I stepped back from him so he was out of reach, making him scowl. “Babe.”
I wiggled my hips as I dragged them down inch-by-inch, loving how his eyes were intense and heated as he watched.
Then I did the same with my panties, taking my time.
His control broke as his leapt from the chair.
I squealed as he grabbed me, shoved me against the dresser and put his hands on my ass, lifting so I sat on the edge of the smooth, hard surface.
He had a condom out of his pocket and unpackaged within seconds, then he rolled it on, all using one hand. He yanked me forward, so his cock pressed at my entrance and I settled my thighs on his hips.
“I never want to feel that scared again. Losing you isn’t an option, Alina.”
He thrust inside me and I gasped, head thrown back, eyes closing.
There was nothing calm and gentle about it as the dresser banged against the wall and whatever I had on it crashed to the floor at our feet.
It was an uncontrolled, fierce, wild need. It was as if he had to be certain I felt every part of him. As if he had to convince himself that this was real and at the same time, convince me that he wasn’t going to leave me this time.
This was our chance at a second beginning.
This was us finding our way back to one another.
And it was a step toward being un-lost.Connor slept.
It was still early afternoon, but he was exhausted and had been dozing for an hour. There were black circles under his eyes from the constant worry and lack of sleep.
So, I let him sleep.
I snuck out of bed, grabbed my shirt and yanked it over my head, then headed for the door to go downstairs for something to eat when my stomach lurched.
I ran for the adjoining bathroom, fell to my knees, and threw up in the toilet. God, I hated this. The constant uncertainty with Connor was taking its toll on me.
Flushing, I stood then grabbed my toothbrush, piled tons of minty toothpaste on it and stuck it in my mouth.
The door opened and Connor stood there with a concerned frown. “What’s wrong?”
I spit the toothpaste into the sink. “Nothing. My stomach is upset.”
He approached. “Why?”
I swished water then spit again before turning off the taps. “It’s just from all this.”
“All this?”
I dropped my toothbrush in the cup. “Yeah, all this. Everything that’s happened recently. One day you’re here. The next you’re gone. Constantly worrying about you. I feel like a yo-yo being pulled in and out constantly. I haven’t slept in five days, barely ate and when I do, I throw up. It’s just catching up to me.”
He sighed and moved into me, his finger tucking strands of hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry, baby. I never want you to feel that way. Fuck, I shouldn’t—”
I shoved him in the chest, but all it did was shift his weight slightly. “Don’t you dare say it! You don’t get to say you shouldn’t have left or come back, or anything like that anymore.”
His hand slipped beneath my hair as he cupped my neck. “I wasn’t going to say that.”
“Oh.”
“I was going to say I shouldn’t have fucked you if you weren’t feeling well.”
Oh. “Well, I was okay then.”
“Babe, I don’t want you worried about me.” He put his hand on my forehead then my cheek. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine now and really hungry.”
He chuckled, his eyes flashing with amusement. “I can do something about that.”
Sliding his hand in mine, he led me into the bedroom where he yanked on his pants then he took my hand again and we went downstairs to the kitchen.
Once he sat me on the counter, he made me the most delicious Greek omelet I’d ever tasted.MY PHONE VIBRATED on the nightstand and my eyes flashed open. It took a second to get my bearings and what was holding me so tight, but then I realized it was Connor’s leg over my thighs and his arm snug around my waist.
He was in bed with me. He must have come in early this morning because he refused to sleep with me and stayed in another room.
It had been a week since the gunshots and Connor was still here. Vic was gone and everything had settled, except for my stomach.
“You going to get that, babe?”
“Ah, yeah.” I blindly reached for my phone and held it up.
Chess’s name flashed. I pressed the large green circle. “Hi, Chess.”
“Alina. Hey.”
We chatted a minute. I asked about Danny and Bacon and she told me he was planning a demonstration for Treasured Children’s Center’s grand opening.
Connor nuzzled my neck and goose bumps soared. Then his hand slid between my legs and teased me. “Sorry, what?” I had no clue what Chess just said.