“I’m not,” I insisted. “Jesus, Cheryl. You won’t even consider letting me take Sawyer to help you out after the baby comes.”
“I told you, Mason’s mom—“
“I don’t give a shit about Mason’s mom,” I responded, vibrating. “I’m tired of you pushing me out of our kid’s life.”
“I don’t push you out of her life,” she argued, and the look I gave her silenced her.
“Think long and hard about that, Cheryl. In fact, take the next eleven days and do just that. I’ll see you then.” I turned, giving her my back and effectively silencing any response that she might have had.
Gwen
I sat on the sofa with my legs crossed, my laptop open, fingers pounding against the keys as I wrote. Music poured softly from my speakers, and I was lost—lost in a scene within my head.
After sending Alaric those flirty messages last night, I’d been restless, unable to sleep until I’d brought out my trusty vibrator to ease the ache.
Only then, I was able to fall asleep—but I woke up just as tightly wound. I dispersed some of the energy by attacking my apartment, cleaning and dusting every inch, before falling onto my sofa with my laptop and a mug of tea, transforming all that restless, wanton energy into my story.
It was satisfying in a completely different way.
While I was in the writing zone, I never bothered glancing at the clock on the far right side of my toolbar. I kept my eyes glued to the document, watching the scenes come to life before me, slightly awed by the butterflies in my own stomach.
I couldn’t prevent Alaric from occasionally barging into my thoughts. I’d see, in my mind’s eye, my male character doing something, and suddenly it would be an actual memory, something Alaric had said or done. The way he’d smiled or touched me and the accompanying roll of desire in my core that would follow.
Each time this happened, my fingers would freeze, and I’d huff with exasperation. He was the muse and the block, all at once.
Likely because my little masturbation session hadn’t really helped ease the constant desire I’d ached with all weekend long. Especially after sending him that picture…I’d cursed myself as well as him.
But that just made the whole thing hotter, naughtier, and that—in turn—was beginning to seriously frustrate me.
I wondered if it would be crossing the line to text him, to beg him to come over again. I wanted to fill up on him, drink up thatdickspiration, ride the high of letting go of my reservations and giving in to desire.
Give into the escape.
Give into not feeling so desperately alone, because when Alaric was here, I didn’t feel alone. I didn’t feel like a clock was ticking, each second booming its fleeting existence.
Sighing deeply, I set my laptop down on the coffee table and reached for my tea. I sipped it, frowning when the cold liquid touched my tongue.
Someone knocked, a fist heavy against the door. I set the cold tea down and stood, tugging down my sleep shorts and tank top, hoping despite it all. I peeked through the hole, and my heart jumped unsteadily at the sight of Alaric on the other side.
I unlocked the door quickly and opened it, forgetting that I wasn’t presentable. I hadn’t bothered with makeup, nor had I done much to my hair, save for tossing it up in a messy bun to keep it off my neck while I wrote. But Alaric’s eyes were full of heat as they roamed my face, and at that moment, I’d never felt more beautiful.
His gaze lingered on my lips before slowly moving down the length of my body and up again, his lips curving into a suggestive smile that made the butterflies take flight. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself. What brings you to my doorstep?” I asked coyly, tilting my head.
“I was on my way home. Figured I’d stop in and say hello,” he admitted, his eyes still drinking me in.
“Just to stay hello, huh?”
“Maybe notjusthello.” He grinned and stepped over the threshold into my apartment.
I closed the door, and Alaric pressed against me from behind as I slid the deadbolt into place, his lips grazing across the side of my neck.
I shivered, goosebumps appearing on my flesh, each of them proclaiming just how desperately turned on I was.
“I’m glad you stopped by, to say hello,” I managed, my voice sounding strange and shaky.
Alaric grunted, smiling against my neck as he tugged the front of my tank top down, freeing my breast. He continued kissing my neck while his fingers tweaked my nipple, and I sighed, pushing back on him. I ground against his erection, enjoying the feel of him through denim while wishing both our clothes would disappear completely.
