The first and the fucking last.
I pull back, resting my forehead against hers as we both catch our breath. Her eyes flutter open, the vacant look from before now replaced by curiosity and desire.
“You okay?” I ask, my voice rough with want.
She bites her lower lip, looking uncertain. “I’m not sure.”
I brush my thumb across her cheek, wiping away the remnants of her tears. “You will be,” I promise. “Let’s get out of here. You need some sleep.”
She nods, the blonde messy bun on top of her head flopping around. “Okay.”
I drop another kiss on her lips and pat her thigh.
With a sigh, Frankie moves back to the passenger seat and clicks the seatbelt in place.
What the fuck am I doing? She’s nineteen. Camden’s daughter. Then there’s the little fact that she stole from me.
And yet...
I glance over at her, watching as she leans her head against the window, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion.
I want to protect her. To keep her safe.
To make her mine in every fucking way.
Fuck.
“I can feel you staring at me.” Opening my eyes, I find Frankie lying beside me, her head propped up on one hand as she studies my face. She looks like an angel with the sunlight streaming through the window behind her.
For a second, I think I’m dreaming but then she smiles, small and tentative, and I know I’m awake.
“Morning,” she says softly.
I grunt in response, my brain still trying to catch up. We got back to my place hours ago, and Frankie crashed hard, the stress and exhaustion finally taking their toll. I’d lain down with her, just to make sure she was okay, and apparently fell asleep too.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask, my voice rough with sleep. “You’re staring.”
She drops her gaze, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “Life, I guess. How quickly it can change. How easily it can be taken away.”
I reach out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Heavy thoughts for so early in the morning.”
“Today made me realize something,” she continues, her eyes meeting mine again. “I’ve been so focused on finding answers about my dad that I haven’t been living. I’ve been... existing. Going through the motions.”
My brow furrows. “That’s understandable, given the circumstances.”
She shakes her head. “Maybe. But I don’t want to take anything for granted anymore,” she whispers, her eyes fixed on my mouth. “Not a single moment.”
Before I can ask her what it is she thinks she’s taken for granted, she leans forward and presses her lips to mine. This time it’s my turn to freeze, because this kiss is different from the one we shared before.
This time Frankie is more confident, more deliberate. Her hand comes up to cup my cheek, her thumb stroking along my jawline.
I respond instantly, my body somehow now hardwired to her touch like she’s flipped some switch inside me. Growling, I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her closer until her body is flush against mine.
Frankie moans softly against my mouth, and my cock hardens in response. I deepen the kiss, my tongue sweeping into her mouth, claiming her in a way that leaves no doubt about what I want.
What I need.
Her hands slide into my hair, her nails scraping lightly against my scalp, sending shivers down my spine. I roll us until she’s beneath me, her body soft and yielding under mine.
