“Never—” her head shakes.
“Say it,” I order, cutting her off. Her blue eyes widen, and it takes all my strength to keep my wall of anger firmly in place.
She blinks quickly, and I remind myself she’s most likely trying to decide what version of the truth she’s willing to give me. I still can’t trust her, especially now that she knows my heart’s involved.
“I-I’m sorry?” Her voice is soft.
“Are you asking me?” Mine is hard.
“No.” It’s a firm reply laced with sadness. “I never meant to hurt you, Cal.”
“Too late.” My hand slides into the back of her hair, and I pull it, forcing those eyes to stay on mine. “What else?”
Her brow lines. “I’ve told you everything.”
“No, you haven’t.”
Our bare chests are together. Her fingers rest on my shoulders, and I loosen my grip, threading my fingers in her soft hair, waiting. My erection is straining for her bare pussy. I want to be inside her. I want to spend this night like all our other nights—fucking and teasing, talking and holding each other, napping and then doing it all again.
But not yet. Right now I want her to admit it. I want to know she ripped out her heart and left it behind when she ran from me—just like she tore mine out and took it with her.
“What’s left?” she says in that quiet voice, so different from our usual, feisty banter.
“I think you know.”
The moment she realizes, a startled light hits her eye. Yes, beautiful, I know your secret. Now say it. She tries to turn away, but my fingers tighten in her hair, holding her steady.
“Say it.” My voice is lower.
“I can’t,” she whispers, pools forming in her eyes.
“I won’t let you go until you do.”
“Cal—please.”
“Save the begging for when I make you come. Now tell me.”
She does a little sniff and closes her eyes. “I love you. You know I love you. Why are you torturing me?”
Boom. Her confession hits me harder than I expected. It’s a mini-explosion in my chest, and that fucking wall is down. Me, the “playboy prince,” slain by this hustler, this grifter…
This woman I love.
My jaw flexes and I focus on the mission.
“Now open your eyes and tell me.” I want her to hear the words from her own lips. I want her to know I’m not the only one with a weakness.
Her blue eyes open, and she shakes her head, conquered at last. “I love you, Cal.”
Leaning forward, I kiss her slowly at first, gently. I pull that top lip between mine and give it a little nip. I sweep my tongue against the seam of her mouth and take a little dip inside, tasting her sweetness. I feel the heat rising in her torso solidly pressed against mine, and I know she’s wet.
Meeting her gaze, I don’t smile. We still have work to do, but before all of that… “Now I’m going to fuck you.”
I take her mouth again, but this time it’s more urgent. Our previous feelings are shoved aside, and raw need and blazing heat are between us. Her lips chase mine. Her tongue is in my mouth, and I lift her, holding her up against the wall as her thighs part, her gorgeous legs go around my waist.
“Oh, god, Cal!” she gasps.
Her chin rises, and I kiss her beautiful neck. I bring my face down to catch a beaded nipple in my teeth, and I’m rewarded with a little squeal. My dick is so hard it aches as I fumble to find her entrance.