Craving You

Tague’s body tightened. His heart kicked into an erratic, staccato beat.

“Loralai.”

“Just you,” she murmured. “Now.”

He shifted slightly and his cock rubbed along her slick folds, back and forth. Her breath hitched. Desire lit her eyes. Soft pants of air fell from her partially opened mouth. The mouth he’d wanted to claim within the first ten minutes of meeting her. Maybe less.

“You are so beautiful,” he told her, emotion coursing through him. “So amazing on every level.”

“Make love to me, Tague. Slowly. All night long.”

He sank into her. Deep. Burying himself in her warmth and her wetness. Surrounding himself with her very essence.

She held him to her and they moved in perfect unison. Her heart pounded as hard as his. Her breathing kept time with his so their breaths became one.

Their eyes locked as they worked each other into that blissful state, shattered together, and shared more than just a breath.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I feel the same.”

And Tague hoped like hell that was a bond distance could never break.

L.L. felt a peculiar mix of emotions when Tague’s driver dropped her off outside of Kensington & Marks. She and Tague had said their goodbyes at his apartment. He’d wanted to ride with her this morning, despite the fact that he wasn’t heading into the office. But she’d had to get the farewell over with before that or she likely never would have gotten out of his car, were he here with her. She would have just sat there, clinging to him, letting the heartache consume her.

As she took the elevator up to her floor, anxiety clawed at her. As she walked the halls, they felt narrow and confining. Like they were closing in on her. As she entered her office, it felt empty and lonely.

She unraveled from her winter apparel and crossed to the window. Stared at the building that housed Mason, Hoffman & Stein. Tears filled her eyes. Her heart hurt.

Shifting her gaze, she stared down at the street and sidewalk below. The very sidewalk where Corey had appeared from thin air on Monday morning. He now lived in Manhattan. And that made her feel…lost. Like the city no longer held the same appeal. Was no longer hers.

She couldn’t explain why.

So L.L. bundled back up and left the building. She hailed a cab and provided the address for the new facility Max and Len were in the throes of setting up. She pushed through the heavy metal door, expecting a rush of ahh…now you’re home to hit her.

It didn’t.

Because Tague had been in this building? Because everywhere she went, she was reminded of him, but could no longer feel his presence?

More tears stung her eyes. Max noticed immediately.

“Hey, L.L.” He clasped her hands. “Sweetie, what is it?”

“I don’t love it here anymore.” Fat drops rolled down her cheeks.

39

Confusion and remorse slithered down her spine. “Nothing’s the same without Tague. He’s leaving today. For good.”

“What are you talking about?” Len asked.

She explained the situation.

Her friends looked duly stricken. For her.

L.L. sighed dejectedly. “I suddenly feel so hollow. So out of sorts. He asked me to go with him, and a part of me knows that’s crazy. I mean, we fell in love, sure. But so fast. In a week…really?”

Len gave a shrug. “Happened for us. Maybe even quicker than that. Instalove, Max called it.” He beamed at his partner.