“Lift up,” he commands, guiding me. He helps me move back, reaching a hand between us and lining himself up. He steadies me, lowering me down onto him, deep and slow. He groans and my fingers dig into his abs as I stretch to accommodate him. His eyes lock onto mine, pupils blown wide with hunger.
“Fuck,” he rasps through gritted teeth. “Take what you need. Ride me.” His hands slide up my waist, fitting perfectly into the curves at my ribs.
He thrusts his hips up and I gasp as he bottoms out. The muscles on his stomach flex beneath my palms. I grind on top of him, taking my pleasure and chasing what feels good. His grip tightens as he watches me move. His chin tipped down, storm-gray eyes locked on where we’re joined. A rough sound claws its way out of his throat, hips canting up instinctively.
“Christ,” he grits out. “I fuckin’ love how greedy you get for it.”
His hands slide around to palm my ass, guiding my movements. He’s not forcing, but urging, until the rhythm is perfect. Every roll of my hips has him biting back a groan.
The pace is a slow deliberate drag. His cock presses into that sensitive spot inside me, while my clit grinds against the rough trail of hair leading down his abdomen. His jaw is clenched tight, veins standing out on his forearms as he fights the need to take over.
“Look at you,” he praises, “ridin’ me like it’s your goddamn job.”
His thumb finds my clit again and I whimper. He circles it in time with each roll of my hips until I flutter around him.
His eyes darken when he feels it, “Yeah, there it is.”
My orgasm crashes through me like a wave, slow building at first, then all consuming, drawing out a broken cry from my lipsas my body locks around him. He doesn’t stop, grasping tighter to keep me moving as pleasure whites out my vision.
“That’s it,” he growls, “fuckin’ milk me dry.”
His release follows hard, a rough groan tears from his chest as he spills into the condom, hips jerking up into mine a final time before stilling underneath me. I collapse, my face turned to the side with my cheek pressed over the pounding of his heart. For a long moment, the only sound is our breathing.
He slides his hand up my spine. “Still think we aren’t even?”
“I owe you one,” I mumble.
His hand stops moving for a heartbeat before he laughs. He traces idle patterns over my shoulder blades. “That was me bein’ an idiot,” he mutters, voice gravelly with satisfaction. “We’re square, Sunshine.” He tips his head to kiss my temple.
“Okay,” I concede. I’m not really in an argumentative mindset after two mind-blowing orgasms.
He grunts, clearly not believing me, but he lets it slide. His palm drifts down to rest on my lower back, fingers splayed possessively. “Gonna need fuel if we’re keepin’ this up,” he states. “Pancakes or eggs? And before you say anything, yes, there’s bacon.”
“Pancakes,” I mutter, making no move to get off of him. Pancakes after sex sound divine but I’m boneless and content.
Griffin presses another brief kiss to my forehead before pulling out, making us both grunt. He walks to the bathroom to get rid of the condom and clean up, grabbing his sweatpants on the way. He practically swaggers back into the bedroom.
“You stay there,” he orders over his shoulder. “I’ll make breakfast. Don’t try to come and help. I’ll end up bendin’ you over the table.”
I can’t tell if that’s a challenge or a threat. I laugh as he goes out the door and down the hallway, checking his phone on the way.
I go to the bathroom to pee and get dressed. I’m in an exceptionally good mood. After everything that’s happened these last two weeks, I’m surprised I can be this happy. I know I told him I don’t do feelings but he was right. There’s no universe where I could be physical with this man and not feel something. I was lying to us both. I brush my hair, humming to myself.
He shouts down the hall, “How do you feel about waffles instead?”
~ Griffin Colson ~
I DON’T KNOW WHAT Idid to deserve this much light. After making her waffles, we sit down and eat together while she goes on about the latest book she’s reading on that device of hers. And I actually fucking listen. It’s like every word that comes out of her mouth is precious in a way that deserves attention. I need to know every last thought that’s running around in her head. I have to make sure the darkness that has been lingering since I found her is swept away. It’s a compulsion at this point. The only thing that matters is her. I don’t know when I fell so hard and I know I shouldn’t have but I can’t find it in me to give a shit about it.
She’s a weakness. A weapon that could be used against me by any one of the scummy assholes I hunt down. It’s not only Sokolov she has to worry about. It’s every single contract I have taken or will take. And the men I hunt are capable of far worse than what she went through. I exist solely to keep that level of darkness from ever dulling her shine again. It’s like the sky parted and the sun sent down a beam just for me. And I intend to hang onto that feeling for as long as she’ll let me.
I get a text from Jax about her store. All the upgrades I ordered are installed. Now that Sokolov’s men have scattered and he’s in the wind, there’s no reason to keep her isolated anymore. As much as I hate the idea of letting her go, I know she needs that routine, that normalcy. She needs her store like I need to hunt and I’ll never take that from her.
I move around the cabin quietly packing her things. I get her soaps, loofah, and hygiene stuff from the bathroom. I find her clothes scattered around and fold them, putting them in her suitcase. She’s been going crazy trapped here for two weeks but she hasn’t fussed. She never hounded me about when she could go back, waiting patiently for me to fulfil my promise. I told her to give me seven days. She gave me longer than that without complaint. And I let her down.
I stash her things in the jeep and head inside. Going into the bedroom, I sit on the edge of the bed and lightly touch her shoulder. She looks peaceful like this. Her eyes closed, her breath soft. It awakens something in me that’s fierce and protective.
“Sunshine,” I coax gently. “Wake up. We’ve got somewhere to be.”
