Murder_ A Sinful Secrets Romance - Ella James Page 0,156

the same way. I find her core and linger there, applying gentle pressure so I spread her, but not pushing in. Gwenna’s body trembles.

“Please!”

“My pretty, pink Piglet...”

“Barrett!”

I chuckle as I thrust, burying the tip inside her.

Gwenna moans. That sound is music to my ears. “Sweet Gwen...”

I bury myself balls deep, and now it’s my turn to moan—more of a grunt, really. “Aghh…so fucking tight.” I lift her by her hips, pulling her off my dick and slamming her back down on it. She gasps and grabs a handful of my hair. Her cunt squeezes my cock. I feel my balls draw up and throb; my cock swells inside her. Gwenna feels it too. She squirms and grabs my neck, pushing her breasts against my chest as my hands grip her hips and she starts to bounce atop me. I can feel her coming as I start to lose control myself. My hands lose their grip as her pussy milks my dick and with a final grunt, I blow inside her.

As I carry her to bed, so clean and soft and sweet, life feels right for the first time in as long as I remember.

GWENNA

Barrett has his usual early morning dream, but this time, I pull his torso into my lap and rock him, patting his cheek until his eyes peek open. His brows draw down, and I watch him blink a few times as he tries to come fully awake. I kiss his throat and jaw and cheek and whisper sweet things to him. There’s this moment when his face twists like he’s eaten something bitter, and I think he might cry. I pull his cheek against my neck, and Barrett locks his arms around me. He squeezes me so tightly it hurts my shoulders.

“It’s okay…”

“The liver shot,” he rasps. He swallows, folding himself around me.

I don’t press for details, just cuddle him and say a silent prayer. A few minutes later, I feel his body slacken against mine.

A few hours later, I wake up in Barrett’s lap, with his mouth brushing over mine.

I smile. He smiles down at me.

“Wake up, buttercup.”

I snuggle up against his chest. “It’s too…sunny.”

Barrett laughs. “You’re cute, Piglet.” I feel his lips press against my forehead. “I’ve gotta say bye to Kelly,” he says softly. “Want to walk over with me?”

“For sure.”

In front of Barrett’s house, I hug Kellan and Cleo, then watch as Barrett hugs them both. He squeezes Kellan tightly and pats Cleo’s back as he hugs her.

“Be safe. Let us know how the driving goes.”

I’m giddy that he said us, so as they get into Kellan’s car and we sit on the steps together, I’m hiding a big smile behind one hand.

I watch them load up as Barrett’s fingers thread through mine. Kellan, like Barrett, is protective, his hand brushing Cleo’s shoulder even as she hoists herself into the SUV. I see him smile at her before he closes the door, and it’s like the smile I get from Barrett sometimes—pure sweetness.

I’m surprised when Barrett gets up one more time as Kellan walks around the car to get into the driver’s side. The two clasp in a firm guy hug. I can’t tell who hugs whom harder, but it’s wonderful to see. They both look calm and bright-eyed when they pull away. Satisfied, I think.

Kellan grins and slaps his brother’s arm one more time. “Take care, B.”

“You too, little bro.” Bear pulls his brother close and I think I hear him say, “I’ll do it.”

I find out later what he means he’ll do is see a counselor. I’m pleasantly surprised that, at some point last night, Kellan mentioned the idea to Barrett. Bear tells me both Kelly and Cleo had “some issues” after what they went through with the bone marrow transplant, so they were both “seeing a shrink.”

I flash him a knowing smile. “It’s not a bad idea.”

“What’s yours’ name?” he asks, a glint of skepticism in his eyes.

“Helga. And actually, I see her tomorrow. Would you like me to ask her for the name of someone who works with veterans?”

Barrett leans his head against the couch’s back and blinks up at the ceiling. His eyes glide to mine. “What would I do?” he asks in a quiet, low voice. “If I went?”

I deadpan, “Well, the first thing is the physical. You’ll just undress, and he or she will check for—”

His eyes get so wide, so fast, I can’t help laughing, which morphs into howling. Barrett wraps his arm around my