Chapter 40
ELI
With Sapphire’s back to my front, on our sides, I slide my cock in and out of her wet heat slowly, between strokes, enjoying every touch and kiss as we move together in harmony.
Taking my time, I explore her curves and kiss the skin across her shoulder because there’s no rush, not anymore, not now that I’ve found her and she’s moving in with me. We have all the time in the world to do this.
When it’s just me with her, like this, with only the sound of our pleasure, war could be declared and I wouldn’t give a damn because her little moans and whimpers are my undoing and I would do anything to protect her and that big, beautiful heart of hers.
Being like this, with her, does things to me that I’m yet to understand. Often I feel like my heart will burst, and at other times it melts in my chest.
“I love you,” I blurt out for the first time, unable to stop myself, because I do. I love her with my whole fucking heart, and after lots of orgasms tonight, not that she needed any persuasion because her mind was already made up, she agreed to move in with me.
“Eli.” She whimpers my name, then whispers, “I love you, so much,” as she rocks her pelvis in time with mine, the moment perfect, no need to say anything else.
I push my cock into her pussy, making her body arch into mine, running my hand over the curve of her hip, then her thigh, before carefully lifting her leg and draping it over my thigh to get better access to her clit.
As I lightly brush her clit in small, steady circles, which I know she likes and makes her come quicker, she lays her hand over mine and together we move, rocking and moaning on the precipice of coming together.
Sapphire digs her fingers into mine, urging me to rub her clit faster as she chases her release, rolling her nipple between her fingers with her other hand.
I kiss her bare shoulder, peppering kisses across her soft skin.
Then she’s breathing heavy, her chest moving in and out much faster, pushing her hips into mine and moaning, which makes my cock thicken with desire.
With a couple more strokes, she’s calling out my name, the sound like music to my ears, and she’s coming all over my cock, soaking me in her arousal.
Within seconds, I’m right behind her as a wave of pleasure overtakes me, and I’m mumbling words against the shell of her ear, telling her how much I love her.
She moves her hand from her clit and trails it up the back of my neck, threading her fingers into my hair at the back of my head, digging her nails into my scalp, making me grunt as a wave of goosebumps spreads across my skin, and jerking the last of my release inside of her.
Her touch leaves me speechless and causes my brain to glitch; every rational thought is thrown out the window when she does that.
Sapphire twists her neck around to capture her lips with mine, panting, her cheeks flushed with a delightful pinkish glow from her orgasm, making her look like she’s glowing.
I push the seam of her mouth open with my tongue and devour her lips just as my phone begins to ring, startling us both.
“It’s late,” Sapphire says, mild panic sweeping across her face as she breaks our kiss.
It’s midnight, and that can only mean one thing.
“My dad,” I say out loud, my anxiety already soaring.
Ungentlemanly, and much too fast for my liking, I slide my cock out of Sapphire and jump out of bed, rushing to grab my phone still in the pocket of my pants lying on the floor, as my phone persistently rings.
I answer Cole’s call. “Cole? What’s happened?”
“It’s Dad. He had a fall in the bathroom tonight.”
Fuck. Ceramic tiles and bone never mix well. I already don’t like what I’m hearing.
I dart across my room, into the bathroom, and grab a washcloth to wipe my cock clean. I don’t have time for a shower.
With my phone between my ear and shoulder, I keep asking Cole questions down the line as I finish cleaning myself, rush back into the bedroom, and pull on boxers, a pair of sweatpants, and a T-shirt. “How is he?”
“They think he may have broken his nose, and he has a big gash on top of his head from hitting the vanity.”
Fuck sakes.
“What else?”
“He’s in a lot of pain; he could have a broken hip. They need to scan him to check. They think he might also have a concussion from the fall. I’m on my way to the hospital now. Mom, Max, and Nathan are too but Mom will take a little longer to get to us because she’s so far out of town.”
“She shouldn’t be out driving this late.” I wish she lived closer.
“Vance is driving her in,” he tells me.
Thank God. Vance is the maintenance guy at the ranch who lives on site.
“Okay, I’ll meet you at the hospital. Send me the location.”
I hang up, almost unsure of what to do next. At work, I am usually in control under pressure, my mind razor sharp, but suddenly, because it’s my dad, my own flesh and blood, I can’t think straight.
“Elijah.” Sapphire’s gentle tone brings me back to reality with a bump.
She makes her way from the middle of the bed, bringing the comforter with her, wrapping it around her shoulders, and then she stands toe to toe with me. “Just breathe.”
I do, in and out, in and out, but it’s shaky and uneven.
“Everything’s going to be okay, Elijah.”
“You don’t know that.” I shake my head vigorously, terror crawling beneath my skin, that familiar feeling of undeniable dread increasing digging into my ribs and my lungs. I’m powerless. My control is gone, and my panic is rising.
“I don’t, you’re right,” Sapphire replies calmly. “But you can’t let what you don’t know overtake that. Let’s get to the hospital to see what the doctor says first.”
“You stay here; I’ll go,” I say, much harsher than I mean to.
“I want to come.” She reaches up and cups my face, and with each breath I take, I struggle.
I need to go.
Alone.
I don’t want to talk.
“You stay here,” I instruct. “You have a huge day tomorrow, and you need your sleep.” She’s doing a TEDx Talk tomorrow.
There will be thousands in attendance and it will be viewed by millions online.
If Dad isn’t in a good place, I’m going to miss the most significant event of her life.
She’s been fretting about it for weeks, practicing every night and day. This sucks. Big time.
“Are you sure?” she asks, her voice full of worry.
My hands twitch, itching to take charge and straighten our clothes lying on the floor.
“I’m certain. Can you tidy everything up, please?” It might seem unimportant, but Sapphire understands my reasons and agrees, stepping away from me as I turn to bolt and briskly walk out of the bedroom.
“Keep in touch,” she calls after me, and all I can do is wave my hand in the air in response.
“And don’t worry if you can’t make it tomorrow.” Her voice travels into the hall, her disappointment loud and clear.
I was right when I told Sapphire weeks ago that every time I get something good, it slips right through my fingers.
Being on cloud nine was a fleeting dream. I knew it was too good to be true.
Then I’m in my car, speeding down the freeway as a whirl of fear threatens to pull me under, dragging me in a direction I never wanted to go back in.