Page 95 of Consumed By You

“Yes. My sister and my mom.”

Unwillingly, I remember Benjamin’s place. I recall the relatively cold atmosphere apart from when he was close to me. There were no pictures of anyone in his life.

“They’re beautiful.” My heart aches with longing.

Will I ever stop wishing he would change?

I’m standing in a stranger’s apartment, thinking about someone else. This is unhealthy.

“Thanks.” He places a hand on the small of my back, then his breath is soft upon my neck. I stand like a statue, unsure of what I want, unsure as to why I’m here. This isn’t me.

“We can stop whenever you want,” he murmurs reassuringly.

I brace myself.Come on. Get yourself together. You need to forget about him, meet new people.

His mouth closes over mine and his fingers are tangled in my hair. I kiss him back with as much eagerness as I can muster, noting how skilled his tongue is. He senses me accepting his attack, and that’s when his fingers travel farther down until they’re passing my neck…my breasts…my navel…

***

Luke curls his body around mine, still recovering his breath. A salty droplet of water falls from my eye onto the white sheet.

He wraps his arms tighter around me, obviously believing he’s providing me comfort, but honestly, all I want to do is get up and go home.

I find myself briefly wondering if this is how Benjamin felt when he left me to take a shower after that first time we slept together.

“You okay?” the oblivious man behind me inquires. Oblivious to the fact that I’m upset. Oblivious to the fact that I faked two orgasms in the span of thirty minutes just so he would quit coming at me.

The saddest part is he wasn’t even bad. If I were a normal human being, he’d probably have left me well-fucked and satisfied.

A crushing feeling in my chest brings all my hopes crashing down. I can’t forget him. I don’t know if I’lleverbe able to forget him.

I nod silently to answer his question and Luke sighs, pulling me closer to him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

My eyes part with a notable reluctance, hearing a soft rustling coming from outside the bedroom door. I sit up in a rush, vaguely remembering the night before.

What was his name? Leo? Louis? Levi?Shit. I know it started with an L.

I pull up the sheet and cover myself. There’s a sinking feeling in my gut as I realize he may have seen my back.

Just as I’m cursing myself in my mind, he pops his head into the room, obviously checking to see if I’m awake. He grins and steps in. He’s in gray sweats, his chest on full display. I didn’t get to admire his body before. He is striking.

Luke!

“Hey,” I utter hoarsely, dragging my hand over my face.

“I was wondering when you’d get up. Late sleeper?”

“What time is it?” I ask, looking for a clock.

“Eleven.”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry. I had no idea it was so late. I can get out of your hair now.” I make sure the sheet is covering my body completely before I stand up.

“You don’t have to leave right away. I don’t have anywhere to be. It is Saturday, after all.” He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly and I stare at him, unsure of what to do. He wants me to stay? I thought this was a one-night stand?

“Oh…uh, I should probably be getting home anyway. I’m visiting a friend today. Her husband is sick.”