Page 78 of Whiskey Sour

I nod as I thread my fingers with his. “I know.”

“Why are you doing it?”

“Because…” I groan as I bury myself deep inside him, resting there, locked in this eternal moment of peace. “Because I need you to finally understand.”

His breath hitches, and I can’t look into his eyes. I’m baring myself, heart and soul, and it’s simultaneously the most painful and liberating feeling.

This is it, isn’t it?

This is the moment that’s going to change everything.

It’s either going to be the end of us or the beginning of a brand-new story.

When I feel his small hand press against my chest and push, my stomach sinks. I don’t let it show on my face, but the heartbreak is enough to rattle the Earth and destroy my very sense of self.

But I don’t regret it.

I never said the words, but I don’t regret my actions. Actions that have clearly displayed the kind of love I feel for him. Actions that have consequences. Consequences like finally hearing Skylar admit that he’ll never love me the way I love him.

I expect him to disentangle himself from me the second I’m on my back. Instead, he swings his legs over my body and straddles my hips. My eyes widen as my jaw drops on a gasp. “Skylar?—”

“I…” He bites down on his bottom lip, worrying his finger over the sun tattoo on my chest. “I’m not good at this.”

He doesn’t have to specify. He never does. Skylar is comfortable in his skin. I’m not trying to make him soundlike something he isn’t, but he’s had countless sex before. He’s confident when it comes to that.

Butthis?Feelings? It’s always been his weakness.

But his weakest parts are safe with me. I’ll cradle them in my hands and shield them from the rest of the world because that’s what love is.

He’s shuddering on top of me, shaky hands digging into my chest. “I want…” As he turns his head to the side, he looks almost embarrassed. “Cassius, I’m not too sure how to do this. I’ve never had to before.”

Once again, it’s spoken but left unsaid. I curl my fingers against his hips, brushing the scars there too, and lean up to kiss him. “Show me,” I whisper against his lips, soothing his shudders. “Show me, sunshine.”

He’s reluctant to part from my lips, but does so with a tentative nod. Still unsure of himself, he reaches back to grasp my cock and slot the tip against his hole. Sliding down slowly, he takes every inch of me at an agonizingly cruel pace.

I realize, as he’s working himself over on me, as he’s opening himself up to what I’m offering, that this might be the last straw.

This might be what breaks me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Skylar

I’m terrified.

As I ride Cassius, I can’t stop shaking. It’s like nerves I’ve never felt before around him are surfacing. Like I’m keenly aware of what he and this moment mean to both of us.

I’ve never been good at sticking to things. I tend to hop from one activity to another. I don’t settle like other people do. I’ve never been the kind to commit.

But I’ve committed my life to Cassius.

What does that mean?

The conversation I had with Max and Everest comes to mind. I never imagined that in my attempt to build a perfect boyfriend thatthiswould happen. I’m honestly not even too sure whatthisis.

Yes, you are.

Trying to block out that desperately hopeful voice, I close my eyes. I let myself just feel Cassius’s strong form beneath me. I let myself dive deep into the feeling of being stuffed and filled and?—