Page 15 of The Last Thing (Baker Girls #4)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

WILSON

Exhausted is not a strong enough word for what I am right now.

Getting that call from Hallie yesterday afternoon gave me a nice preview of what a heart attack is like.

Not a fan .

I’m grateful Sophia was okay. Even more grateful that Hallie was there and diligent. Not that I’m surprised. Most of the time I see Hallie’s playful side or her guardedness, but she has a calm, commanding side too.

I needed that calm yesterday. Sophia did too. And after the doctor got her set up with all the medications, Hallie kept Soph laughing and entertained—until the meds kicked in and Soph started getting sleepy.

She was out cold by seven last night, but I wasn’t.

Part of me wanted to beg Hallie to stay when we got home, but that’s not fair to her. She’d already done enough for us.

All I did was get Sophia into pajamas and plunk her in bed. She wasn’t coherent enough to eat, so I let her sleep, then warmed up food and sat by her bed all night.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I kept checking to make sure she was breathing okay and the swelling didn’t come back.

Then she woke up ready to go at five this morning and ate a huge breakfast.

I texted Hallie and told her to get some extra sleep because I called out today. Going to work at a construction site when I haven’t slept the night before is a great way for me or someone else to end up injured.

I slept for a couple of hours after I dropped Sophia off at school, but now… I’m buzzing. Still exhausted but hyped on caffeine and the leftover adrenaline from last night.

Which must be why I run my hand through my shower-wet hair and pull open my door.

It’s only three strides to Hallie’s apartment, which is good because it doesn’t give me time to think before I’m knocking on her door.

I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what I want. I just want her.

I need her.

The door swings open, and I’m greeted with Hallie’s beautiful face. Her long, dark blonde hair is pulled up in a ponytail and her cheeks are slightly flushed.

“Hey.” Her smile is bright and more genuine than she’s given me since that first night. She’s spent so much time closing herself off and holding herself back that I haven’t seen the joyful side of her as much. “Come on in.”

She opens the door all the way and steps aside, making room for me.

I still don’t know what I’m thinking or feeling as I walk into her living room.

She slowly shuts the door, watching me carefully. Which isn’t surprising since I’m giving off caged-animal vibes.

“How’s Sophia?”

Her voice cuts through my delirious haze.

“She’s good. Woke up early, ate a good breakfast. She’s still a little embarrassed, but agreed she’ll never take lotion, soap, hand sanitizer—anything—from someone else ever again.”

“That’s good.” She moves closer. “And how are you? Don’t say fine. Tell me the truth.”

Her eyes meet mine, and the intensity of her gaze suffocates me.

How do I breathe when I want her this much?

“Yesterday scared me,” I choke out. “Seeing her like that was overwhelming.” I let out a weak laugh. “I didn’t sleep last night. I just stared at her. Counted her breaths.”

Hallie reaches out and rests her hand on my arm. “I understand that.” Her touch is meant to be comforting, but it makes me more unhinged.

“Thank you for being there.”

“I already told you that you don’t need to thank me for that.”

I shake my head. “No. Thank you for being there and calming Sophia and calming me. I—I’ve never had that before.

I’ve always held it together on my own. Even when my mom was there, I always felt like I was holding it together for her too.

You were calm and supportive. You gave me a safe place to land.

” My voice nearly breaks. I’m aching to feel that safety again.

I’m fighting to restrain my need for her, and I’m losing.

She moves closer again, her hand gliding up my arm and coming to rest on my chest.

Her gaze locks with mine, and she swallows before she speaks, low and breathy. “I don’t mind being your safe place.”

Everything snaps.

In half a breath, I have her pinned against the wall, my chest heaving with heavy breaths as I wrap my hand around the side of her neck and look into her eyes.

“Tell me not to do this.”

My mind dances with the reasons why I shouldn’t.

Sophia. Hallie works for me. We haven’t figured anything out between us.

But when her breath hitches and she doesn’t break the connection of our gaze, it’s impossible to care.

I want her. I want to be with her. I want to be the man who cares for her in every way. I’m determined to figure the rest out, to break her walls, to protect her heart.

But only if she’s okay with it.

“Tell me not to touch you and I won’t.” I dip my head, looking deep into her wildcat eyes. “Tell me to stop.”

“No.”

I freeze. “No?”

“Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”

My mouth crashes against hers, and a whine of need escapes her.

I growl in response, lifting her off the wall and into my arms as I carry her to her bedroom.

“Tell me what you want, Hellion.” I set her in the middle of the floor and kiss up her neck. Her hand lands in my hair as she gasps.

“You. I want you. Everything.”

I step back and pull her shirt over her head, then the sinfully lacy little bralette she’s wearing.

