As his movements picked up speed and became more erratic, she chased the orgasm that felt just out of reach. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her to him with each thrust.
“I need you to come,” he gritted out, his voice strained.
“I can’t,” she cried. “I need more.”
He let go of her, slipping his hand between her legs and pressing her clit. She spread her legs further, granting him better access, but it still wasn’t enough. She needed more. She needed to feel his weight against her. She needed the closeness. Reaching a hand behind her to grab his neck, she pulled him closer. As if sensing what she needed, he leaned over her, kissing the back of her neck before moving his mouth to her ear.
“Is this what you need?” he asked.
“Yes!” She was so close.
He stroked her jaw and down her neck with his free hand, sending a shiver down her spine, as he continued thrusting into her. Giving her neck a squeeze, he growled into her ear, “Now come for me.”
She did. She cried out in surprise when her orgasm ripped through her, sending shockwaves through her body as he continued the firm pressure on her neck. His movements faltered behind her as he found his release, his warmth filling her as she continued to pulse around him.
Before she had come down from the haze of her orgasm, he pulled out, leaving her bent over the island. She shivered from the cold granite beneath her torso and the cool air against the wetness between her thighs. By the time she turned around, Christian was securing his belt and moving toward the door before he turned and looked at her with a conflicted gaze.
Tears once again stung her eyes as she began gathering her clothes. She quickly stepped into her sweats and pulled her shirt over her head as he continued to watch her. Even with clotheson, she felt naked under his gaze. She blinked to keep the tears from falling.
“Mallory, I—" he began before she held out a hand and cut him off.
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Just go.”
She turned on her heel and practically ran to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. As soon as she was alone, the tears began making a steady trail down her face. After turning on the shower, she stripped off her clothes and stepped inside, allowing the warm current to wash over her as she slid down to sit in the bottom of the tub.
She was the one who suggested they take a step back. She was the one who insisted they were just two people who had sex. The sex wasn’t much different than their other times together, but she felt cold and empty afterwards. He didn’t hold her. He didn’t stay … He. Didn’t. Stay.
CHRISTIAN
“Just tell her you’re sorry, Dad,” Lily insisted as they drove back to his apartment.
If only it was that simple. No way was he going to tell his daughter why they were going home instead of spending the evening with Mallory. When he picked up the takeout and dropped Lily off with Dan, he’d hoped they would clear the air while eating dinner, and then Lily and Dan would join for dessert and maybe a movie. That did not happen, and he felt like the biggest piece of shit. It was taking all of his energy to pretend he was okay in front of Lily.
He was far from okay. Any time he blinked too long, he saw the flash of the hurt in Mallory’s eyes. Treating her like one of his one-night stands was a dick move. It was one thing when he kept his distance from actual hookups. There were no expectations, and the terms were agreed upon in advance. Before Mallory, hedidn’t want more than that. But to treat her the way he did was not okay. Even if she said that’s what she wanted.
“Dad?”
He glanced over to find his daughter watching him expectantly. “What?”
“You’re still going to talk to Mom, right?”
He hadn’t let himself get as far as figuring out how everything would work out, but he’d already decided to fight to keep Lily with him. If he was fighting to keep her, it had nothing to do with anyone else. It was for Lily and for him. He would figure out how to make it work once he got there. The important part was getting there.
“Yeah. I’ll talk to her.”
“And you’ll apologize to Mallory?”
“I’ll try,” he answered reluctantly.
After the way he’d behaved, he wouldn’t blame her for refusing to talk to him. That was another bridge to cross once he got to it. The most important thing was to make sure Lily was with him for good. Between the way she relaxed the longer she was in New Jersey, and his talk with Dan, he knew staying out of Florida was what was best for her.
“Lily, I love you and there’s nothing I would like more than to have you stay here with me. It’s just hard to fight when I don’t know what I’m fighting against. There’s nothing you can tell me that will change anything between us. You know that, right?”
Chris glanced over to find Lily fiddling with her seatbelt. As much as he wanted to press her for information, he knew she wouldn’t talk to him unless she was ready. That understanding was what brought him to Florida. It was what had him booking the next available flight for them when Vivian tried to start her shit. But he wished more than anything that she would confide in him. Trust him to be her safe space.
“I like girls.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as he parked on the street in front of his building.
“What?” Chris asked once he had the car parked. He’d been focused on what he was doing and wasn’t sure he heard what she said.
