Chapter 10
“Ugh.” Stretching my arms over my head, my back arches off the mattress, and my jaw pops with the world’s biggest yawn. My muscles are deliciously sore, and my pussy aches.
As last night wore on, I lost track of how many more orgasms Luc wrang from my used and abused core, and how many positions he folded my body into, like his own personal fuck toy.
All I know is, I loved every fucking minute of it.
I sink back into the fluffy pillow and pull the blankets up to my chin. I can’t stop a smile from spreading across my face.
I’ve never had sex like that before. Don’t get me wrong, I usually come out on top with my partners.
But this.
Last night.
It was primal. Instinctual.
Like our bodies knew exactly what the other needed without having to tell them.
Just thinking about the way Luc’s strong hips pistoned his perfect, uncut cock into me. Mmm …Chills. And pussy flutters.
“Do you need to go again? Because I wouldn’t say”—I tip my head to the side, finding a twist of empty sheets next to me—“no?”
Sitting up, I hug the sheets to my chest, covering my breasts. I bring a hand to the rat’s nest of hair cascading over my shoulders and scratch my scalp. Where is he?
“Luc?” My head swings around the room, but there’s no brooding bull in sight.
A flash of mint green catches my eye, and I drag my gaze back to the old wooden chair in the corner. My dress, along with my panties and bra, is draped over the back. A clear sign my time here is up.
Chest deflating, I get up and pull on my clothes. Combing my fingers through my hair, they snag on a knot, making me wince. Once most of the tangles are gone, I weave the waist-length strands into a braid and use a stray piece of twine from the top of Luc’s dresser to secure the ends.
The cloudless blue sky fills the bedroom window, the winter sun beating down on the freshly fallen snow. It’s already starting to melt. Another sign that our debauched fairy tale is over.
“Guess I better go find my not-so-charming prince.” With a sigh, I quickly make the bed before leaving the room.
After a pit-stop to the bathroom, I come into the main living area just as the front door swings open.
A gust of bone-chilling air pushes into the cozy, warm cottage before Luc can shut the door behind him.
Wiping his hooves on the threadbare doormat, he rubs his hands in front of his mouth, exhaling onto his thick fingers.
“You’re all set, Ness.” He inclines his head, horns tipping toward the front window of the cottage.
Sure enough, my car sits outside, the winter sun reflecting off the shiny silver hood between patches of melting snow.
Oh. My heart collapses a little. We did say just sex, so I can’t be mad that he’s kicking me out. “Your rut is over?” As much as I try, I can’t keep the pang of disappointment from straining my voice.
“Oui. All good. Thanks for your help.”
I guess that’s it. Why does everything suddenly feel so transactional? Whatever maelstrom of heat that was burning between us for the last twenty-four hours is doused by a bucket of ice water. “I’ll just get out of your hair then. Umm, thanks for letting me crash.”
An awkward shuffling of feet and we dance around each other, switching positions until my back is to the door and Luc is standing near the dining table.
“What about the decorations?” Brow creasing, he hooks a thumb over his shoulder to the poor excuse for a Christmas tree.
It’s a shame we didn’t get to enjoy it more. “Keep ’em. Now you don’t have an excuse not to decorate next year… and maybe you’ll think of me when you use them.”
It’s stupid.
And I shouldn’t have said it, but the corner of his mouth twitches into the closest thing I’ve seen to a smile since I got here. “Yeah,” he mumbles, so quietly, I almost miss it.
Silence stretches between us, and he scratches the back of his neck.
Shifting my weight from foot to foot, I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
In all my history of one-night stands and situationships, I’ve never had a morning after this painfully awkward.
“Well, I have a life in the city to get back to.” I slip my feet into my suede booties—which are dry, thank goodness—and grab my purse from the chair next to the door.
“And I have a quiet life here.” The dismissal in his tone is clear, but for some reason I linger with my hand on the doorknob.
“I guess I’ll see you around, big guy. And thanks for the orgasms.” Pulling on my armor of nonchalance, I throw a wink over my shoulder before opening the door and stepping out into the frigid winter wonderland.
My car is already running, so he must have taken my keys from my bag while I was asleep. Cranking the heat to full blast, I welcome the warm air as it blows across my icy skin.
Except the small space becomes stifling when Luc’s mapley masculine scent permeates every pore on my body. My throat threatens to close as I spare one more glance at his cottage.
Why is my heart a lead weight in my chest, threatening to sink me into a bottomless ocean?
It was just sex.
Really freaking good sex.
Best sex of my life sex.
But we agreed.
So why do I secretly want more of the sweet moments with Luc? He got me a freaking Christmas tree, for crying out loud! And cooked me breakfast.
His actions this morning were clear, though. He wants me to leave. If he felt otherwise, he would’ve asked me to stay.
Shifting the car into drive, I turn up the music and leave any thoughts of Luc behind.