’d better get going. It’s getting late and I’m sure if I’m tired, you must be tired as well. I wrote down my number in the notebook by the phone. Call me if you need anything.”
She walked over to the bed and gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek before digging her keys out of her purse. She really did need to start carrying a smaller bag. The bigger the purse, the more shit she loaded it up with. She was still digging for her keys when she heard Mrs. Ramirez speak.
“Christian! What are you doing here? I didn’t think you’d be back yet.”
Mallory looked up and saw Christian standing in the doorway. Her heart skipped a few beats and she felt butterflies in her stomach. Her body reacted to him the same way it did when they first met. Before she could come up with a reasonable greeting, he moved to the side allowing a little girl to step into the room. Little girl probably wasn’t the best way to describe her. A young teenager with dark hair and haunted gray eyes looked back at her. Her dark hair hung loose past her shoulders, and she was dressed in black leggings and a black t-shirt. She was gorgeous, even with the somber expression on her face.
