After We Fall(49)

 

“You’re sure?”

 

I nodded. “Please. I want to feel you there again.”

 

“Feel me where?” He slid into me, slow and controlled.

 

I smiled wickedly and moved my hands to his ass to pull him closer. “So deep it hurts,” I whispered in his ear. “I want you to tear me apart. Leave me bruised. Mark tonight on my body.”

 

“You shouldn’t say that to me.”

 

I gasped as he plunged in deep, the sharp twinge making me jump. “God, I love the way you move. Like you want me so badly you can’t hold back.”

 

“I can’t. No matter how hard I tried—and fucking hell, I tried.” He moved a little faster, rolling his hips over mine. “But you’re under my skin.”

 

Then I couldn’t talk anymore because his mouth was on mine, and I let my desire take over—I raked my nails across his back, took his lower lip between my teeth, pulled his hair, writhed and panted and gasped. Pleasure zinged along every nerve ending in my body like a live current. When I came again, I cried out his name as my body pulsed around his driving cock, my fingers digging into his ass. I felt wild, untamed, untethered—free to say and do and feel everything.

 

As the rippling waves tapered off, Jack pulled out and flipped me over. “Get on your knees.”

 

Heart still pounding against my ribs, I got on my hands and knees, wincing when he grabbed my hair. He yanked my head back as he pushed inside me—yes. He gripped one hip, holding me steady as he fucked me so hard, I could hear his hips smacking my ass—yes. He came fast, his body going stiff, a growl escaping his throat, his cock throbbing again and again inside me—yes.

 

He let go of me and fell forward, catching himself on his hands outside of mine. His forehead rested on the back of my head, his breath was warm and soft on my neck, and the rain still drummed against the cottage roof. Neither of us spoke.

 

A moment later he wrapped one arm around my stomach, holding me close to him.

 

My throat squeezed shut. I wanted to say things. I wanted to tell him that he was the best I’d ever had. I wanted to ask if he was OK. I wanted to know if I’d eased anything inside him. I wanted him to know how badly I too wished things were different. I wanted him to know I’d never regret this, I’d never forget him, I’d never stop wondering what if.

 

I opened my mouth, but he spoke first.

 

“Don’t go home tomorrow, Margot,” he said, tightening his arm around me. “Please. Don’t go.”

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty-One

 

 

 

 

 

Jack

 

 

 

Her body went still beneath mine. She’s holding her breath.

 

She swallowed. “You want me to stay? Are you sure?”

 

“Yes.” I pulled out of her, and turned her gently onto her back. The way she looked up at me made my chest tighten. “If you want to.”

 

“Jack.” Her hands flew to my face, her thumbs brushing my cheekbones. “Of course I want to.”

 

I smiled, feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted off my chest. “Good.”

 

“But I know things are complicated.”

 

“They are.” I wouldn’t lie to her. “And I can’t make any promises.”

 

“I don’t need promises,” she said quickly. “I don’t have conditions, don’t need to put a label on this, don’t have to know how it ends. I just like being with you.”

 

I kissed one of her palms. “Thank you.”

 

She smiled, letting her hands trail over my shoulders. “You know, it’s funny. This is the first time in my life I’m giving myself permission to just do what I want to do without worrying about how it fits in to the grand scheme of my life. Without caring if it’s what Thurber women do.”

 

That made me chuckle. “I’m gonna guess Muffy would not approve.”

 

She giggled and shook her head. “Probably not. But guess what? I don’t care.” Her face lit up the dark. “I don’t care. I just want to stay here for a while and enjoy myself.”

 

“Me too.” Although for me, here wasn’t a physical place. It was a state of mind that allowed me to enjoy some time with Margot without feeling like I owed anyone an apology. Without feeling like it was a complete betrayal. Without the guilt. It was a place I’d reached as I’d run through the rain toward home, realizing that I could either spend another sleepless night alone and tortured by thoughts of her, or I could allow myself a brief reprieve from the loneliness.