Loner by Harloe Rae Page 0,34

me with a particularly vicious shove. My bones chatter from the impact and a shudder wracks through me. I manage to keep the keening glee on lockdown.

“Where’s your sass, huh? That bold woman from last night had a lot to say.”

I jut out my jaw at a defiant angle. “That was different.”

The brown in his eyes darkens. “Give me your wrath, wildcat.”

The angry purple stain on his neck mocks me, reminding me of my wanton behavior. I latch my lips on the mark, bruising him further.

Crawford hisses as he pounds into me. “Oh, it’s like that?”

I release his skin with a pop. A smile I can only hope looks wicked curves my mouth. “Absolutely.”

“All right, then.” His fingers dig into my ass and hips, hard enough to leave another set of reminders. “I’m not letting you wash me off that easily.”

The hint of pain has me bucking against him. Not to dislodge, only for encouragement. There’s nothing nice about what’s happening between us. He’s fucking me so hard we might crack the drywall. A flurry of emotions bombard me, all of them conflicting. How should I feel about this?

Crawford’s thrusts are punishing, meant to make a statement and leave a lasting impression. I’m sure that’s his intention. At this rate, it’s a guarantee that I’ll be feeling him for days after. There’s no question this jerk is highly skilled and extremely well-equipped.

Each punch of his hips borders on the right side of hurting. I’m tender and sensitive, but the burn keeps me connected to reality. His motions are a mix of wild frenzy and rough corners, never settling into a smooth rhythm. This is very much how I experienced him yesterday. He’s making good on my judgment, poor taste or not, and I’ll ride this wave until we crash. A rush of endorphins has me crossing my eyes. This is too much, yet I need more.

He grabs the collar of my tee, twisting the material in his fist. The cotton doesn’t stand a chance against his brute strength. With a single yank, the shirt shreds and rips down the middle.

The sound I make is pure outrage. “You ruined—”

“My shirt,” he finishes for me.

I gape down at the ruined garment to discover he’s right. Dammit. “Guess you’re driving home without a shirt.”

His teeth clamp onto the cap of my shoulder. “You’ll be more bothered by that than me.”

A scoff parts my lips. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Just the facts, Kee.”

I don’t get the opportunity to lash out because he strikes that secret spot buried deep. With a wail, I drag my nails down his arms. We sure as hell can be equal in this barbaric act.

“Stubborn woman. Just admit you love this.” He punctuates his meaning with a harsh grind into me.

I suffocate the moan attempting to crawl out of me. “Never again.”

“Should I stop?” He glides into me with a harsh upward jab. There’s no trapping my whimper. “No?”

My body is currently ruling above all else and refuses to let a slew of lies loose. I settle for, “Just finish the job.”

And he does.

Crawford doubles his efforts, hammering into me with abandon. Static fizzles in my ears as everything except him fades away. The grand finale arrives with an roar I can’t contain. My orgasm is fast and ruthless, shutting down all normal functioning. A wave of heat washes over me, bathing me in flames. I don’t bother silencing a scream as my skin prickles. A booming blast of fireworks explodes in my vision. With my next labored breath, a sea of black whisks me away.

When the tremors ease and I regain sensation in my limbs, reality crashes down. I wiggle my hips in a silent signal for him to put me down. Immediately.

Crawford drops me to my feet and backs away, zipping up as he goes. “You’re welcome.”

His mood is foul. Too bad mine is beyond rotten. “I can’t imagine what for.”

“The farewell fuck.”

I’m about to burst a capillary from glaring so hard. “Yeah? Well, fuck you right back.”

“Too late. You already did.” His voice is devoid of emotion. I do my best not to shiver.

“I’ll consider myself lucky if we never see each other again.”

He pauses his hasty retreat to throw me another wink. “I couldn’t agree more, wildcat. But, unfortunately for you, luck has never been on my side.”

Healing Hug #12: To stop the cracks from splintering.

I pull up along the curb in front of a modest rambler. Getting the fuck out of Silo Springs, at every opportunity, has