GABE (Silicon Valley Billionaires 2)

“Why’s that?”

A glimmer of sympathy lit Bethany’s eyes—she knew how much I was hurting. “Because Li Na’s going to get what’s coming to her, eventually. And I’m going to enjoy the hell out of that.”

I smiled wanly. “I hope you’re right.”

She swished her blonde hair over her shoulder and headed out. “I’m always right,” she called. “That’s why you pay me the big bucks. Now use that big, beautiful brain of yours and figure out a way to screw that bitch over, once and for all!”

I watched Bethany as she disappeared down the hall. Figure out a way to screw Li Na over, indeed. That was exactly what I wanted.

But what can I do to her? What’s her weakness?

My phone buzzed with a text from Gabe, interrupting my train of thought. Babe. It’s late—come home.

I almost felt guilty that I still had Gabe to go home to. God only knew where Hannah was, and Wesley was in a coma at El Camino…

Still, I clutched my phone and hustled to the door. I needed to be with him. We were the only thing that still made sense.

GABE

Lauren finally got home at midnight. I pulled her into my arms. “Are you okay? I mean, I know you’re not…but I still have to ask.”

She shook her head against my chest. “Just take me to bed.”

As soon as the door to our bedroom closed, she started bawling. “They didn’t find anything today, right?”

“No.” I wrapped my arms around her again. “Levi said it was going to take a while. I’m so sorry…”

She sobbed against me. “It’s not your fault. But I just keep thinking about Hannah… If they’re doing anything to her… I feel so helpless, I feel sick!”

I kissed the top of her head and rocked h

er back and forth. There was nothing I could do for her except hold her. I got her out of her work clothes and into one of my Harvard T-shirts. Then I held her for a long time, stroking her hair and rubbing her back until her sobs finally subsided and her breathing evened out.

“I wish I could take your pain away,” I whispered when I thought she’d fallen asleep. My heart broke for her. “I would give anything.”

She pulled me against her, awake after all. “You can… You’re the only one who can. Even if it’s just for a few minutes. Just make me feel something.”

She rocked back against me, making me instantly hard. Now that I knew she wanted me, I suddenly had a burning urge to fill her, to take refuge in her.

She turned toward me, our tongues tangling, and an electric jolt went straight to my cock, which throbbed thickly against her thigh. I needed to be inside her.

I rolled her onto her side so I was pressed up against her back. I took the T-shirt off and ran my thumbs over her nipples, which beaded instantly under my touch. She rubbed her ass against me, moaning, as I nipped at her shoulder and neck, showering her with kisses. She leaned back against me, giving herself to me. It made me feel powerful…important. Like I might be able to make everything better, even if just for a few minutes.

I wanted to give that to her. To give myself to her so I could make her forget the pain.

I trailed my cock up and down her slit, getting it slick with her wetness, and she ground herself against me for a few glorious moments. I felt my whole body come alive, responding to hers. Her breath came fast and hot, her movements increasing our friction. I grabbed her hips and positioned her against me, my knee between her legs to open her up.

My cock throbbed against her. I couldn’t wait anymore.

I entered her swiftly, all the way. Holy fuck.

“Oh!” Lauren cried. Then she reached around, grabbing my ass and pulling me in deeper.

I’d learned to follow Lauren’s lead, to listen to her body, and I knew what she wanted. She wanted me deep, and she wanted me hard. I groaned and bucked my hips, already wanting to explode inside her, needing my own release.

I leaned up on my arm, angling myself deeper inside her. I was close to the edge, and I wanted to come, but I held on, because when I came, this would be over, and it felt so good.

I could feel Lauren’s orgasm building as her tight body gripped me harder, pulsing.