The feel of his smooth, hard cock against her skin sent waves of fresh desire over her despite the fact that she was still quivering from her climax. She reached down between them, and she greedily filled her hand, making him groan.
“Please tell me you have condoms in here,” she pleaded.
He nipped her skin. “I never make the same mistake twice.”
His grin was pure triumph as he reached into the bedside stand drawer and extracted an entire box of prophylactics. She watched, amused and delighted, as he tore at the seal with his teeth. That amusement changed to pure heat when he rolled the condom down his length.
She wanted that inside her more than she’d ever wanted anything.
Without further ado, she lifted her knees in invitation and reached for his shoulders. Nick positioned himself at her entrance and slowly pushed forward, looking directly into her eyes as he did so. As wonderful as it had felt to have Nick’s fingers and mouth work their magic, it couldn’t compare to the feel of having him inside her, stretching and filling her.
When he was fully seated, he paused and gave her a minute to adjust. “Okay?” he asked.
“Perfect.”
He began to thrust with long, thorough strokes. Pulling back until only the tip remained and then working himself back inside so deep that she couldn’t tell where he ended and she began. She dug her nails into his back, urging him for more.
As their passion built, he moved faster, thrust harder, taking her to a place where nothing existed, except the sounds and feel of him pounding into her. They rode to the crest together, and once she began to squeeze around him in ecstasy, he grunted and pushed his deepest yet.
If there was anything better than his weight atop her body, the pounding of his heart against her chest, and the feel of him pulsing out his release deep inside her, she’d never experienced it.
Except for when they did it again.
The last time Bree had slept that well was the night she slept with Nick. There was something nice about having his warmth at her back and his strong arms draped around her that made her feel safe and protected. She wished it didn’t have to end.
But like all good things, it had to. He had his life at Sanctuary, and she had hers in California.
After another round of great morning sex, they walked over to the main building together. Bree was half-expecting Matt Winston’s late-night offer to go unfulfilled, but he was there, waiting for them when they arrived.
With Nick beside her, Bree asked her questions over a delicious breakfast and truly stellar coffee. Surprisingly, he answered most of them. For those few he chose not to answer, he cited concerns for safety or privacy.
She believed him. Not only did her instincts suggest he was telling the truth, but everything he’d told her also matched up perfectly with her research.
After talking with Matt, Bree asked to talk to Sam, Sandy, and Kate, explaining that she wanted their opinions, particularly since they’d seen both sides. They—and Matt—agreed without hesitation.
She spoke with Sandy first, who explained her friendship with Lenny. She corroborated what he’d said about their growing up together, adding that Lenny had never understood why she wanted to leave Sumneyville for a job in the city. That, according to Sandy, had been the primary reason for the rift in their friendship, but she confirmed that the final straw had been when she started seeing Hugh Bradley.
“He considered it a betrayal,” Sandy told her, “but it had nothing to do with him. It was about me finding my way and choosing what made me happy.”
Then, Bree spoke with Kate. There, too, Lenny had revealed only partial truths. “I was very active in the community,” Kate confirmed, “and I still am, though I’m more selective these days with whom I share my time. Chris helped me realize that I couldn’t be responsible for other people’s choices. I had to think about myself sometimes, too. That was a huge adjustment. I had to learn to put myself first, but I’m much happier now. I’m in love with a wonderful man, I’ve got real friends who’ve got my back, and I’m working my dream job.”
And finally, Sam. Bree’s initial impressions were validated. She was nothing like the oddball introvert Lenny had painted her out to be. She had a quiet strength and down-to-earth way about her that Bree appreciated. Sam laughed when they talked about her so-called crush on Matt Winston.
“Every girl thought Matt Winston was hot in high school,” Sam told her honestly, “because he was. He was also a genuinely nice guy. But it was never anything more than that.””
When asked about why Lenny would suggest that she was behind the fires, Sam’s face darkened. “I think, mostly, it’s because they weren’t very good at doing their jobs. It was easier to point fingers at me than figure out what was really going on.”
“It does seem an unlikely coincidence that you were connected to all the fires.”
“Yes, it does, doesn’t it?”
“You know who set the fires, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Sam confirmed. “But all I can tell you about that is, it will never happen again. And I’d like to ask you not to pursue it any further.”
“Why?” Bree asked, surprised. “Don’t you want to clear your name?”
“It’s not my reputation I’m concerned with,” Sam answered somberly. “And I couldn’t care less what Lenny Petraski or anyone else says about me. I know the truth, as do the people I care about, and that’s all that matters.”
By the time she was done talking with the women, Bree was certain of
