Wound Up(91)

                So he did it again.

                What had been wanton abandon became a driving, instinctive passion as she held his hand in place and rode him harder. “Please, Justin.”

                Exposing the little bud, he thrummed it quickly.

                That was all it took.

                Justin bent his knees and Grace fell forward, her hands connecting with his chest. Gripping her hips, he pumped into her with brutal efficiency. The laws of love said he couldn’t drive her higher without following, so when she came apart with a shout and her internal muscles clamped down, they pulled his orgasm out without mercy.

                The burn at the base of his spine spread fast and hard. His testicles drew up impossibly tight. He wanted to shout, but pleasure rendered him mute as he bowed off the bed, teeth gritted.

                Everything he’d thought he’d known about sex and orgasms had just gone out the window. This, this was what it was to make love. Maybe a little rough, yes, but one thing held absolutely true. Without a doubt, he’d never experienced anything like this before.

                Grace tumbled forward onto his chest, her breathing fast and labored. “Justin,” she said, sleepy awe in her voice. “You held out on me Saturday night.”

                He held her to him, pulling the covers over them as their bodies cooled. She was already softly whuffling into his shoulder, and he listened as sleep reclaimed her.

                Tucking the covers around her, he wound his arms around her and laid his lips to her temple. There was so much to say to her, so much he wanted her to know. Where to begin? He played out different scenarios over and over, discouraged when none of them seemed quite right.

                Sleep claimed him before he figured it out.





                                      16

                THE NEXT DAY was a series of stops and starts. Grace spent a huge portion of it trying not to stare at Justin—and failing. She was mortified she’d come undone in front of him, but she also realized it had been a long time coming. She’d been undermined at every opportunity, underloved every chance at every turn. No one came away from something like that unscarred. That Justin had let her be today, that he didn’t hound her with questions but had instead let her do her job, was critical.

                But with five o’clock fast approaching, she knew she had some decisions to make. She couldn’t afford a night in a hotel, and absolutely wouldn’t let him pay for her. Which left his place. Not the best idea.

                He caught her watching the clock when he spun his chair around and faced her. “I made a phone call earlier.”

                Her fingers went to ice and cold sweat popped along her nape. “What did you do?” She hated that the accusation was apparent in the question, but she was still fragile and unsure where she stood with him. What they’d shared last night had been off the charts as far as her experience went, but she didn’t know if it had been the same for him.

                He leaned back in his chair. “I called my apartment complex manager and made arrangements to get you a key. You can stay with me until we can get your living arrangements sorted out. Of course, you don’t have to stay there. It’s just an option.”

                She couldn’t decide whether to grouse at his high-handed approach or throw herself at him with gratitude. Settling for somewhere in the middle, she nodded and offered him a small smile. “Thanks.”

                The tiny sound was almost lost in the space of his office. Her heart expanded until she wondered if her ribs might crack.