“Take control, Macy. You ride me.”
She looked at him, then down at where they were joined. Brad gripped her hips and lifted and lowered her, the feel of her releasing then accepting him once more, exquisite.
“Take control, Macy.”
She placed a hand on his chest and lowered her head to kiss him, and as she did she rose and lowered. The tension inside Brad was fierce, and he battled the need to let go as she continued to ride him. Cupping her breasts, he ran his thumbs over the nipples, causing her to arch back, and the sight was enough to tip him over the edge, but he held on. Damned if he’d come before her, not when she needed this, to understand what could be between a man and woman.
“Let go, Macy,” Brad urged her.
“Yes!” She gripped him hard, and then gave a soft moan. Brad followed.
He fell to his back, taking her with him.
“Macy, honey, tell me you're okay?”
She lifted her head and managed the words “I'm fine,” and then slumped back down onto his chest. “More than fine, I’m Jell-O.”
He managed a snort as he once again heard the sounds around them. The lap of the lake, the gentle rustle of the leaves, all sounds he’d been deaf to seconds ago. Brad had a scary feeling this was pretty much the most perfect moment in his life, and that thought was enough to break the spell she’d woven around him.
“We need to get you back now, before they come looking and then lynch me for touching their girl.”
“More than touching.” She giggled.
He lifted her to her feet and took a last longing look at her body, trying to memorize every dip and curve, because he would never see it again. He didn’t want to feel like he did right at that moment, like the ground was moving beneath his feet. That wasn’t for him.
They dressed in silence, and Brad battled the turmoil in his head. He shouldn't have done this, shouldn't have slept with one of his brother's friends, a woman who had issues, a son, and would probably now want more from him.
“Macy, this was a one-time thing.” He felt like an asshole for saying it, but it needed to be said. “I'm leaving tomorrow.”
She had been fussing with her high heels, but she stopped and faced him. Her expression was composed now. He could read nothing in her eyes.
“I don't want happy ever afters either, Brad. This was a great experience that taught me not to be scared, and that I can be a passionate woman, but you need not worry I am going to beg you for more. I did this with you because I knew it wouldn’t lead anywhere.”
Great, it was fucking wonderful.
“Ah, sure, great, good to know.”
She took the helmet from him and slipped it on, and then he helped her into his jacket.
“Macy, I just need you to know—”
“Brad, there’s no need for this, really. It was great, and now I can move on with my life, thanks to you, so please don’t say anything more.”
“Okay, good to know.”
Lifting her back on his bike, he swung his leg over the front and joined her.
She was saying all the things he usually wanted to hear, so why the hell wasn’t he happy about it.
Kicking his bike to life, Brad decided it must be fatigue that had his head all over the place. Fatigue, and the best goddamned sex he’d had in his life.
Brad wokethe following morning in the room he had booked at the Howler. He'd let Macy go back to the wedding by herself, and then gone in to say good-bye to his siblings before heading up to his room.
Swinging his feet out of bed, he grabbed some clothes and headed for the shower. Rotating his shoulder, he eased out the stiffness; hot water would do the rest.
He’d banged it up bad in the accident, but losing Mark had been more painful. He’d been the only person Brad had ever called friend. With him, he’d been himself, not who his father wanted him to be.
Shaking off the sadness that still pulled at him, Brad decided that he would leave Howling today. He would pack and find Ethan, then say good-bye. Brad had no intention of running into Macy again, and leaving was the best way to ensure that.
