Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
Laila cracked open the door leading from Whitney’s bedroom and into the darkened living room, her daughter now fast asleep. The newness of her surroundings buzzed with a low-level static, the stark quiet and lack of sun outside pushing her into a heightened sense of awareness.
The kitchen stood to her right, where the soft clatter of dishes and cutlery had filled the cabin as Adrian had tidied after dinner, while she helped Whitney to sleep. Another thing Mike would never have done.
The rushing sound of the shower down the hall entangled her in a surge of anticipation. She held her breath and ventured closer to the bathroom. Closer to Ramos and the promise she’d made herself about what she would do the moment she came out here.
The water snapped off just as she pressed her hand to the bathroom door. A door already leaking a thin sliver of light because he hadn’t locked it. She closed her eyes and pushed at the cold, flat wood, her heart thundering at the hint that he’d known she’d come here to find him.
Sticky-warm steam enveloped her, and she opened her eyes to a light fog and him. Just beyond that fog. Standing before her in all his beautiful, naked glory. His stare didn’t waver from hers. His body was ready. The silence between them only lasted a few beats, but time seemed to slow, before he broke the standoff and stormed toward her.
His lips slammed into hers and he scooped her up in his arms. His skin was wet. Not that she cared. She savored the sodden cling of her dress and the steamy heat of his freshly washed body. She welcomed his move to carry her and wrapped her legs around his waist, his lips devouring hers, as he took her to the bathroom counter.
Hard stone dug into her hips, but she savored that too. All that mattered was the way Adrian’s hands claimed her thighs. The thrill of him pushing her hem higher and higher. The aggressive way he parted her legs and exposed her black underwear.
This small room was their own little world. A world inside a cozy cabin. One where her having use of only one arm didn’t so much matter, because his undeniable desire filled in all the gaps and inadequacies.
She trusted that he would look out for her. What a strange feeling. Even stranger, that he could sweep her up in something so illogical and idyllic. They played house here. Played at being a family. And for this small window of time, she wanted to pretend all this was real.
His demanding touch brought her back to reality. And what a reality. One where he tugged her panties away and tossed them on the floor. She groaned. Caught somewhere between delight and frustration, which only got worse when he pushed her dress higher and growled into her neck. “This thing has been teasing me all day.”
She chuckled and tipped her head back, expecting he might kiss her neck, only for him to capture her hips and drag her closer. She gasped, as he plunged into her, her next breath escaping on a satisfied moan.
He took her hard and fast, his hand pressing to the back of her head and driving her into an urgent kiss that spoke of something deeper than lust. She panted for air, but clung to him in search of more contact, her need rising to impossible levels.
He pounded into her in greedy reply. Every thrust ignited a new wave of pleasure that left her begging for release against his unrelenting kiss.
She couldn’t take the pressure building in her any longer and nipped at his lower lip. He gave a frustrated grunt and crashed into her with punishing force, his desperation feeding hers, until she veered her mouth to the side of his neck and bit down harder.
He groaned and tightened his grip on her hips, as she clawed into his wide back and clenched around him. The pleasure-pain combination sent sparks throughout her body, and she released a muffled cry, even as she bit into him again. He threw his head back and swore under his breath, his shuttered eyes saying he liked this too.
He thrust faster still, riding out her release. She found space enough to lean back, but that only lasted as long as it took for him to wrench her to him with a growl that vibrated through her body. He gave her increased aggression, pushing her further and further. Like she’d had her turn, and now, he wanted his
Her body trembled around him. At his unrepentant command. At his inescapable need. A new climax built inside her and he engulfed her senses until nothing made sense. Never before had she wanted someone so much. Over and over again. Like every night could be just like this one. And she still wouldn’t have enough.
That realization swallowed her whole and she melted into him, conceding he could take what he needed, because she needed it just as much. Maybe more.
He seemed to read her thoughts. Or maybe he mirrored them. All she could do was cling to him and gasp his name as he pulled her down with him on a roar of need and release.
He held her there for a while and neither one moved. Not until his chest shook against her on an elated chuckle. Like he reveled in the humor of getting so swept away with her.
She leaned back and gripped his face in one hand, repeatedly kissing him hard, gratitude swelling within her and compressing on her heart in a strange and achy feeling. She felt light and heavy all at once. Thankful for him. For this. For the levity he brought at a time that should be doused in misery. While a deeper part of her always questioned how long it would last.
For now, his arms still circled around her waist protectively and he gave no indication of wanting this to end. So, she happily stayed like that. Until his phone rang on the counter by her left hip.
She peered down at the thing and laughed at the bad timing, only to look back to Adrian and the new frown pulling at his face. His gaze switched from his phone, back to her. “I have to answer that.”
Though her heart sank, she understood who he was and what he did, and gave a shaky nod. He kissed her one last time and put space between them, leaving the room and taking his phone and a towel with him.
Emptiness engulfed her and she stayed on the counter, just peering about and trying to decide what to do next. All she could do was adjust her hem and find her feet.
Adrian’s mumbles traveled from down the hall. She followed the sound to the living room, keeping herself pressed to the hallway wall, truly not trying to eavesdrop so much as escape the loneliness of his sudden exit.
Attempting to drown out the details of his conversation, she caught a glimpse of him in profile, the towel he’d taken from the bathroom now wrapped around his hips. He held a worried look and scrubbed a hand over his face. His uncharacteristic pacing over the room’s thick, shaggy rug, unfortunately prompted her to catch his final few words.
“Thanks, anyway. You’re right, it’s not the news I wanted.”