She forced her eyes open, meeting his while his hand worked her—one finger, then two, stretching her, thrusting slowly and deliberately while his thumb stroked mercilessly on her clit.
Then he eased away, and she nearly moaned at the loss.Rush held his fingers up, glistening in the dim light, his gaze never leaving hers, and painted her wetness across her nipples before dipping his head again. His groan vibrated through her chest as he sucked one nipple deep into his mouth, his tongue swirling over her hungrily.
The filthy sound of it had her clawing at his shoulders, rocking against him helplessly. “Please,” she whispered, digging her nails into his shoulders while she rode him harder.
“You want it here, Lily?” he growled against her breast. “Right fucking here in my truck where anyone could walk past and see you getting fucked?”
Her breath hitched. “Yes,” she gasped, beyond caring. “God, yes, right here. Now.”
He jerked his belt buckle open, the clang loud in the stillness of the night, and yanked down his zipper.
Her heart pounded as she shifted higher on his lap, satin riding to her waist, her thong shoved aside, bare and wet, and ready. She felt the thick, blunt head press against her entrance, and a shudder rippled through her.
Her body clenched in anticipation, every nerve stretched so tight, waiting for him to push inside her and make the ache go away.
But before she could beg again—before he could drive home—her lungs betrayed her.
The gasp that should have broken into a moan caught in her chest, seizing viciously and stealing the moment.
Her chest locked tight, and panic flared in her. She jerked, clutching at her chest, and curled into him, trying to force air into her lungs.
“Lily.” Rush froze. He pushed her back, searching her face. “Fuck,” he swore viciously.
She gasped, clawing around the seat for her bag. Herinhaler. Inside. She didn’t take her purse when she left the party.
“I’ve got you,” he said firmly, already shifting her off his lap. “Don’t waste the air you’ve got.”
Panic was setting in. Black dots danced at the corner of her vision. She closed her eyes, unable to look at Rush when he realized she didn’t have her inhaler with her.
“Breathe,” he said roughly, pushing something between her lips. “Hold it.”
She puffed again, holding it until her lungs felt like they would burst, either from lack of oxygen or the medicine seeping into her, and stared at him.
He held her gaze unflinchingly. “That’s it, angel. One more.”
She wheezed in a breath and coughed. Rush rubbed her back in soothing circles while she repeated her mantra until her chest loosened.
I am a still lake, not a stormy sea.
“That’s it,” he murmured, pulling her into his chest. “I’ve got you.”
Gradually, the tightness eased, and Lily sagged against him, trembling. “Where—?” She gestured toward the inhaler.
“I picked one up after the cabin,” Rush said, holding her gaze steadily. “For you. In case this happened and you didn’t have yours.”
A few tears spilled down her cheeks. He brushed them away with his thumb before leaning back with a heavy sigh. His belt was still undone, his skin still flushed and hot to the touch from everything they had done.
“I’m so sorry,” Lily said, shame burning her throat. Tucker’s voice filled her head.Too much work. Too fragile.“I left my purse inside—I should’ve been more careful.”
“Hey.” Rush tipped her chin up, brushing her tears away with his thumb. “Don’t apologize.”
Her eyes filled again, tears spilling hot down her cheeks. “I feel so stupid. I’ve had asthma my whole life. How could I forget I need my inhaler?” She tried to duck her head, but Rush held her steady.
“Because you’re human,” he said simply. “It happens. That’s why I picked up another one, just in case. You’re not a burden, Lily.”
Something in her chest wrenched. “But don’t you see? I feel the same way about you.” She let that sit with him the same way his words had landed with her.
Rush’s hand dropped. He stared out the windshield, his jaw clenching. “Forgetting an inhaler and letting a woman drown are not the same thing,” he said flatly.
