CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CAYLEE
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My eyes blink open, and I can’t work out why my body is on fire. My thighs are soaked.
Oh.
Ohhhh.
Lord have mercy.
Jake is under the covers, between my legs, and his tongue is gliding through my sex. My throbbing sex.
“Jake,” I snake my hand under the covers and slide my fingers through his hand, clutching it as I arch my hips up.
I don’t get far. He’s got a hold of them and devouring me like I’m a dripping ice cream.
Holy hell.
As my climax explodes, my eyes still blinking awake, Jake climbs over my body and his cock slips easily inside me, already sheathed.
I love a man who plans ahead.
His cock deep inside me first thing in the morning is one of the best feelings in the world. Thick, full and powerful.
“Yes,” I moan, taking in the huge man towering over me. My fingers roam his wide shoulders as he thrusts in and out slowly, lazily. The chemistry between us hasn’t even begun to fade. I want this man as much now as I did the first time he took my clothes off.
We switch between houses and haven’t spent more than a few nights apart. If only this thing wasn’t hanging over our heads.
His unwillingness to bring me into his world. His family.
If he did, I’d be so happy I’m sure I’d combust.
I keep hoping. Optimism keeps me hanging in there. I want to believe he’ll share what’s going on.
Because something is.
Why would he hide me from his parents?
“Shit, fuck,” Jake groans, palming the headboard, sliding the other under my hips. “Fuck you feel so tight, so...yes, fuck, Caylee.”
His hot seed pours into me as I tuck my legs around him, and his mouth smashes down on mine.
This.
This is why I hang in there.
Not just the sex, but the feeling of him close against my heart, both of them beating as one, and the way he’s looking at me like I’m the woman he wants forever.
Perhaps could even love.
One day.
I see it growing in his eyes, in the way he touches me. The way his body shields me so protectively. It’s so sexy, and it makes my heart warm.
Rolling onto our sides, his cum leaking out onto the sheets, we both grin at one another. I don’t care. I like his post-sex smile, the sparkle in his eyes. The way he runs his finger over my brow and plays with my lips.
“If we had more time, I’d wait ten minutes then watch my cock sliding between these.”
My pussy twitches.
“You assume a lot, Mr. Murphy.”
“That’s Deputy US Marshal Murphy to you.” He moves over me, kissing me deeply.
“I feel like a conversation about handcuffs should follow that comment.”
Fire flares in his eyes. “Is that right? Or I could just cuff you to this bed and have my way with you all day. No conversation necessary.”
Yeah, well, about that.
My eyes flick away, and the mood dims.
“Not today. I have to be at my mom’s by eleven,” I say without extending another invite. Or waiting for one from him.
Jake flops back down silently and stares at the ceiling.
God, I hate this. We were just having the most delicious fun then...
Is this my fault?
Am I asking too much?
“Jake—”
“Wait, Caylee.” He sighs. “Thanksgiving is not something we celebrate. It’s not about you, I’m sorry this is upsetting you. I don’t mean to hurt you.”
I swallow.
Then again.
Who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving?
“Ever?”
Instead of replying, he runs a hand up over my thigh but doesn’t say anything more. He’s guarded, and my imagination starts going crazy.
Christ—does he have a secret family?
An ex-wife who goes to all the family things. Perhaps they are planning to get back together.
“Can we let our relationship mature before we rush into the family introductions?”
Too late, he’s met mine.
...before we rush into...
But his words slice through my chest, making me feel embarrassed for racing ahead when he clearly doesn’t see this as more serious when I do.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were feeling pressured.” I glance down at his chest. “I guess everyone has their own timing.”
He takes my chin in his fingers, lifting my eyes to his. I see regret, and my heart aches.
“Let’s see how we feel at Christmas.”
Christmas.
Yeah, okay.
Sure.
But I don’t feel sure. I feel like I’m being lied to, that he’s just delaying something, and that nothing will change.
It’s clear I’m on a path to heartache, and in six months we’ll be in the same place, while my biological clock ticks even louder.
I’m looking for a baby daddy.
I want to be with a man I enjoy being with. Someone I share passion and similar interests with, someone I can laugh with. Someone who also wants to create a family. That’s a beautiful thing.
Jake doesn’t seem to want these things. He hasn’t asked me anything or shared his dreams.
Nothing.
Does he understand that at twenty-nine my options of being a mother are flashing before my eyes? Men don’t have the same time limitations. Mother Nature is cruel.
Jake climbs out of bed and heads into the bathroom without saying anything more.
I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. Everyone else has figured this out except me.
I look like a fool.
A tear sneaks down the side of my face as I accept what must happen here.
It’s over.