Page 20

Chapter twenty

Beg the moon to pause

Lorilei

It’s different now. Like the frenzy of getting past the first time makes it easier to savor him. Working myself slowly onto him, I let my body relish in how full he makes me.

My fingers trace his stubbled jaw as I follow the edge of his lips with mine. There’s this longing in me to memorize him with my touch. Maybe it’s because I’ve been dreaming about it for weeks.

Or because tonight might be my only chance.

I want to be able to remember him, in this moment, forever.

How hot his body is as I press against it.

The way his thighs burn into the soles of my feet.

And the fire in his amber gaze as he watches me.

I never knew I was missing something. That there was an empty part of me that needed him to make me whole.

My hollow ache disappears when our hips finally meet. When I roll against him, it makes him give me one of those groans that I’m growing addicted to.

His callused hands slide up and grip my waist as he arches his back, leveraging himself to sink deeper.

I can feel the flared head of his cock stroking a knot of pleasure so far inside me, it’s as if we’re becoming one.

As I shift on my knees, he lets me set the pace. Each time I rise, I want him to fill me more fiercely.

Faster.

Harder.

His jaw clenches and his chin juts towards the sky. “Fuck, Lori. That’s—you’re gonna make…”

My nails rake his chest as I push myself up, driving him further than before.

He’s so big, it almost hurts.

But, I want it to. It will make it real tomorrow when I wake up and wonder if this was all a dream.

His fingers dig into the flesh of my thighs as he takes over the rhythm, pistoning into me with his full length.

The knot inside of me tightens, a fusion of pleasure and pain that spreads through my limbs.

They’re burning from the inside, and he stokes the flames like raging billows, fanning me to an inferno.

A moan starts somewhere in the depths of my belly as he pushes me to the edge.

Another savage thrust throws my head back, and the thin band that was holding me snaps, sending me crashing into waves of shuddering ecstasy.

His body jerks beneath me as he joins me, swelling within me and pushing me to a higher level until I collapse, trembling on his chest.

He wraps one arm around my panting ribs, and the other cups my head against his throat while we both struggle to catch our breath.

His pulse races, fluttering my lashes on my cheek, and his exhales feather over my back.

As the sweat cools on my flushed skin, he tugs the blanket over us.

I don’t want to move.

The euphoria is a fuzzy drug that leaves me lightheaded.

Content.

In the warmth of his embrace, I lose myself to the sound of his heartbeat and his soft kiss on my temple.

It startles me when he moves. I’m not used to being near someone when I’m sleeping.

But, it does feel right.

Snuggling back against him, the short hairs on his chest tickle my nose enough that my eyes crack open to itch it.

Dang it.

Dawn is fading in through the pines over the smoldering embers of the fire.

Sophia .

That sits me up.

Mason rolls on his side, curling around me.

I’m tempted to lie back down with him and pretend that she won’t need my help.

Nope. I know better.

If she had to get up twice yesterday, she’ll be feeling the effects.

Shifting my hips makes me wince. I guess we’ll both be sore today, for very different reasons.

“Stay.” His word murmurs against the small of my back, but he leans on to his elbow, blinking against the growing light.

“I can’t. Sophia will need me.” A cold stone of dread forms in my stomach.

What am I supposed to tell her?

His thumb makes a slow circle on my knee. “Does she know you’re here?”

I bite my lip harder than I intend and shake my head. “I haven’t said a word. I, well, I wasn’t sure there would be anything to tell.” Heat works its way up my cheeks.

Why do I feel like I’m going to cry?

Am I ruining this?

The blanket settles around his hips when he sits up. His bare chest looks even better in the daylight. Broad and chiseled, his muscular arms tug me across his lap before he covers me up against the chill. “Do you want me to tell her?” A smile tugs at his mouth. “Hell, I’ll yell it from the mountain tops, if you think it’d help.”

My heart skips a beat.

I’m not sure what to say. But, I’m not ready.

Just imagining her reaction makes me nauseous. What if she hates me?

She’s been my only real friend in years.

And she needs me.

“I think we should wait. At least until she’s up and walking.” I hate this. I want to run back to jump up and down, laugh, scream and tell her every sordid detail.

But, it’s her dad.

His knuckle brushes my cheek, wiping a tear I didn’t realize was sneaking its way down.

Sitting here, in his warm embrace, the house seems so far away.

“She’s going to figure it out when you’re sleeping in my bed.” His teeth nibble on my earlobe, sending a shockwave through me.

An image of her, angry and yelling, flickers through my mind.

It’s like a bucket of ice water.

Turning to face him, I tilt back far enough to touch his lips with mine. “Please? Can we just wait for a little while?”

