Going Down Easy(53)

He reached out and touched her hair, curling one strand around his fingers. “I’m glad I had you in my life for a little while, because in that short time, you taught me a lot.”

“I did?” She couldn’t imagine what.

He nodded. “You’re everything I never had in my life. You’re loyal, caring, honest. You accept people for who they are, and you’re there for the people who need you. You were there for me.”

Because she loved him.

She reached up and clasped his wrist, pulling his hand down and holding on. “You deserve someone who can do that for you. Someone who can give you one hundred percent, and that’s not me right now. It may never be me.”

“I’m selfish enough to want to pull you away from your twin, but I’m smart enough to know who needs you more. I wish I’d had someone who was there for me when I needed them, so I won’t ask you to choose.” He pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers.

She sighed, breathing in his masculine scent, soaking in as much as she could of him in this short time she had left. It wasn’t a lot and it wasn’t nearly enough.

So she was surprised when his lips trailed down her cheek. Unable to help herself, she tilted her head, giving him a silent okay for his lips to press against hers. And when they did, there was no doubt the chemistry between them was still strong. Just as there was no doubt this was an emotional moment, one she wanted to drink in and remember.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pulled her close, until she straddled him on the sofa, sex soft and needy against his thickening erection. He slid his tongue into her mouth, and she moaned, reveling in what she sensed was a good-bye neither was ready to accept.

A smarter woman would break things off now, but she wanted this. She wanted him, and if it was the last time, she was going to commit every moment to memory. His tongue glided against hers, eradicating brain cells with every touch, tangle, and sweep throughout her mouth.

She edged her lower body closer. He grabbed her waist, holding her down as she rocked her hips, letting desire and waves of passion build between them.

He pulled back suddenly, meeting her gaze. “Bedroom?”

He was asking permission, not wanting to overstep. There was no way he could. In answer, she threaded her fingers through his short hair, sliding them against his scalp.

With a groan, he rose, lifting her along with him.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, helping take her weight off him as he made his way through the room and to the small hallway. “Far door at the end.”

He followed her instructions and she turned the knob. He walked her in, kicking the door shut behind them. He laid her on the bed and yanked his tee shirt over his head, revealing his bare, muscled chest. She’d reached for her top, but she’d rather watch him undress than get herself to that particular state.

His gaze never leaving hers, he kicked off his shoes. His khakis and boxers followed. Next thing she knew, he stood over her, completely naked, his hot, hard erection standing at attention.

Her sex softened, and moisture trickled into her underwear, desire for this man and the pleasure he could bring her overwhelming. Knowing this was their swan song only made things more bittersweet, and she wanted to savor it. He reached for her, hooking his fingers into the waistband of her sweats—minus the splint, she noticed—and pulled them down and off. She rid herself of her tank top and quickly shed her bra, until she was as naked as he was.

And because of the intimacy they’d already shared, she had no embarrassment lying bare before him, only a deep yearning to feel him pulsing inside her, his gorgeous gaze focused on her as he thrust in and out of her soaking-wet sex.

He leaned over, bracing one knee on the mattress, and splayed his hand over her lower belly, his gaze hot on her breasts, lowering to her pussy.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said in a reverent voice she’d never heard from him before, and a swell of emotion rose in her throat.

His hand, a hot brand on her belly, slid downward, his fingers grazing her outer lips, gliding over the moisture gathered there just for him. He slid one finger inside her, swirling around, arousing her beyond reason.

She shook as he pumped in, then pulled out and held up his glistening finger. “I think you’re wet for me,” he said, licking her taste off his finger with a satisfied moan.

She’d always be wet for him, she mused, keeping that thought to herself.

“Please tell me you have a condom,” she said. “Because I don’t keep them on hand.”

A pleased smile lifted his lips. “I’m so glad to hear that. I think I have one in my wallet. I stuck one in there after we started … you know.”

She was pleased that, but for her, he didn’t make a habit of carrying them on him.

“But I’m not ready for that yet. I like tasting you too much.” He spread her knees apart with his hands, leaned down, and blew a warm breath on her aching sex.

“Kade.” Her hips rose from the bed, and he answered her silent plea by pulling her clit into his mouth.

No slow foreplay, no licking and teasing, just an immediate rush for the goal. He nipped at the engorged bud, and waves of pleasure rose, her entire being focused on that tiny place that was bringing such great sensation. He licked and tugged, grazed her with his teeth, until her hips were bucking, and she was grinding against him in search of relief.