Page 76 of Backlash

“Keep going,” I whisper.

He begins with slow, steady thrusts. I’m so full of him there doesn’t seem to be room for the air I need to breathe. And always he watches carefully, like he’s holding his needs at arm’s length. Slowly, Sterling destroys me and rebuilds me, until I’m no longer the girl that walked into this room. I’m someone else entirely.

When his breathing becomes ragged and uneven, he kisses me, and I hold on as his body tenses and spasms.

“That was amazing.” He says, brushing my lips with his thumb.

I can tell he’s waiting for me to say something, but I can’t find the part of my brain that speaks. Everything is new and raw and possible.

“Yuh… yeah,” I fumble, and the only words I can find are the only ones that matter. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He wraps me in his arms, holding me close as my body shakes. When it quiets, he kisses my neck. “Be right back.”

Sterling returns with a washcloth and runs it gently between my legs. I sit up on my elbows and spot a crimson stain on the sheets.

“Oh my God.” I stare at it in horror. “I’m so sorry.” I flop back and cross my arms over my face, willing myself to be invisible.

“Hey.” He pries them away, but I refuse to open my eyes. “That’s normal. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I wrecked your sheets,” I say.

“You can buy me new ones for Christmas.”

I lift one eyelid. “So was I terrible?”

“Honestly?” He pauses, and I wish the bed would swallow me up. “Nothing has ever felt better than being inside you. I just wish you enjoyed it more.”

“I did!” For some reason, this sends me shooting up in bed. I grab the sheet to cover up, a little self-conscious. “It was the best. I don’t regret anything.”

“I mean that I want to make you come,” he says with a laugh at my reaction.

“Oh,” I say shyly, biting my lip. It turns out that I want that, too. “We could try again.”

“We will,” he promises, lifting my hand and kissing the inside of my wrist.

“Now?” I ask hopefully.

“How about we watch another movie and give your body a minute?” he suggests.

That makes sense. “So after the movie?”

His answering laughter echoes in the room. “It’s my fault.”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“I did nickname you Lucky.”

20

Sterling

Present Day

I take longer than I should at the store, picking up ingredients for my date with Adair. She requested neutral territory. I can do that, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to play fair. She wants to know more about where I’ve been the last few years? I’ll show her by highlighting the good bits and glossing over the bad. It’s not the best plan, but it’s all I’ve got.

“Dinner party?” Percy asks when I step into the elevator with two overstuffed grocery bags.