Hardwired(42)

“Get on top of me,” he ordered.

I shivered and my skin grew warm. The physical reaction I had to the demand was unmistakable. Slick with anticipation, I obeyed and climbed up. I slid onto him with painstaking restraint, wanting to appreciate this new state. Nothing between us, he stretched me inch by delicious inch until he rooted inside me.

As I sheathed him, he caught my face in his hands and kissed me hard. When he pulled back his breath was rough. He slid a finger down my cheek and over my collarbone, grazing my over-sensitive nipple and finally resting on my hip where he held me possessively. He looked up and held me in his gaze.

“You’re so beautiful.”

The intensity in his eyes leveled me. My chest tightened. I was in too deep with Blake, but I didn’t care, not when he was inside me, touching me, looking at me this way. I couldn’t escape how he made me feel.

I answered with a subtle swivel of my hips. With one arm he circled them, holding me in place as he changed his angle and thrust upwards, ramming hard giving me more of himself. I stilled at the jolt of pain that came when he hit the end of me. The slight discomfort quickly gave way to the pleasure when he massaged tiny circles over my clit.

A fine mist swept over my skin as he pumped into me—steady and determined motions that made me momentarily forget my advantage in our present position. I met his movements, rolled into them until Blake loosened his hold, gradually giving me control. His hands flexed anxiously at my hips.

“Trust me,” I whispered. Tightening around him, I scored my nails lightly down his chest and kissed him feverishly, sharing every breath that brought us to the brink, where we fell apart, together, never looking away from each other.





* * *

Between last night and this morning’s exertions, I was exhausted. I fell asleep on the couch after breakfast. When I woke hours later, he was sitting on the other couch, his shiny black laptop resting on his thighs. He was a different Blake from this morning, fully dressed and looking intensely at the screen, typing with expert speed.

“I thought you didn’t work at home,” I said, stretching out.

“Just doing a little research.” He didn’t look up.

“What kind of research?”

He closed the laptop and set it to the side, his expression softening when our eyes met. “I think I found him,” he said quietly.

“Who?”

He folded his hands in his lap.

Oh God. My stomach turned, threatening my breakfast. My thoughts were still foggy from sleep and now reeled as I processed what Blake had just told me.

“How?” I sat up straight and tried to shake the cobwebs.

“I pulled the transaction records from the restaurant. Specifically the bar. I narrowed it down pretty easily from there based on his age and alma mater.”

“I don’t even want to know how you did that,” I said. This was too much. He’d gone too far.

“Well, I wasn’t planning on telling you anyway. How I found the information is far less important than the actual information, don’t you think?”

“Why would you do this? It doesn’t even matter.”

“You don’t think that identifying the man who raped you matters?” He raised his eyebrows.

“At this point in my life, no. Why do I need a name for a face I’d rather forget?”

“You could still press charges against him. You’re well within the statute of limitations.”

“And what would I say? Hello, Officer, I was eighteen and drunk at a frat house when this asshole had his way with me. I bet they’ve never heard that one before.”

“What if he’s still doing this?”

What if I wasn’t the only one? My throat became thick and tight at the thought. As much as I blamed myself for getting into such a perilous situation, deep down I knew no one deserved to go through what I did. I would have done almost anything to erase the painful memory from my past.

“I have to go.” I stood up quickly, but the sudden movement made me dizzy, nearly throwing me off balance as I made my way down the hall to the bedroom.

“Erica, don’t go.”

I disappeared into the bedroom. A teal sundress lay on the bed, which Blake must have collected from my place while I was sleeping. On top of it lay the lacy white panties that had gone missing in Blake’s Vegas hotel room.

    Damn it. I dressed quickly and grabbed the rest of my things. He met me in the doorway but I pushed past him, avoiding his eyes so I wouldn’t lose my resolve. I rushed out and flew down the stairs. I paused at my door, listening for his footsteps, but I heard nothing. I entered my apartment and latched the chain, just in case he changed his mind and decided to use the keys I knew he had.