Summer Love_ A Steamy Small Town Romance Anthology - Piper Rayne Page 0,226

of himself without her.

But he didn’t know how to give them anything other than this last morning.

She stirred under the arm he’d slung over her, and he remained extra still. He was too raw for the day to begin. They hadn’t gotten back to his place until after midnight, and though they’d come together as if they’d been doing it for years, their time together hadn’t been enough.

Holding her now wasn’t enough.

When her breathing changed from deep to shallow, he lifted his head and looked down. Solemn eyes stared back, making him wonder if she was having any of the same thoughts as he.

“Make love to me again?” he whispered. He refused to say “one last time.” And when she nodded, he moved on top of her.

There were no sexual gymnastics this morning. No rush to reach orgasm.

They simply loved each other’s bodies as if this would be the last time.

Cupping her face in his hands as he rocked in and out of her, he kissed her deep and long. As always, she was hot and wet, her insides clinging to him as if unwilling to let go. And she fit him perfectly. He wanted to keep this moment forever.

With no idea what else to do, he showed her without words what she meant to him, and he got the same in return. But all too soon, it was over. The sun rose. A sliver of brightness crept through the otherwise gloomy morning. And they were finished.

“I’ve got to shower.” She spoke the words softly, rolling out of his arms at the same time.

Fifteen minutes later, she emerged from his bathroom, her hair wet and face impassive, and Bobby rose from the chair where he’d been waiting. He’d pulled his clothes from the night before back on, but hadn’t bothered to comb his hair.

She held up her cell. “I called for a car. You don’t have to take me.”

His heart cracked. “Why?” He was supposed to have fifteen more minutes.

“There’s no need to do this in front of other people, Bobby. We can say goodbye here.”

She stood before him, her features stoic, and he had a moment of uncertainty. Was this as hard on her as it was him? Or had he only imagined it?

He honestly didn’t know any longer.

Nodding, as if in agreement, and unsure what else to do, he took her bag and led her through the apartment. But when they made it the door, he didn’t open it. He just stood there. They couldn’t end like this. She was the only person who’d ever truly understood him. The one who saw that he wasn’t fully alive unless he was working with wood.

She’d encouraged him to spend time in his studio these last four weeks, and that single act meant more than anything. He had to make sure she knew that.

Before he could find the words, she took her bag and reached for the door.

“Don’t.” He pushed his palm to the door, slamming it closed the instant it opened.

She looked up at him.

“Don’t go, Jewel. Not like this. Let’s keep dating.”

“Bobby.” She didn’t say anything more. And she didn’t show any emotion.

His panic rose. “We’re great together. You have to see that.”

“I do see it. This has been a terrific few weeks. But this is what we agreed to.”

“Fuck what we agreed to. We can change our minds.”

She let out a short laugh. “And then what? We live over an hour from each other.”

“It’s just an hour.” He didn’t see what the big deal was. “We see each other on weekends. Whenever we can get away.”

“That won’t work.”

He smacked the door with his palm again, and she jumped. “Why won’t it work, Jewel? Was this honestly just sex for you?”

Her eyes took on an icy chill. “Don’t you dare insult me by asking that question.”

“You’re insulting me by walking away.” He pulled his hand down, telling himself to rein in his emotions. Anger wouldn’t solve anything. But anger was about all he had left. “We can make this work. You know we can. We’re only an hour apart.”

She let her bag drop to the floor then, and she took his hands in hers. A hint of softness finally appeared in her eyes. “You’ll be busy, Bobby. That’s the issue. Too busy for me.”

“I won’t.”

“You will. Wasn’t it you who told me that the one thing you hold so dear, your woodworking, would have to be put to the side while you go to school? Possibly until you retire?”