Page 51 of Faded Gray Lines

“Oh, no.” My entire body stiffened. “There’s no threat.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” I sighed. “There’s no threat because I can’t get pregnant.” I didn’t want to have this conversation sitting half-naked in a parking lot, but I could see he wasn’t going to let it go. Gritting my teeth, I choked out the truth. “I had some complications a few years ago and lost my ovaries. It’s fine.”

He tossed his head back, blowing all the air out of his lungs in relief. “Oh, thank God. We dodged a bullet then.”

A familiar ache pierced my chest, but I hid it behind a familiar fake smile. “Yeah. Yeah, we sure did.”

Eighteen

Leighton

Oh,my head.

Bright sunlight poured through the broken blinds when I opened my eyes the next morning. Rolling over, I blinked it away and stretched while running a hand through my matted hair. I was never much of a drinker, and now I remembered why.

“Fuck me,” I groaned.

A blast of air hit my bare legs as someone jerked the blankets down, and a rough hand slid down my naked ass from behind. “Well, I assumed you got enough after the first four times, but if you’re offering, I’m sure as hell not turning it down.” Mateo sank his teeth into my shoulder and dipped his fingers in between my legs.

My back arched, pushing against his hand for more. I hated my body for responding so eagerly to his touch, but in one night, I’d become hopelessly addicted, consumed with wanting him. Craving what little he gave me and figuring out how to bargain for more.

Not that he’d left me unsatisfied last night. Quite the opposite, actually.

After what happened in the parking lot, I should’ve made him take me to Brody’s apartment. Instead, I said nothing when he drove right past the exit. I knew where we were headed, and I didn’t care. As much as I wanted to tell myself I wouldn’t allow anything like that to happen again, it was pointless. Heat already pooled low in my stomach at the thought of being with him again. I could spout all the sanctimonious bullshit I wanted. It wouldn’t change the fact I had no restraint when it came to him.

So even after all my pep talks and empty promises to myself, we barely made it through the door before Mateo had me bent over the couch, fucking me like a savage from behind. Eventually, we made it to the bedroom, where he took me two more times. Once on the dresser and then again breaking the blinds when he shoved my back against the window.

He always was a bit of an exhibitionist.

“I think we should slow down,” I choked out, trying to regain some sanity.

“I told you last night to be sure because once I touched you, I wouldn’t stop.” Adding a second finger, he slowly pumped them, drawing a tortured groan from my throat. “You should know I don’t make idle threats, Leighton.”

And the way he commanded my body proved it.

He also told me last night we’d dodged a bullet. The words still stung, but I shut my mind off, pushing any feeling but the one between my legs out of my head. It was fine. I’d let down my defenses last night and said things I shouldn’t have as well. I could do this. For the time I had left in Houston, I could have meaningless sex with a man who knew my body better than anyone. I could accept it for the insignificant act it was.

Which would’ve been fine. If it were insignificant.

Mateo’s full lips curved into an immoral smile against my shoulder. “Roll over.”

“No,” I said, fisting the sheets to keep myself from giving in and sliding underneath him. “Just like this.” Realizing how cold I sounded, I let go of the sheet with one arm and draped it behind me, running my fingers through his tousled hair. “Please.”

Hooking his arm around my top leg, he hitched it up and positioned himself at my entrance. “‘Please.’ Yeah, I could get used to that. Say it again.”

“Please.” The word came out sounding more like a prayer than a request. Maybe it was. A prayer for strength. For vindication.

He tightened his hold, his hips shifting. “Déjame entrar, Leighton.”

He didn’t have to tell me to let him in. I already had. That was the problem.

My emotions went into overdrive, causing my heart to pound and my ears to ring.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Hold on a minute.”

I was confused and more than heated when Mateo’s warmth left me. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him roll over and grab his ringing cell phone from his nightstand.