His jaw tightened and he slammed back inside me, hard and deep.
I jolted. “Oh god.”
He held me down more firmly, and those eyes still locked on mine as he continued his unhurried pace. I locked my legs around his waist and held on, utterly lost, in him, in the pleasure he was giving me. In the sense of complete surrender, of complete freedom.
Then I couldn’t hold it off another moment, it was too much, too good. A scream tore from me as I came so hard light flashed behind my eyes. He grunted and moved faster, and his growl as he came with me was the sexiest thing I’d ever heard.
When I could finally open my eyes, he was watching me, eyes glittering. “Look what you made me do.” He made a tutting sound. “Did I say you could come, kitten?”
Oh, hell. He was so fucking hot, and I knew without doubt he’d just ruined me. I’d compare every guy to him for the rest of my life.
I licked my lips and stared up at him, still trying to catch my breath. “I’m sorry.”
He dipped his head, mouth going to my ear. “No, you’re not. Now I’m going to have to fuck you again to teach you a lesson…but this time, no holding back.”
What? Another shiver of excitement moved through me, and judging by the look in his eyes, he knew exactly how much I wanted it.
The sun warmed my side and I drowsily blinked against the light filling the room. I was pretty sure I hadn’t been asleep long, probably only a few hours.
I turned my head on the pillow and took in Adonis lying beside me. He was asleep on his back, his head turned toward me. His chest, arms, and stomach uncovered. God, he was beautiful. Not bulky. His build was more like one of the guys that frequented Angus’s gym in Rocktown, strong, supple, agile. When he flexed, those biceps bulged and his abs. Damn.
My gaze slid over his shoulder and down his arm. His ink was gorgeous. I tilted my head, taking in the script work. The style actually reminded me of Bull’s. Quinn’s husband owned a bar but moonlighted at Rocktown Ink occasionally, the tattoo shop I’d been working at the last two years.
I looked at Adonis’s face again, his chiseled features, that sensual mouth, lips still a shade darker from kissing me. I had the strong urge to lean in and kiss him again, which is why I slid out of bed instead, as quietly and carefully as I could.
Last night had been perfect. He had been perfect, and exactly what I’d needed.
The pain was still there, it would always be there, but this man, this utterly gorgeous stranger, had helped me get through it yesterday. I didn’t want to taint that with the harsh reality of the morning after.
I didn’t want to risk seeing awkwardness or regret in his eyes. I wanted to remember last night as the perfect night it’d been. Quickly dressing, I scooped up my shoes and tiptoed to the door. I was about to walk out when I spied a notepad and pen on the small table there.
Last night had been, god, life altering—for me, anyway—I couldn’t just leave without some kind of goodbye. I quickly grabbed the pen.
Thanks for getting me through one of the shittiest days of my life.
Not sure I’ll ever forget you.
Your kitten xxx
I wasn’t sure why I ended it with “your,” only that it felt right. For one night, I had been his. And I’d loved every moment of it. I put the note under his car keys and slipped out, shutting the door behind me.
The motel was a short walk from the bar, and I hustled back, pretending I didn’t see the looks from people walking or driving by, checking out the girl who was obviously doing the walk of shame. My crumpled dress and wild hair kind of gave it away. And I ignored the powerful urge to go back, to get back in that bed before he woke and spend the morning like we had the whole night.
Completely and utterly lost in each other.
Instead, I got in my car and shoved in the key. Veronica roared to life first pop, like she always had. But as I backed up, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing over at the motel, the vacancy sign flashing lazily.
I drew in a deep breath, trying to control the weird feeling in my belly. The now desperate urge to go back there. I shook it off. There was no point. Last night, he’d said he was on his way home, that he was catching a plane today, which meant he didn’t even live close by. He also hadn’t asked for my number, and I hadn’t asked for his.
Last night was what it was. Nothing more.
Maybe one day I’d be walking down the street or in another bar and I’d see him again. The idea caused an ache inside me.
Don’t ever get attached, Trix. Men aren’t worth the heartache. They’ll take and take until you have nothing left to give, then leave and never look back.
My grandmother’s words of wisdom filtered through my mind. She’d given them to me the night after I’d been stood up. I’d been new in town, again, and my date was too embarrassed to be seen with me when he found out it was our trailer parked on the vacant lot just outside of town. I hadn’t been good enough.
Gran hadn’t done relationships, and she didn’t trust easily, especially not men. She’d never recovered from the love of her life, my grandfather, leaving her with a young daughter for someone else. She never got over the pain or anger of it.
Then there was my mom. My dad left us when I was born, but
