Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,52
I haven’t had a chance to travel to California, let alone Europe like I’d like.”
“Guessing he wasn’t down for waiting?”
“Nope. Last I heard, he was seeing someone, and it wouldn’t shock me if, like your Gwen, he’s hitched by the time I get home at the end of the summer. And like you, it wouldn’t bother me. The last thing I want is to just be the convenient piece in someone’s puzzle. Just because you fit doesn’t mean that’s where you’re supposed to be. Doesn’t mean the puzzle’s complete.”
“Funny.”
“Pardon me?”
“Gwen told me something similar, and she was right, just like you are. Except I think she put it something like ‘just because I fit under your arm doesn’t mean that’s where I’m meant to be. I fit under JT’s, too, and he wants me there.’”
“Oof.” I wince.
His shoulders lift in a half shrug. “She wasn’t wrong. Neither are you.”
“So you see? We’re clearly on the same page, and that’s why I was happy to agree to our summer terms. I don’t want anything more than a fling. I’m not thinking beyond this summer. I don’t want to, and neither do you. That’s why this is perfect. For both of us.”
Knox knifes up from the bed and cups my cheek. Dark, penetrating eyes meet mine. His lips curl up into a devilish smile that contradicts the intensity in his gaze. “I meant what I said before. Don’t fall in love with me, Amelia. I don’t have time for it. Neither do you. Now, sex? I’ve got all the time in the world for that.”
His tone is teasing, yet the words still send a burst of pain through my heart. Even after I explained what happened with Robert, something tells me that leaving Knox won’t be quite as easy. I want to squeeze my eyes shut, allow his words to seep into my bones, but if I do that, he’ll see the truth.
That I’m not sure if I can obey.
I remind myself that we have no future. That I don’t even want a future. That I have plans, dreams, and goals that don’t involve a man, especially one whose own future is already mapped out. I tell myself all of these things and only hope I’ll listen.
I reach my hand between us, encircling his growing erection, and pump slowly. “You don’t have to worry about that. The only thing I want from you this summer is this.”
The words have barely left my mouth when Knox flips me over and hovers above me.
“I know our time is limited,” he says. “And it’s fucking selfish. I know it, but I’m going to do it anyway. I’m going to spend this summer ensuring you never forget me. And right now? It’s my fucking turn to mount.”
I’m not going to argue with that.
She’s opening up to me. I’m not sure why I want this or why I even care; yet I still crave getting to know everything about her. What makes her tick. How she became this gorgeous, passionate, sensual woman. What makes her sad or causes the faraway glances she has when she thinks no one is looking.
What does she love? What does she crave? What are her plans for the future?
They’re all things I don’t have a right to know. Not when I’ve set the terms. Not when she’s told me in no uncertain terms that she doesn’t want or see a future beyond now. Not when I’ve agreed and said I want the same, even if the more time I spend with her, the more I realize how different from Gwen she makes me feel.
I tell myself it’s just the newness and intensity of our attraction. The sun, the heat, the sex. All of it’s enough to drive a man wild to the point he’ll make promises he won’t—can’t—keep. So I lock my emotions up, throw away the key, and vow not to find it for at least another five years.
After I make good on my promise of taking her hard and fast and hopefully erasing any remembrance of her ex, we lie cuddled in bed. Though I’m thoroughly spent, I don’t want to go to sleep. Not yet.
“That was…” she breathes out, cool air hitting my chest, where she’s resting her head. “Amazing.”
Pride swells deep. “Plenty more where that came from.” It’s one promise I can keep. I hope she meant it when she said she could stay in this bed all summer. Now that I’ve had a taste, I want the