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With breath as hot as the summer sun, he kisses over my neck and shoulder, then tightens his grip on my waist and fucks me harder and harder.

His hips become a blur as his thrusts turn into a vibration of sensation that pulls my second orgasm from me with impressive speed. He comes a few seconds later with a rush of heat inside me that feels like it’s soaking deep into every muscle rippling from the delicious effects of my orgasm.

Holy shit.

Holy shit.

“I’ve got you.” The amazing, powerful thrusts give way to gentle, strong arms helping me off the ladder and setting me down on the nearby chair to catch my breath. Our eyes meet and a soft giggle rises in my chest, especially when Roman leans down as if to kiss me.

I press two fingers against his lips and smirk as his eyes turn a shade darker. “No kiss,” I say breathlessly. “We’re not a real couple, remember?”

“Hm. How good do I have to fuck you to earn a kiss?”

My head tilts to the side as I study the new softness that’s settled into his handsome features. “I’ll get back to you on that.”

Roman laughs softly and kisses my fingers instead, then he leans away to retrieve his discarded clothing.

I work on lowering my skirt and picking up my panties. “This also doesn’t make us friends.”

“Ah. A hate fuck,” Roman replies with an infuriatingly sexy smirk. “Are you sure about that?”

My eyes narrow. “Absolutely.”

“It’s always good to blow off steam.”

“Exactly! Glad we’re on the same page.”

“Does that mean I can’t extend an invitation to dinner?” Roman asks, just as my phone jingles to life in my bag across the room.

“Hold that thought.” Stepping back into my underwear, I cross the room and snatch up my phone. Lunch would be nice, and it would give me a chance to?—

The message on my screen makes my heart fall down into a pit in my stomach and all warmth leaves me.

[CATHERINE]SOS

“I’m sorry, I have to go!”

10

JASMINE

The wait is the worst part. Catherine’s frantic SOS text yesterday led me on a chase across the city to a clinic where they refused to let me see her because I’m not a family member. No rule prevented me from waiting outside so I parked up and waited.

Nearly twenty-four hours later, the doors to the clinic open and Catherine limps out with a nurse holding onto her hand.

“Catherine!” I nearly eject my kidney with how hard I hit the door in my scramble to get out of the car, and my less than graceful display has the nurse backing Catherine up toward the door as if I’m some kind of threat.

“It’s okay,” drifts Catherine’s voice as I run closer. “She’s my friend.”

“Are you sure, love?” The nurse doesn’t look convinced when she pats Catherine’s shoulders, but Catherine nods.

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“Catherine!” As soon as the nurse steps back, my arms lock around Catherine and I pull her into a tight hug until she whimpers in pain. I try to release her, but she clings to me withboth hands and tears quickly soak my shoulder. “I’m here. I’m here. What happened?”

I hold Catherine until her initial burst of tears pass, then she cautiously lifts her head and struggles to look me in the eye. And no wonder. Half her face is swollen and purple from deep bruising. One eye is painfully bloodshot, her lower lip is clinging to life with stitches, and deep black bruises ring her neck. Everything else is hidden beneath her clothing, but I get enough of a picture to understand why it took so long for her to be released.

“Oh my God …”