The corners of his honey-colored eyes crinkle as he narrows them. “So, I’m going to be your secret lover? Because I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep my hands off of you.”

As if to emphasize his point, his fingers drift between my legs, making me jump.

My clit is so swollen and sensitive, it’s like being zapped.

“I’m guessing Sawyer doesn’t know either?” His hot mouth moves to my neck as he flicks my pussy again.

It makes my legs twitch on their own.

“No, sir,” I breathe when his tongue presses below my jaw.

God, that growly noise he makes is almost enough on its own to get me off.

“You call me ‘sir’ like that. I can’t promise I’ll follow the rules.” His hard on bulges against me as he pulls me tighter.

Giggling, I pull away and climb to my feet before he goes any further. “I have to go. ”

When he lies down and tucks his arm behind his head, the tip of his dick pokes out from the edge of the sleeping bag.

He’s so tempting.

It was almost easier not knowing what it was like. Now, all I want to do is let him make me come over and over.

“You’re even more beautiful in the sun.” The corner of his mouth tilts up. “The greatest muse a man could ever wish for.”

My cheeks quickly engulf in fire as he watches me slip into my jeans.

I’ve never had someone see me naked. Much less compliment me on it. It feels strange, but also a little liberating, out here in the woods. Knowing the whole world exists just beyond us, it's a bit of a thrill that he’s the only one who gets to see me.

When I finally find my shirt and jacket, they’re hidden behind a bush. Sliding them on, I turn to find Mason already in his jeans and boots, walking Clover from where she was hanging out with Hank.

It’s hard not to look at his wide buckle beneath the trail of dark hair below his belly button. I like him without his shirt on.

“I have to wait for Ford to trade off. When you get back, tie her in the barn, and I’ll take care of her.” He hands me the reins.

Grabbing the saddle, I put my foot in the stirrup, but just as I’m pushing off the ground, his hands cup my ass and he hoists me easily onto Clover’s back.

“She’s easier to get on.” I didn’t really need his help.

“Oh, I know. I’ve just been dying to do that since your first lesson. That was my favorite part.” His lopsided grin makes his eyes twinkle in the morning light.

Resting one of his broad palms on my thigh, he leans closer. “Give your man a kiss.”

It brings a smile to my lips to lean over and have him claim my mouth one more time.

“My dirty secret?” I tease as I tap on Clover’s flanks with my heels.

He grunts as he steps back. “Only until I make you scream loud enough, the whole county knows who you belong to.”

Is he serious?

As I ride away, I wonder if he was.

What would it be like to really be his ?

And to have him be mine.

In all ways.

Is that even possible? I’m supposed to start my final semester in just a few weeks.

But, for now, it makes me feel so good to pretend it could last.

The trip back seems to go much faster, and my poor sore hind end is happy to dismount. Yet, the dull ache reminds me of him.

Clover seems quite happy tied back up in the barn, munching on some left over alfalfa in Hank’s feeder.

It isn’t until I get in the house that I get the first whiff of the campfire smoke saturating my clothes.

Poop.

Jumping in the shower is my best bet.

When the hot water hits my chest, my nipples almost sting, still tender from his teeth. It sends a molten shiver through me, heating my belly and making me wish he was here with me.

What I wouldn’t give to have spent all day out there with him.

This is so different for me. Being drawn to him, obsessing over him. Is this normal?

My hair is still wet when my phone's alarm goes off, telling me it’s time to check on Sophia.

Nerves twist my stomach.

Will she know I was gone?

I’m sure the truth is stamped on my face.

How do I not tell her? I want to so badly.

“Hey, good morning! You look like you’re feeling better.” Sophia’s already awake and sitting up when I open her door.

“Thanks. I guess I just needed an early night.” It certainly wasn’t to sleep. “Did you have to bug Sawyer?”

Please say no. He knew I was leaving.

God, this is so messed up, playing these games.

Maybe I should just tell her.

Her nose wrinkles. “Nope, I was totally fine. I’d have to be half dead to call him.” Her mouth widens into a broad smile. “I guess I was a few weeks ago, because I sure used his help. I’m glad you’re here now.” She raises and lowers her casted leg. “I can’t wait to get this thing off and start actually moving again. I mean, I know I’ll still be going slow, but at least I won’t be trapped in this bed anymore.”

I know she didn’t mean it, but it’s a spear to the chest. What am I going to do when she doesn’t need my help anymore?

“When is that?” Please be months away.

She pulls her phone up and flips through a screen. “Only four more days!” she squeals, tossing her cell onto the blanket next to her. “Finally!”

I think I’m going to be sick.