Above and Beyond (Twist of Fate 4)

There was no telling how much time it took for his thrusts into me and his tight pulls on my cock to render me practically comatose, but I vaguely remembered the feel of his hot cum landing on my lower back and the rough, broken sound of my name echoing off the cabin walls before I orgasmed myself into what I could only classify as a dazed stupor. I felt Zach’s warm breath against my back as he pressed soft kisses along my spine and shoulders. It wasn’t until he leaned over my shoulder and captured my mouth in a soft kiss that my body went from languid and satisfied to tense and uncertain.

Right… the goodbye kiss.

I could feel tears prick the backs of my eyes as Zach’s heat disappeared from my back and he dropped down on the bed behind me. I forced myself to quietly sit up. Shadows fell across the room as I looked around for my clothes. I moved slowly so I wouldn’t risk disturbing Zach in any kind of way. He might not have wanted me in his bed for the night but he was gallant enough that he’d offer me a ride home.

And tonight, I really needed to walk. It would help me get my emotions in check before I got home to the bunkhouse and my cold, too-empty bed.

My silent escape was looking good until a light in the corner of the room came on. At first I thought Zach had turned it on, but one glance at it showed it was on a timer.

Because Zach didn’t want to risk falling asleep in the dark…

The reminder of Zach’s fear of the dark broke my heart, and I cast a glance back at him. To my surprise, he was sitting up in bed watching me. His expression was unreadable.

“Sorry,” I murmured awkwardly as I pulled my pants up. The coolness of the semen on my belly made me cringe, but I managed to keep my expression neutral. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

Zach’s mouth hardened imperceptibly. I couldn’t figure out what was causing his obvious anger. Was I not moving fast enough?

I hurriedly went in search of my shirt.

“Don’t worry about it,” Zach bit out, then he was getting out of bed. If his irritation hadn’t been so obvious, I would have gladly ogled his ass as he started yanking on his own pants. “I’ll take you home,” he snapped.

“No, it’s okay. I can walk. I’m sure you’re tired,” I sputtered.

How the hell had things gone from fun and easy to so messed up in the span of a few minutes?

“Honestly, Zach—”

“Honesty?” Zach repeated angrily. “Right,” he sniped. He snatched his shirt off the floor.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked in confusion.

“It means if you have a problem with who I am, then man up and say so.”

It was the craziest form of whiplash I’d ever experienced. “Your rules—” I began, but Zach cut me off.

“It’s a little bit of fucking light,” he snarled as he shot the lamp in the corner a glance. “If it bothered you so much, you should have just said something instead of pretending—”

“Pretending what?” I practically yelled, because I finally got what had him so upset. I balled my shirt in my hands but instead of stalking around the bed, I climbed up onto it and walked across it. The position put me above him when he turned around to face me. “I don’t give a fuck about the light, you asshole,” I snapped. “If you think for even a second I somehow see you as ‘less’ because you need a little bit of light to sleep with then you don’t know a goddamn thing about me!”

I threw my shirt at him, but of course it did nothing but hit his chest and fall quietly to the floor. “I think you are the bravest, strongest, kindest man—” I started to say, then let out a whoosh of air when my legs were pulled out from under me. I landed with a thud on the bed and then Zach was on top of me, his mouth capturing mine.

I was still pissed, of course, but the second Zach’s tongue slid over mine, I forgot the reason why. Within seconds, I was moaning and bucking beneath him. When he ripped his mouth from mine, I could barely breathe.

“Stay the night with me,” Zach said softly, his eyes holding mine. “If the light is on, I won’t hurt you…”

I shook my head in disbelief. Was that truly what he thought I’d been worried about?

“Your rule—” I began, but he cut me off with another hard kiss.

“Stay,” he repeated. The insecurity in his voice had my breath catching. When he’d told me his rules, he’d been clear about this particular one… there’d be no cuddling or sleeping in each other’s arms—