Pulling myself free, I wipe my eyes and jump to my feet. I can't fall for a guy this hard again. I can't let him get into my head. I don't need a savior. I thought I had one, only to find out he was a villain all along.
Why should I let someone else in? Just so I can be hurt all over again?
“Laney—”
Anders starts to say, but I cut him off. “Look, I really do appreciate everything you've done for me. But, it's too soon, I can't—no, I won't let myself get hurt again.” My eyes lift to his as he stands over me. “I can't take any more pain.”
His lips thin as his lids lower to half-mast. He looks like he wants to speak, but he says nothing. Anders runs a hand through his hair, tugging it tight against his scalp. Dropping his hand to his jaw, he scratches his beard.
We stare at each other, standing inches away, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife. His chest flexes as he inhales a deep breath, causing my eyes to draw down his body. He lifts a hand to the back of his head, and rests it on his neck.
The thick muscles of his arms roll up, forming boulders under the skin. My eyes are drawn to him, to the way his muscles pop and thicken as his eyes fill with a million words he's not speaking out loud.
I'm breathing heavily, and my stomach is fluttering. I can feel myself getting pulled to him, like a moth to a flame. Taking a step forward, I realize I can't fight what I feel inside.
Launching myself forward, I throw my arms around his neck. I'm lying to myself about how much I need him. I need his hands on my skin, I need his arms around my body. I need his lips on mine, and the beat of his heart as it pounds against my chest.
My mouth meets his like a magnet against metal. His tongue presses between my lips and I open wide to let him in. My cheeks are still wet with tears. Anders notices, and he takes his palms and swipes them over my cheeks.
“No more tears, Laney,” he says into our kiss. “I'm stealing them from you and throwing them away. You're too incredible to ever shed a tear for someone who doesn't appreciate you, and probably never did.”
His words cut through me, drawing out a tender coo. Because he's right. He can see me. He can see my worth. Something I let myself ignore for far too long.
I'm worthy of happiness. I'm worthy of myself.
Driving my lips back onto his, I kiss him like he's the air I need to survive. Fumbling with his belt, I rip the buckle free.
“I want you. Now,” I say against his mouth as I kiss him deeper.
With a husky growl, Anders pushes me backwards until my back hits the kitchen counter. Our hands meet between our bodies. His unzipping my jeans and mine fumbling with his belt. He slides my jeans down my legs, and tears my panties off, splitting them in two. Throwing them behind him, he hikes me up onto the counter. He takes over opening his belt and unzipping his fly, and my hands greedily drag his jeans and boxers just below his ass.
He digs his fingers into my ass and drags me to the edge of the counter. I plant my hands behind me to stay balanced as he holds his cock right up to my soaking entrance and thrusts himself deep inside me.
Every thought in my head is gone, vanished, replaced by pure euphoria. My mind is spinning as I close my eyes. Explosions of color burst in the darkness, sweeping me away to another world.
This is what I need, I need him to show me how much he wants me. I need to feel wanted and loved.
I need him in control, just for a little while. . .10AndersI've been where you are.
I know what you feel.
And I'll never let you feel it again.
Kissing her cheeks, I can still taste the salty trail of tears. My lips move down her throat, and I plant kisses across the thick, throbbing vein. I can feel her pulse as it kicks, thump after thump as her heart beats hard.
“You deserve to be loved,” I say, my voice quiet as my mouth sweeps across her neck from one side to the other.
Laney moans, dropping her head back. Thrusting in and out, I keep speaking. I tell her what I'm feeling. I tell her what she needs to know. I tell her the truth.
“You're perfect.” My teeth pluck at her skin, nibbling gently on her collarbone. “I've never met anyone like you.”
Gripping her hips, I drive in as deep as I can. Hitting her clit, her legs tighten around my waist as one hand grabs my shoulder, clinging on as I push her body to the max.