Rush

“We’ll talk about all of that.” I carefully slide the picture of him and his brother back into his wallet. “You should get some sleep before you meet your nephew.”

“You’re staying with me.”

I nod. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Before I know what’s happening, he’s sliding his hands over the bed, searching through everything I dumped out of my bag.

“What are you doing?” I laugh. “Let me clean that up.”

“Tell me you threw at least one condom in here before you came to the airport.”

I swat his hands out of the way so I can take on the search myself. “I brought two because with you, one is never enough.”

“You knew we’d end up in bed?”

“Hoped,” I correct him. “I crossed my fingers and hoped.”

“It worked.” He unbuttons his jeans. “Get naked, Freckles. I’ve missed you.”

***

Crawling up the bed, I take in the sight of Case on his back. It’s almost too much. He’s gorgeous. I settle between his legs, sliding my hand up his thighs. I stop just short of his erection.

“You love this, don’t you?” He glances down with heavy-lidded eyes. “Driving me mad with desire turns you on.”

I inch my fingertip over the plush head of his cock. “This right here turns me on. Is it bigger than the last time we were…?”

A deep laugh escapes him. “Get on it.”

“Get on what?” I lean down to flick my tongue over the tip.

His hands fist the blanket. “Jesus, Emma. Please.”

“Please do this?” I take him in my mouth, inch-by-glorious-inch.

“Goddammit,” he bites out between clenched teeth. “I. Want. To. Fuck. You.”

I nod as I take him even deeper.

“Please,” he hisses out as his hands dive into my hair. “Wrap my dick up so I can feel you, Emma. I’ll beg if need be.”

I slide my mouth along him, slowly savoring the taste of him.

With an audible pop, I release him.

“That was fucking hot.” He points at one of the condom packages next to him. “I need that on me now.”

“That will be my pleasure.” I reach for it, ripping it open with my teeth.

He watches every movement, spellbound.

As I sheath him, he takes in a heavy breath. “I’m going to lose it.”

“You won’t rush,” I tease as I crawl up his body. “You always take your time.”

His hands shake as he yanks me over him, positioning his cock at my opening.

With a single drive up, he’s inside of me.

I moan because it’s too good. It’s so good. “Case.”

Before I can find my rhythm, he flips us over. He starts on a thrust, and then another, each deeper than the last.

I wrap my legs around him, stare into his eyes, and let his powerful body take me to the edge as I watch his lips silently chant my name over and over again.

Chapter 69

Case

The day I found my brother in bed cold and alone, I lost it.

I crawled under the covers with him and held him against me. I thought in my fucked up mind that I could breathe life into him through my embrace.

I knew he was gone.

His body was stiff. His lips were blue.

His eyes were closed. He looked as peaceful as he would have been if he were lost in a dream about being out on the ocean with his favorite surfboard.

When I called 911, I told the woman who answered that he was gone, but she did her job. She got everyone who needed to be there to rush over.

I watched as firemen, an ambulance crew, and two police officers burst into that small apartment to try and save my brother’s life.

One-by-one they left the room. Some were in tears because who wants to see a young life taken before its time?

Today, my grandfather and I are getting another chance.

Mickey’s not Apollo, but he’s a part of him.

He’s the best part of the best man I’ve ever known.

It was my decision when to tell Cadby about his great-grandson. I didn’t want to put the picture in his hand and make him wait, so I got Delaney’s number from Emma.

I called her at daybreak, and we spoke for an hour.

We sorted through some of the pain and talked about what matters more than anything. Mickey.

The kid was named after Apollo’s favorite baseball player. Mickey Mantle.

We’re two steps away from walking into Sweet Bluebells and a future that looks a hell of a lot better than the past we’re leaving outside the door.

I turn to my grandfather.

He’s got the tan suit on that he always wears for special occasions. I had it pressed at the hotel this morning when I told him that we were meeting someone special.

He joked if it was Emma’s grandmother because he’s in the market for a sweetheart.

That brought a smile to Emma’s face. My grandpa loved the sight of that.

He’ll bring a lot more happiness to her life when she moves in with me back in California.