Sounds Like Deception (Sounds Like 2)

The inside was in better shape than the exterior. The hardwoods were worn, but smooth and full of character.

“When I pulled up in the driveway, I actually believed for a little while that this was where my mom lived. That this was her house. Like it was some kind of perfect maternal sanctuary. It seems so stupid now that I’ve seen it up close. It was only a mirage.”

He turned toward me. “I’m sorry, Syd. I’m sorry someone used your heart against you.”

It came out of nowhere, but the sob hit me. I had held it in. But it was too much to contain it any longer. It was bigger and stronger than I was. It ripped through my lungs until I was on my knees.

AJ crouched next to me, cradling me against his chest. “You don’t have to do all this on your own. You never did.” He ran his hands through my hair. “I can do it with you. Let me in this time.”

I nodded, sniffing into his wet T-shirt.

“I’m sorry I took off like I did.” I looked in his eyes. His thumb brushed over my lips, before his mouth crushed mine with a heavy kiss.

“I know, babe. You were just scared.”

We rose forward on our knees, curling our hands around each other’s bodies. AJ tugged at my soaked shirt while our tongues flicked and lashed.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m sorry.”

My hands snaked down his back until they froze on the cold metal of his gun. I stopped abruptly. I sat back on my heels.

“Oh shit. My gun.” He quickly unsnapped the holster.

He crawled toward me, pinning me under him. My back arched off the pile of quilts, searching for contact with his body. His fingers skimmed my stomach. Every touch created goosebumps.

“You’ll be warmer out of these wet clothes.” He pulled the shirt over my head.

His mouth crashed into mine. Our tongues wild with thirst for each other.

I tugged and wrestled with his T-shirt until it was in a heap next to us. I traced over his chiseled chest.

“Where are your bandages?” I asked. He was supposed to wear that wrap for weeks.

“I don’t need it. I’m fine.” He leaned in to kiss me again.

“What about the door?” I whispered. “Don’t you need to watch it?”

Thunder shook the house and I clung to AJ.

He grinned wickedly. “Doors are locked and I don’t think anyone’s going to be out in this. I’ve combed every inch of this house. We’re alone.”

“Is that your cock or your instinct talking?” I purred.

“Both,” he growled.

He unhooked the clasp on my bra and tossed it across the room. The candle flickered and I whimpered when his teeth clamped against my nipple.

“Oh shit,” I hissed, digging my nails into the back of his head.

We had given up being gentle and cautious with each other. He sucked relentlessly until I was clawing at the quilts for more. He shirked my capris over my thighs and off my ankles. It was harder to work the wet denim off his legs, but I wasn’t giving up until his jeans were gone.

Our bodies slid together, rubbing and grinding. Starved for one another. We had a taste the other night and it was as if the addiction had been reignited.

His hand slipped under my panties and I panted in erratic bursts as he pried my legs wide. The candlewax dripped on the floor and the lightning lit up the hurricane sky. I barely noticed the apocalypse outside. I was consumed with binding myself back to AJ.

He ran a finger through my wetness, circling my entrance before teasing my clit. Was he punishing me? Making me beg for it? Testing my limits?

“AJ,” I murmured his name, begging him to take me. To edge me farther than I had ever come—back to him. Back to us. He sank his finger inside me and I sighed with pleasure.