Chapter 11

“Stroke yourself, but we are coming together. Do your worst to get me there with you.”

Oh, this man. He could dirty-talk me into doing anything. I slowly stroke myself, careful as I know I’m already on edge.

He grips my ass, spreading me wide as he starts to enter. We both let out deep groans once he’s all the way in. He remains still, kissing my back before he begins to wreck me.

“Shit, love. I missed this. Craved it. My hand is nothing compared to you.”

He shows me exactly what I’ve been missing and reinforces his possession of me.

Jolee

I wake up slowly. Stretching from the awkward position I fell asleep in, then sink right back into the chair.

Sigh.

I have no idea how long I’ve slept, but I feel… rested—truly rested. It’s been forever since my body let go like this. No nightmares clawing at me. No memories twisting into shadows. No worries.

Just quiet. For a moment, it’s enough.

And yet… I can’t stop thinking about Clay’s lips on mine. That moment plays on a loop in my mind. Soft, fiery, and impossible. Then Grant’s arms, warm and steady, holding me.

Like I was exactly where I was supposed to be, but the memory of it all makes my stomach flutter.

My eyes go wide as reality hits, and I sit straight up in the chair.

Shit.

I’m at their house, not my apartment. How did I forget that?

But the kiss—God, the kiss. I can’t let it go.

Why did he kiss me? What was he thinking?

The second it happened, I couldn’t think. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t even breathe. Deep down, I know I liked it. I enjoyed it. And admitting that makes me feel like I’m betraying myself. Because… I shouldn’t have wanted it. I shouldn’t have let myself.

Fear always wins.

Fear of wanting what I can’t have. Fear of what it might mean if I give in, if I let myself want him, let myself feel him. And the worst fear of all, he would get hurt, just like Andy.

And yet the heat, the warmth, the need… It’s undeniable.

But he’s not mine. He’s taken.

I had been out in the cold, shoveling snow, my hands numb, my muscles screaming. I should have been freezing. Instead, his lips burned through the chill, igniting something I didn’t realize I was starving for. And somehow, I didn’t fall, didn’t twist my ankle, didn’t break anything. It’s like the universe—or maybe just him—was keeping me upright, keeping me safe.

Wrapped in a blanket now, sitting here, I can’t stop my thoughts. And Grant. I don’t know what to make of him. Sweet, commanding, steady… dangerous. So fucking dangerous.

I don’t think I could win an argument with him. Not because I’m weak, but because he can see right through my defenses. And that scares me.

I push myself up, glancing around. Neither of them is in sight. Quiet. Peaceful. Yet my mind won’t stop spinning.

My feet carry me into the kitchen, craving water, craving clarity. I can’t stay here. That much I know, but there’s nowhere else to go. No one I can ask for help.

Alone.

I push the thought aside and take a drink of water. It’s cool and just what I need.