Her perky pink tits are fuller now, and I can’t wait a second longer to have my mouth on them.

As I push down her tiny little shorts, I lick and flick at her nipple with my tongue, then switch to the other, teasing and tasting her as she moans.

“Climb on the bed,” I mutter, reluctantly lifting my mouth off her.

She does, eyes on me the whole time as I pull my shirt over my head and drop my sweats to the ground.

I reach into my boxer briefs and stroke myself, groaning loudly.

“Deck,” she whines.

“You need something, Hellion?”

I drop my boxers to the floor and climb onto the bed, taking in her glistening pussy.

Slowly, I drag two fingers up her center, and when I get to her clit, she nearly launches off the bed.

“Sensitive?” I lean down to kiss her stomach.

“Yes. So sensitive.”

I move my kisses down until I’m hovering above her clit, then I lift her legs and suck her clit into my mouth.

“Yes,” she cries.

Damn. She’s so sensitive. I’m barely going to get to play. But I guess there’s always round two.

I swirl my finger around her opening as I lick and suck on her clit. She claws at my hair, bucking against me.

That’s right. Take what you need. I’ll give you everything .

“Yes, yes… Deck!” She falls apart as wave after wave of pleasure hits her.

She’s a shaking mess as she finishes and finally lets go of my hair.

I’m grinning like an idiot as I stare down at her beautiful, flushed body.

Her eyes flit to mine, and she reaches for me.

Stroking my hand down my hard length, I rub my thumb over the tip, smearing the pre-cum. Then I put it to her mouth, and she greedily licks it off.

“You’re going to kill me, Hellion.”

She grins up at me, and I grab her hips, lining myself up at her entrance, but she stops me with a hand to my chest.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I… just assumed. You’re pregnant. We don’t need to use a condom.” Seriously, why would we?

“Condoms don’t just protect against pregnancy.”

Oh, right . Is it bad I didn’t even consider that?

She pins me with a glare. “When was the last time you were tested?”

“Honestly? I don’t fucking remember. But it was after the last time I hooked up with someone before you.”

“And since we were together?”

I let out a little growl at that. “If you think I’m the guy out fucking someone new every weekend, you haven’t been paying any attention at all.

I haven’t been with another person since I was with you.

I haven’t thought of anyone else. Because I wasn’t done with you yet.

Since that night, it’s been me and my hand and memories of you. ”

She arches a brow. “And you’re not worried about me?”

“Should I be?”

With a swallow, she shakes her head, her face softening. “No. But… I’ve never gone bare with anyone before.”

My grin is practically feral. “Are you saying I’m special?” I tease her entrance with my tip.

She lets out a shuddery breath, then locks eyes with me. “I’m saying you should appreciate how lucky you are.”

“Oh, I appreciate that every single day.”

Leaning down, I fist my fingers in her hair, staring into her gorgeous eyes as I press inside her.

Her eyes slip closed. I know she wants to hide from this. From us.

It’s scary how good this feels. How right. And there’s no way she can deny she feels it too.

“Open your eyes. Look at me.”

Reluctantly, she does it.

“Good girl. Keep them open. Keep your eyes on me. I want you with me for every perfect second of this.”

Her eyes stay on mine, and I slowly pull out and thrust back in.

“Can you work your clit for me?” I whisper, sucking on her neck.

“Yes.”

Her breathy voice sends a chill through me, and as much as I want this to last, I’m barely keeping it together. I’ve been dreaming of this for weeks, and my cock is about to jump the gun.

“Oh, Deck…”

“Hellion, I’m too close.”

“So am I,” she whines. “I need this. Please.”

“Only if you promise me round two.”

“Yes, I’m all yours. Please.”

I thrust harder, tilting my hips.

I give her a rough kiss, then with our eyes locked, I thrust my hips. Her pussy gives the tiniest pulse and I almost lose my shit.

“I’m so close. Please.”

“You want me to fill your pussy, Hellion? Want me to mark you? Prove I’m the only man who’s ever taken you like this?”

If I have it my way, I’m the only one who ever will.

“Yes… oh…” She cries out, her fingers dragging down my back as her pussy strangles my cock.

“Just like that. Fuck,” I groan, my forehead dropping to hers as I fill her pussy.

I collapse next to her, then pull her lips to mine for a kiss.

I know all too well that might’ve been the last time I get to experience this. She agreed to another round, but I’m not going to hold her to what she said in the heat of the moment.

Ripping her lips away, she stares at me. “You want more of me?”

“I want everything.”

Then she rolls on top of me and kisses me like she owns me. Which is convenient because she’s owned every part of me since the second our eyes met across the bar.