Page 79 of Reveal

When I finally come, when my heart is racing and muscles are tensing and body is awash with so much pleasure that speaking or thinking isn’t an option, Ryker sits back on his knees and watches me. My arousal on his chin glistens from the lights of the passing cars.

But it’s his eyes as I come undone that hold my attention. His fingers are still sliding in and out of me, but it’s his expression, the lust mixed with desperation and paired with love etched in the lines of his face that owns every part of me when I crash over the edge.

“So beautiful,” he murmurs when he leans forward and kisses me as my body still pulses from pleasure.

And when he slips into me, the tires of the car still moving, I can’t help thinking I don’t want it ever to stop.

It’s just him and me together in here.

A world where no one can touch us.

It’s just us.

Two people who can’t seem to stop fighting their way toward each other despite everything trying to hold them back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Vaughn

“Hey there, pretty girl, are you all set?”

Lucy’s smile widens, but then without warning her bottom lip trembles. The sight of it kills me. I lower myself to my knees and run my hand over her hair. “What is it, Lu? What’s wrong?”

“You didn’t come last week.” She fights the tears that well in her eyes and refuses to look at me.

“Oh, Lu. I tried. I was here, but there was something going on, and they wouldn’t let anyone go on outside visits.”

“But you promised. Every Tuesday was our day.”

“I know.” My voice breaks right along with my heart. “But it’s a new week, and while Tuesday is our day, we never just have Tuesday.” I try to sell her on why she shouldn’t be disappointed when I know it won’t work. “I always see you more than that. In sleepovers at the house. In dates to the park. You’re my Lucy-Loo. I need you more than just on Tuesdays.”

I pull her into a hug, hold her tightly against me, and squeeze my eyes, praying this won’t happen again.

“Promise?” Her voice is muffled against my shoulder.

“I promise. You know I’d rather be with you than anyone else in the world. And even when I’m not with you in person, I’m still here in your heart.”

“But that’s where my mommy is, and I never get to see her anymore.”

I take a deep, fortifying breath and kiss the tear tracks on her cheeks as I try to hold my own back. “I know, sweetie. I know.” I hug her one more time and then put her hand in mine. “You ready to go have some fun?”

She nods, but I stare at her with a funny face until I get a smile.

“Yes?” I ask.

She nods more emphatically. “Yes.”

“Good, because we have two Tuesdays’ worth of fun to make up for.”

“Like?”

“Like pizza and . . . I don’t know, but it will be fun!”

“Pizza?”

“Yep. Pizza. Does that sound good?”

Her squeal of delight is probably the best thing I’ve heard all day. “There’s my girl,” I say and head to the front desk to sign her out. She chatters away—music to my ears—as we head out into the sunshine toward the parking lot.