Deep Burn (Burned Duet 2)

“I love you,” I whispered, lowering down onto him completely. He stretched me, filling me to the hilt. It burned a little, so I had to take a breath and keep my focus on him. “I love you,” I repeated again, needing to get across how I felt. He’d been there for me every step of the way, never failing to be patient with me.

“I love you, too.” He wrapped his arms around me, his hand coming up to the back of my neck. “I love you so fuckin’ much.” He placed his forehead against mine, and we simply sat there, joined in every way possible.

His lips met mine, soft and gentle to begin with. He was trying to show me how he felt, and although I appreciated it, I didn’t want soft and gentle Asher in that moment. I wanted the Asher who couldn’t bear not to touch me.

I dipped my tongue into his mouth at the same time as I lifted up and pushed back down on his erection. His hands gripped me harder, his muscles tensing at the sensation. He pulled away, his hooded eyes focusing on my face. “I won’t last if you keep doing that,” he warned.

“Good.” I moved my hips again, this time

faster. “Touch me, Asher. Make me feel nothing but you.” I’d barely gotten the words out when his hand moved back between my legs, his fingers rubbing against my clit at lightning speed. “Yes,” I groaned, dipping my head back and trying to keep the rhythm of my hips. “Just like that.”

I felt the burning at the bottom of my back, warning me that I was going to orgasm any second. The build-up was intense and feeling Asher’s cock inside me had me squirming even more.

“I’m close,” Asher gritted out. “Fuck, I can’t hold it.”

“Faster,” I ground out. “Faster.”

His fingers moved quicker, and I groaned long and loud as my orgasm slammed through me, taking over each of my senses and taking control of my entire body. I wasn’t sure if I was still moving as I closed my eyes and relished in all the sensations, but when I heard Asher groaning, I opened my eyes, watching as he lost himself in me just like I had with him.

It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen, and it was me that had caused that. I’d been the one to make him lose himself.

Our breaths slowed, but we didn’t look away from each other. We both knew this was about more than sex. This was about us getting back to what we were before. This was about building the last piece of the bridge to becoming a normal couple.

This was about me becoming part of us again.

ASHER

“I wish we could have stayed in bed,” I groaned as I pulled up outside my mom and dad’s house. Elodie and I had spent every moment possible over the last two weeks alone and in our bed. We’d gotten to know each other on a level I hadn’t realized was possible. I learned how she liked to be touched, how she fell asleep quicker if I held her hand in mine but didn’t overcrowd her. I learned how she snored lightly when she was in a deep sleep, and how she tossed and turned if she was having a nightmare.

“We’ve got to come out sometime. I haven’t seen your mom in nearly three weeks.” Elodie turned in her seat as I switched the engine off. “Besides, she said if I wasn’t here by three o'clock, she was gonna come over and get me herself.” She laughed, the sound carefree and light.

“I don’t doubt she would.” I reached over, pushing some hair behind her ear that had fallen forward. “Your smile is mesmerizing.”

She dipped her head but kept her gaze connected to mine. “Asher,” she warned. “Stop it before I give in and tell you to take us back home.”

I shrugged. “I’m not opposed to the idea.”

“Stop it.” She laughed again, but this time she didn’t stay where she was. Instead, she opened up the passenger door and walked toward the house. Her jeans gripped her hips and ass and I couldn’t look away from it. I was getting hard just watching her walk away from me. Fuck. I had to try and keep myself under control, at least until we ate and could leave.

Elodie knocked on the door twice and waited for it to open. By the time I was halfway there, Mom had her wrapped in a hug. “What have I told you about knocking?” Mom pulled back and smiled down at Elodie. “You walk right on in. None of this knocking nonsense.”

“Sorry,” Elodie murmured. “I forgot.”

“That’s because you haven’t been over in way too long.” Mom glanced at me as I halted behind Elodie. “Asher’s been keeping you all to himself.” She narrowed her eyes. “He never was good at sharing.”

I spluttered. “What? I—”

She waved me away and pulled Elodie inside. “Come on, I’m not letting him hog you while you’re here.”

“Seriously?” I raised my brows as I followed them inside and closed the door behind me. “Don’t I get a hug?”

“Nope.” Mom smirked at me and wrapped her arm around Elodie’s shoulders. “Come sit out back and tell me what you think about the college applications I sent over to you.”

I couldn’t help but smile as they moved through the house and into the backyard. They’d become closer and closer as time went by, and although I knew my mom would be there for me always, I knew Elodie was her favorite. If it wasn’t obvious by the way she’d practically given me the death stare, then it was obvious as she steered her to one of the chairs, not allowing anyone else to say anything to her.

“You ever gonna stop smiling, son?” my dad asked from beside me. He was grilling burgers and steaks as I turned to face him.

Nothing could wipe the smile off my face right then. I was happier than I’d ever been, and it was all because of one person: Elodie. She’d overcome so much. She’d shown a strength I hadn’t known possible. And now she was laughing and joking with my mom and Belle.