Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Mmmm... Fair.” I kiss the swell and lie back.
She sets the pouch on my stomach, unzips it, and produces a box of condoms—the same kind I had when we were in Vegas last weekend. She pries the box open, tears one free, and rolls it down my length. And then my hands are on her hips, and she lowers herself onto me. Her eyes flutter closed, and her fingers skim her nipples as they drift down her stomach. She’s an absolute vision. But she’s too far away. I want her close. I want her wrapped around me, hot skin against mine.
I sit up and latch onto her breast.
Essie threads her hands through my hair, eyes soft as she watches me. I wish it could be like this between us all the time—the walls down, all my fears chased away by lust and the overwhelming need to make her feel good. I covet every sigh and moan and soft whimper. I want to bottle up this feeling and carry it around with me.
She wraps her arms around my head, body shaking as her pussy clenches. But I want more. I want to watch her face as she unravels for me. So I tip her head back, dropping my other hand between her thighs to find that little steel ball.
“Oh God, Nate.” Her nails bite into my shoulders.
“That’s it, Essie, keep fucking me. I want to watch you come for me.”
I move her over me, finding a rhythm as she gazes down, one hand gripping my shoulder while the fingers of her other hand tremble against my cheek.
“You feel so good,” she whispers.
“Let go for me. Let me see what I do to you.” I brush my lips over hers. “So pretty when you’re coming just for me.”
She contracts around me, pussy gripping me like a fist as euphoria passes across her face. Primal satisfaction rushes through me. I make her feel this way. I give her what she needs. I’m the one who gets to see her at her most vulnerable and beautiful. My own orgasm slams through me, wiping out my thoughts, replacing them with overwhelming sensation.
I fall back against the pillows, taking Essie with me. She sprawls across my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close.
“Best sex ever.” She pokes at my nipple with her tongue.
“Yeah?” I stroke her hair.
She hums and lifts her head, expression soft. “Did you have fun?”
I stroke her cheek. “So much fun.”
“Me too.” She kisses my chin. “I’m going to brush my teeth.” Her expression shifts, uncertainty making her voice pitch up. “You’re welcome to half my bed if you want to stay the night.”
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
She grins. “’Kay.” She lifts herself off me and brushes my hands away when I reach for the condom. “I’ll do it.” She removes it, tying it at the top and taking it with her to the bathroom. The door closes with a soft snick.
She reappears a minute later, still naked. “There’s a spare toothbrush if you want it,” she offers.
“Yeah, sounds good.” I trade places with her.
Neatly organized makeup lines the vanity, along with creams, hair products, and accessories. I pick up a bottle of lotion, rolling it between my fingers before I twist the top and sniff the contents. It’s the scent I associate with her. Soft and feminine. Pretty and sweet. I replace the cap, put it back in its place, and use the extra toothbrush. Then I clean myself up before I leave the bathroom.
Essie is already in bed, covers pulled up, the lights off apart from the one on my side of the bed. She pats the empty space, and I stretch out next to her. I flick off the light and shift until I feel the warmth of her body. I slide an arm under her and pull her closer. She’s wearing her nightshirt.
“I didn’t take you for a snuggler,” she murmurs.
“Usually I’m not,” I admit. I rearrange her leg so it’s draped over mine and cover the hand on my chest.
“Hmm…” She kisses the side of my neck. “’Night, Nate.”
I kiss her forehead. “’Night, Ess.”
It feels good to hold someone.
No. Not someone.
It feels good to hold Essie.
And that’s the moment I realize this isn’t just about sex. Yes, it’s out-of-this-world amazing. But I like Essie. More than like Essie. This warmth in my chest, the desire to spend the night beside her, to hold her. What if I have feelings for her?
It’s a bad idea. She doesn’t want a boyfriend. Especially not one who doesn’t believe love can last—that it’s even real, or tenable. She wants the fairy tale.
Eventually her fondness for my bad attitude will shift and prove what I know to be true: Nothing lasts forever.
And then where will I be? Alone again.
I can keep my feelings on lock, though. I’ve done it for years without even trying. I can have this week with Essie. It’s better than not having her at all. And it’s better for both of us if I keep my feelings to myself. Because everyone leaves eventually.