Page 147 of Things I Read About

He puts his forehead to mine. “Now sit, baby. Take your time.”

I do. Even slowly, it’s a lot.

“Good girl. Breathe for me.”

I do. I open my eyes and stare into his, sinking all the way down.

He hisses out a breath, still looking into my eyes. “So good, baby. You feel like heaven. Move when you’re ready.”

After some kissing, I start to move.

Nate stares at me under heavy lids and groans, empowering me.

I push off his hands and work him as hard as I can.

After just a minute or two his hands go to my waist. “My turn.”

What does that mean?

Oh

Nate is the one moving now.

I cry out.

“Hold onto the headboard, Sally.”

I obey.

He almost splits me in two.

“Nate!” I close my eyes. “Nate!”

“Yes, baby. Look at you!” He moans and moves faster.

I scream his name again, as bright heat overtakes me.

“Good, baby. One more.” He keeps going, harder, faster, kissing, pinching, killing me.

I explode again and this time he does too. I collapse onto him, and we pant together.

I feel him come back to consciousness. His arms go from his sides to wrap around me and hold me to his chest.

He pulls me back to look at me. “I am now positive that God exists. And he made you just for me. I mean. Wow.” He kisses me softly. “Are you okay? How’s your shoulder?”

“I’m fine.” I smile. “And I love you.”

He smiles, the widest I’ve ever seen. “I love you too.” He lifts me off of him and gets up. “And I listened to all those books out there.”

“You did?”

“Every smutty little one. Some of them were pretty good. Some of them were really ridiculous.” He talks over his shoulder as he goes to the restroom. “How many times can you read about a hostage falling for her kidnapper?”

I laugh.

He comes back in, naked and spectacular. “Many times, is apparently the answer. But what I’m getting at is I know those books, so I have plans for you, Canton Five.”

“What? What plans.”