Page 38 of Wicked Rush

“I’m in a lot of trouble. I have things…things I have to do.” The dam broke, the confession spilled from her lips. “I don’t want to get you hurt, but I’m not ready to let go.”

“It doesn’t have to be over. Stay with me.”

“Is it true what they say about you?”

“What’s that?” He laughed, spooning her more tightly.

Braelynn hesitated, and reached for his hand, bringing it to her chest. His strength reinforced her own resolve, and she embraced the safety he gave her. “Do you really do crazy things?”

“I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean. Compared to your stunt on the beach last night?” Lars’ lips lingered on her earlobe.

“Like how you climbed Everest.”

“Now how do you know that?”

“My friend, remember,” she lied.

“Yeah, I climb. I swim. I do all kinds of things.”

“Dangerous things?”

“Sometimes.” His hand caressed her soft flesh. “There're a lot of things about me you don’t know, Brae. You’re not the only one with secrets.”

Braelynn went quiet at his statement, and she wondered if he had a girlfriend. She’d never even thought to ask. Although his sexual prowess was rumored to be great, she’d never heard he was taken. Don’t ask, her conscience warned her, but she couldn’t stop the question from leaving her lips. “Are you dating anyone?”

“You mean besides you?” He laughed.

“We’re not dating. We’re…I don’t know what we’re doing. Things I haven’t done before.” Braelynn paused, her thoughts drifting to their anal play.

“Things you want to do?”

“Maybe,” she admitted. “But this isn’t dating. This is…”

“Having sex? Yeah, maybe. But it was amazing.” He kissed her shoulder. “And I have a feeling we’re just getting started.”

“Are you dating someone?” she persisted. Fuck, I’m an idiot. Brae, you’re going to sound more desperate than you did before you had sex. Stop it while you have a shred of your dignity left. Oh hell.

“I’ve dated lots of someones.” Lars let the silence fill the room. As if sensing that he’d hurt her feelings, he continued. “Brae. What happened here between us was great.”

“Great, yeah,” she replied, disappointment in her tone.

“I’m not saying I don’t want to do it again. I just…hell, Brae, it’s not like this is easy. I’ve wanted to make love to you ever since we danced. But I date other women. And you said you’re leaving, remember?”

“No, it’s okay. Just casual. No worries,” Braelynn told him, her heart tightening with the lie.

“I’m attracted to you. But like you just said, you’ve got some serious shit going on. You aren’t telling me everything. You told me you’re leaving…”

“I’m sorry,” she interrupted. Selfish, selfish, selfish. She wished she could get up and scrub the delightful memory of their lovemaking from her memory.

“One weekend. I’ll keep you safe. You’ll get whatever the fuck you need out of your office and then we’ll take it from there. It’s all I can promise right now.”

Braelynn’s pulse raced as he rolled her over to face him. Her fiery eyes met his, the connection growing more intense by the second. He took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips.

“I don’t know what’s going on between us. I just know that I don’t want it to end.”

“Yes,” she responded.

“What?” a look of confusion washed across his face.