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“God, Theo, faster,” she ordered. Her thighs tensed, her pussy tightened, and her head dropped back. Her blonde hair swung back and forth. Her tits bounced. Her skin flushed.

She came with a moan and a smile, and it was the sexiest thing I’d seen in my life.

By far.

When she finished, I moved my hands from her hips so she could go slow. She continued with the same rigorous pace anyway, looking down at me. A wicked smile curved her lips right before she scratched her nails down my chest and abs. Reaching our connection, she pushed my hand to the side and stroked her clit. Her fingertips rubbed against my cock, making me groan.

As her eyes went unfocused and dazed, I took control of her hips again. Lifting her, I yanked her back down and raised my hips. There was no smooth flow to our movements, only a savage rhythm.

I rolled her onto her back and gripped her thighs, spreading them. Each time I inched out, her pussy seemed to squeeze tight and pull me back in.

“For the rest of my life,” I growled, nearly mindless, “this is my pussy. This is where I belong. What belongs to me.”

This time when she came, I exploded with her. My first shot of come marked her insides as mine. It took my last bit of control to pull out and wrap our fists around the base of my cock. Her hand under mine, I stroked fast until the rest of my orgasm was shooting all over her stomach and tits, marking her outside as mine, too.

Maybe I am a monster.

Drained but still hard, I lowered my body over hers and took her mouth in a soft and tender kiss. When she pulled away, gasping in a breath, I rolled onto my back and pulled her tight against me.

“I’m glad you’re home,” Dahlia whispered, resting her head on my shoulder.

“So am I, gattina.” I trailed my hand down her spine to squeeze her ass. “So am I.”

Dahlia

Pee.

My eyes shot open as my bladder screamed at me. With Theo’s heavy arms draped across me and Gus curled on my side, it was no wonder. I moved both off me and stood, padding to the bathroom. As I washed my hands and glanced in the mirror, clarity hit me and I remembered the day before.

With as much vodka as I’d drank, I’d clearly been more booze than woman.

I’d also attacked Theo, scratching and biting before having sex. This wasn’t a bad thing necessarily, but it didn’t make me feel great. Mostly because my path was still unclear, and I didn’t like feeling as if I were leading him on.

Or, worse, using him.

I splashed cold water on my face before opening the door and taking a few steps toward the bed. Light streamed in from the window, illuminating Theo, naked and on his side. His face was relaxed, and so handsome it still seemed unreal.

Changing directions, I crept from the room, easing the door closed behind me. I opened the spare bedroom I’d used when Theo had first gone to prison. The bed was made, any trace of me gone. I left the door ajar for Gus, and so Theo didn’t worry. Climbing into bed, I covered up and blinked back tears.

I couldn’t sleep with Theo, falling back into old habits and routines, only to decide I couldn’t stay. If I was going to be with him, I needed to be all in.

Despite Julie’s advice and input, I still wasn’t sure if I could accept what Theo did. His motives may have been understandable, even justifiable, but that didn’t make itright.

The road to hell was paved with good intentions, and he was in the express lane.

Being separated from him while he was away had made me feel like I was split in two. I thought once he was back, that feeling would go away. Instead, I was still being torn. Between the good and bad. The right and wrong. The dark and light.

And I wasn’t even sure which was which anymore.

???

I’d thought I’d grown used to waking up alone. As I opened my eyes later that morning, I didn’t have those few blissful moments before I remembered how messy my life had become. My head pounded, my eyes were scratchy, and my body ached.

I peeked my head into Theo’s room, finding it empty. Showering quickly, I pulled my hair into a messy bun before throwing on some jeans and a sweater. I crept down the steps, turning toward the kitchen only to stop short.

Theo sat at the island, reading a newspaper. Not looking away from it, he fed Gus small pieces of bacon.

He looked exhausted, with deep, dark circles under his eyes. His hair was a mess, as if he’d been running his hands through it. It didn’t match with his impeccable sweater and slacks.