Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60482 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
"Let me take it all away," he whispers against my skin, and I believe him. I believe he can.
I wrap my legs around him as he settles between my thighs, the weight of him anchoring me to this moment, keeping me from floating back into terror. His hands cup my breasts, thumbs tracing hardened peaks until I'm gasping, arching into him, silently begging. The lightning outside seems distant now, replaced by the electricity between us. I watch, mesmerized, as he rolls a condom down his cock, his eyes never leaving mine.
He slides into me in one steady motion that takes my breath away. There's a sharp heat, a moment of exquisite stretch that borders on pain but never crosses that line. His eyes search mine, checking, caring, and I nod, pulling him deeper. Then rhythm begins—slow at first, letting me adjust to the feel of him, then building, intensifying. Each thrust drives deeper, closer to that place where fear dissolves entirely, where Lillian's face fades and there is only Travis, only this, only us.
I dig my nails into his shoulders, matching his pace, meeting him thrust for thrust. The bed creaks beneath us, a counterpoint to our ragged breathing. His hips move harder, faster, and I feel the coiling pull of release building low in my belly, spreading outward like wildfire. "Trav—" I gasp, voice trembling, breaking on his name.
He shifts, angling deeper, hitting a spot that makes stars burst behind my eyelids. "Let go," he commands, and it's the tenderness in his voice, not the demand, that undoes me. "Let me take it all away."
He curses and picks up speed, one hand sliding between us to circle my already aching clit. Our skin slaps together in the dim glow, sweat slick and sweet, the scent of us—of sex and need and comfort—filling the room. I shatter around him in a fierce, shuddering climax that seems to go on forever, waves of pleasure washing away every trace of fear, every memory, until there is only this perfect moment of release.
He follows seconds later, his rhythm faltering as he stiffens and then growls his release, his voice a low, husky rasp. We collapse, tangled and spent, hearts racing in tandem. We stay like that for a long time, until he pulls away, leaving me cold and empty. I push up on my elbows, watching as he pulls his clothes on, the moment gone.
“You’re going?”
“Chief would kill me if he found me in here, you know that.”
My heart sinks.
I know he’s right, and I hate it.
Because I want him to stay.
“I know,” I whisper.
“You need me, you call, yeah?”
He places a finger under my chin and tips my head back, bringing his lips to mine.
“Maybe one day, you’ll tell me what broke you so fucking bad.”
My heart skitters and I meet his gaze. “Maybe one day.”
He kisses me one more time, then he’s gone.
And just like that, the storm outside continues raging on.
MORNING SHATTERS THE silence.
The door slams and Chief walks in, boots thundering on the floor. He yanks the curtains open so hard the rod groans. Sunlight floods my room and I hiss like a feral vampire being tossed into the light for the first time.
“Good morning, Mischief.”
I squint, tangled in blankets. “Ahhh, it’s early. Make it go away.”
He glances at the clock. “Seven. You’ve got work.”
I groan again. “Like you care,” I mutter. “It’s a stupid job.”
His jaw tightens. “I care about your future. Don’t ever doubt it.”
I grunt. He kneels beside me, his hand gentle on my cheek. “You holding up okay after yesterday?”
I force a smile. “Fine, Dad. I’ve learned to deal.”
He studies my face as if searching for cracks. “I wish you knew it wasn’t your fault. You’d deal with it differently.”
My chest stings. “Sorry you have to put up with my mood swings. Embarrassed?”
He grips my chin, lifting my gaze to his. His eyes, steady blue, soften. “My girl’s never embarrassed me, and she won’t start now.”
He releases me, pushing to his feet and turning to leave.
“Dad...?”
He stops, knowing I’m about to ask something difficult. “Ask.”
“Will you let me love whoever I want?”
His expression darkens as he faces me again. “Don’t like where this is going, Mischief.”
“I get to choose, right?”
He exhales, eyes hard. “If he’s decent, I’ll bless it. If he’s a fuckwit, then no.”
“Define fuckwit?”
He crosses his arms. “Meaning he has to be good enough for you, in every single way. Not a cheater, abuser, liar, drug addict, you know the drill.”
Liar.
We would be classed as liars, Travis especially because my dad trusts him.
I sigh, frustrated. “I should shower.”
He smiles but there is hesitation in his gaze. He wants to ask more, but he doesn’t. “You goin’ home tonight?”
“It’s Monday, that’s usually the plan.”
He nods. “You don’t have to, but your Ma needs you.”
I give him a gentle expression. “What about you, old man?”