Page 124

A grayish white shadow flies by me, hissing and making a beeline for Mom's room. That would be Mr. Fluffball. A male,wearing only briefs, briefs that do nothing to hide what he entertained me with all night long, follows. That would be Gabe. His hair is a mess, and somehow, he looks more handsome than ever. Fuck me. Fuck my life.

Quit thinking about fucking, Audra.

Right, good advice.

Mom runs after Mr. Fluffball without sparing me a glimpse, and I'm left alone with Gabe. Who stares at me, wide awake now.

"Where did you go?"

"I'm… uh… back to bed?" Somehow my statement comes out more a question.

"The bed is that way." He points at his room.

I shake my head, trying to bring up some coherence. God knows I need it now more than ever.

"Gabe…" I manage.

"Audra?"

He walks over to me. His hand reaches up, and his palm cups my face. Shivers run down my spine, and a tingling spreads through my pussy. Damn my body. The touch is light. Tender.

"I know you're hurting. I know you're confused. But trust me, Audra… this is right."

My breath catches. Right? Nothing about this feels right. And yet, as his thumb brushes lightly along my cheek, my body betrays me all over again.

"I understand what you're feeling," he continues, his voice is low and soothing, like warm oil running down my back. "The confusion. The guilt." His gaze locks on mine, unrelenting, and I swallow. "But what's between us?" A slight shake of his head. "That doesn't lie."

My chest tightens.

"This—" he gestures faintly between us, like even he can't quite define it, "—this isn't something that just… happens."

I swallow again, feeling a lump move down my throat. He's right. I felt it too. Still do. That's the problem.

"I won't touch you again until you're ready," he adds, and there's something firm in that. A promise. "Not unless you want me to."

He waits a moment to let his words sink in. His hand drops from my face, like he's forcing himself to create distance. But his eyes don't let go.

"Last night wasn't just sex for me." The tendons on his neck strain, like the words don't come easily. Like he's not used to saying things like this. He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling roughly.

"Fuck, Audra…" A humorless huff. "Yeah, it was the best sex of my life."

Heat rushes to my face.

"But it was more than that," he continues, more serious now. "A hell of a lot more."

Something shifts in his expression. Not softer. Just… real. That lump seems to be stuck right underneath my collarbones now. My eyes fill with tears, again.

"I'm not asking you for anything right now. Not decisions. Not promises." He takes a step back. Giving me space. "But I need you to understand something." His gaze pins me in place. "I'm not going anywhere."

My pulse stutters.

"I'll protect you," he promises. "I'll help you get through this." His eyes hold mine. "And whatever this is between us? It's not over."

He holds out his hand. "Now, come to bed."

It's not a question. It's a command. As much as I look, there is not a hint of insecurity in his gaze. A gaze that tells me where I'm going, even if he has to carry me. The only question is, will I make him?

I should. For various reasons. One, my body trembles at the thought of being in those strong arms again. Two, just to show that I'm not an obedient dog. Three, because my pussy is convinced that it will have a field day being carried over his shoulder. Neanderthal style. Because, let's be honest, who doesn't want to experience that at least once in their lives? Four, and this is the most important one, I don't trust myself to walk away again if I take that hand.