Page 90 of Too Far

His words soothe me as his body takes me higher. Every thrust grinds his pelvic bone against my clit. I wrap my legs around his lower half, desperate to be even closer now that he’s finally letting me in.

“Don’t let me go.” I claw at his scalp, pulling his face down to meet mine, begging him to keep me.

“I won’t let them take you,” he promises with a kiss.

Slow and steady, my orgasm builds. It’s deep, bottomless. Every emotion I’ve been hit with tonight gathers in the pit of my stomach and swirls, mixing with the pleasure he’s providing.

“Decker,” I whimper again. This time it isn’t with want.

I have no more requests, only the desire for him to meet me where I am. To join me as we tip over the edge together.

“Come with me,” I whisper as the first wave erupts in my core and my walls clench around his length.

He kisses me, groaning into my mouth, and with a few hard thrusts, he joins me.

We’re silent as we come down, wrung out from the horrors and the ecstasy of this night.

He rests his forehead against mine once more, then kisses me tenderly.

“Never again.” His words are soft and low, but the meaning is overpowering.

With a final kiss, he wraps his arm around my midsection and rolls to his side, cuddling me close.

Chapter 40

Decker

Herchestrisesandfalls. The hair fanned out around her tickles against my chest with each inhalation.

I hold her. I kiss her. I watch for and relish each breath she takes.

The visual of her in my bed, the knowledge that tonight, she’s in my arms and she’s safe, are gifts I don’t take for granted.

She looks gorgeous; peaceful; sated. She looks like mine.

I allow myself to commit this moment to memory. To revel in the fantasy that this is real, and that Josephine and I are just getting started.

I allow myself to indulge in the way she feels curled up beside me, the press of her ass against my bare thighs, the tickle of her cold feet between my calves.

I allow myself to feel it all.

Because this is the one and only time I’ll ever allow this to happen.

Tonight wasn’t just eye-opening, it was course-correcting.

It was the reality check I sorely needed.

As devastating as it was, I’m grateful it came when it did.

Tonight was a stark reminder of who I am and what’s required of me.

I won’t allow her to give what the world wants from me. They don’t get her—they can’t have her.

Protecting her means letting her go. It took far too long, but I’m finally ready to accept that fate.

My heart beats out an erratic rhythm every time my mind wanders to what the morning will bring. I shake off the thought again, burying it down for now. It’s for the best.

For her.