His free hand trailed to my neck. I dug my head into the pillow, giving him the column of my throat. But he didn’t cup or stroke me.
He merely tangled his fingers in the chain of my locket and tugged—pulling me up to kiss him with the silver jewellery. “I bought this because I missed you.”
A thrill shot down my spine as he thrust faster.
“I told myself it meant nothing. I believed it meant nothing. I lied.”
A sick excitement sizzled deep, deep in my core, soaring me higher and higher, twining me tighter and tighter.
He didn’t stop claiming me. His body pumping into mine. His touch all around me. His eyes entrapped mine with their gemstone glittering depths.
“I bought you a necklace when I was a teenager. Perhaps I should buy you a ring now that I’m a man. Then again, wasn’t it you who was supposed to propose if I slept with you?” He cupped the locket, his jaw clenching and body driving deeper. “I’m inside you, Hope. Don’t you owe me a question?”
I glowered at him, loose and drunk on the pleasure he gave. “I owe you nothing.”
“You’re right.” His hand spread over my throat, squeezing gently as he increased his pressure, taking every last piece of me. “But I owe you my heart. And you have it. Forever.”
His thumb pressed into my clit as he kissed me, attacking me from all angles.
And I lost it.
My desire supernovaed. A firework of heat and hope and heartache.
My broken leg didn’t stop my orgasm. My concussion didn’t prevent stars from exploding behind my eyes. And my bruises did nothing to prevent the way I came apart in his embrace.
As I rippled around him, he reared onto his fists and fucked me hard and deep, increasing the length of my orgasm, wringing me out until I was floppy and dazed—his captive to take whatever he wanted.
Then he joined me in bliss.
His climax raced down his spine, and he groaned the most guttural groan.
A groan that smashed down my final, flimsy walls and made tears leak from my eyes.
His essence spilled into me, and I had nowhere to hide.
I loved Jacob Wild with every molecule.
I wanted to believe him, trust him, forgive him.
But as my body lay sated and tingling, our limbs entwined and heartbeats pounding, my soul scrambled from the togetherness.
This had been yet another mistake.
It was a fantasy I couldn’t have.
It was an ending that needed to happen.
I closed my eyes against the inevitable goodbye.
CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX
Jacob
* * * * * *
I WOKE GROGGY and slow as if I’d drunk heavily the night before and suffered a hangover from hell.
I hadn’t drunk. But I had indulged in substances bad for my health.
I lay on my stomach, inching my arm across the bed to Hope.
Dawn only just lightened the sky. My body still sang with our ruthless connection, but I needed to touch her again. I needed to be inside her. To assure myself she’d finally accepted that I loved her and she wasn’t going anywhere.
My heart went from sluggish to crazed as my hand met cool, empty sheets.
Bolting upright, I scanned the dawn-doused bedroom.
No Hope.
Leaping out of bed, I hopped into a pair of boxer-briefs and rushed to find her.
I dashed into my bathroom, expecting, hoping to see her in the shower.
She wasn’t.
Where the hell is she?
The sweet, delicious tone of her voice came from the kitchen and energy bolted through my legs. I ran down the corridor, skidding into the living room.
She stood with her hand in her hair, crutches leaning against the dining table and her phone to her ear. “I’m not at Cassie’s, Dad.”
Graham was loud enough through the phone that his timbre sailed across the space to me. “Where the hell have you been staying then? I assumed Jacob would take you to his aunt’s.”
She winced, her back to me, either ignoring me or unaware of my presence. “He didn’t. I’m at his place.”
“You spent the night?”
“Yes. He was a…gracious host.”
I wanted to snicker at her comment. To love the inside joke and relish in our secret. But her tone wasn’t that of a girl in love. It was resigned and unhappy…resolute. “I’m ready to go, though, so feel free to come get me.”
“Okay. I’ll be right up.”
“I’ll be outside.”
What?
Hope severed the call, then turned around with a heavy sigh. She froze as she saw me standing there, half-naked, chest heaving, my heart in pieces by my feet. “Last night meant nothing to you?” I padded toward her, arms spread in surrender. “You’re leaving?”
Her lips pressed together as she fought another onslaught of tears. She pocketed her phone in clothes she’d changed into from her suitcase and grabbed the crutches. “I told you I can’t do this again, Jacob.”
“But we slept together.”
“We did.”
“And now you’re leaving.”
“Like you did.” Her chin sliced the sky as she held her head high.