Relentless

by Sybil Bartel

  Fuck.

  Fuck.

  “Fallon.” Motherfucking goddamn it. “Jesus.” Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her to my chest and rolled. “Baby. Oh my God.” FUCK. “Did I hurt you?”

  A sob ripped from her chest, and her entire body shook in my arms.

  My dick still inside her, I crushed her to me as my own damn eyes filled at the thought of her hurting. “Please, baby. Talk to me.” I kissed her hair, her cheeks. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  She cried harder.

  Jesus Christ, I fucked up. “Okay, love, I’m gonna pull out, nice and slow.” I stroked her back. “Hold on to me, beautiful.” I took one of her hands and put it around my neck.

  Crying in fucking earnest, she brought her other arm up around me.

  “Good girl.” I didn’t want to pull out, but Jesus, her tears were crushing me. “Hold on, baby.” Slow, careful, I eased out of her.

  Fuck my life, she cried harder.

  “Sh, sh, sh.” My release flooded between her legs, and my twisted head wanted to soak in the sight of that shit, but I pulled her close against my chest again. “Come on, baby, just hang on to me. I got you.” Not knowing what else to do, I fucking held her tight.

  Her cries filled the bedroom, but just like everything else about her, even her crying was reserved. Quiet, but deep, her sobs shook her chest each time one broke free, but thank fuck, after a few minutes, they started to ease up.

  Brushing her hair from her face, I kissed her forehead. “That’s it, sweetheart, let it out.”

  “I’m…” Her voice broke and more tears fell. “I’m so sorry.”

  Hating myself for thinking she’d never looked more beautiful, I swept my thumb across her cheek. “You have nothing to apologize for.” But I fucking did. “I’m sorry I hurt you.” I barely fucking fit in her. I shouldn’t have driven into her so hard, not after I’d already fucked her twice in a row.

  She shook her head, but she didn’t look up. “You didn’t hurt me.”

  My chest constricted and I stilled. Fuck. “You regret it.”

  “No,” she protested adamantly as she swept at her face.

  “Look at me,” I demanded.

  She didn’t.

  “Fallon.”

  “I… can’t.” Giving me a broken whisper, she shook her head again.

  Taking everything I had not to tense the hell up, I forced my voice to a casual tone I wasn’t fucking feeling. “I need you to look at me, darlin’.”

  “Please, Thomas,” she quietly pleaded.

  No. No fucking way. If she was going to tell me to fuck the hell off, she was going to look at me when she did it.

  I tipped her chin. “Eyes on me, right now.”

  Her lashes wet from her tears, she blinked, and her grass-green eyes, red from crying, focused on me.

  Not sure I had anything else left to lose, I let my fucking heart out. “I don’t regret this. Not one damn second. I’ve never had a better sexual experience. Physically or emotionally.” I wouldn’t lie to her.

  “I’m crying,” she barely whispered.

  My voice, my expression even, I didn’t give any more. “I know.” But I didn’t know the why of it, and it was fucking killing me.

  “How can this be the best you’ve ever had?” She bit at her bottom lip, and her next words were so fucking vulnerable, they were barely audible. “I’ve ruined it.”

  Jesus, this woman. “You didn’t ruin anything.” Unless she was about to get the fuck up and walk out. “You want to tell me about the tears?”

  “No.”

  Only having one play left, I studied her a moment.

  Fuck it.

  I took it. “Would you be upset if I told you that you’ve never looked more beautiful than you do right now, with tears running down your face?”

  “Thomas—”

  I stopped her. “Not gonna lie, though. I’m kinda freaking the fuck out. I’ve never had a woman cry on me before. I’m not sure if you’re about to walk the hell out or blame me for coming inside you, which, for the record, I take full responsibility for.” I knew what the hell I was doing when I suggested it. It was beyond risky, more so for me. I didn’t have room to fuck with my immune system if she had anything.

  Her face softened, and her tears stopped. “I’m not walking out, and I don’t blame you.”

  Thank. Fuck. “But?”

  “I’m sorry, I just…” She took a deep breath, but then she didn’t continue.

  I waited.

  She turned her head into the pillows, her chest rose and fell once, and then she looked back at me. “I didn’t know it could feel that good.”

  I blinked.

  Then I selfishly fucking grinned. “Would a victory lap be inappropriate, darlin’? Because right about now, I’m thinking I deserve one.” I winked.

  “Oh my God.” She covered her face with her hands.

  “Teasing.” I took her hands in mine and kissed her gently. “But in all seriousness, did I hurt you?”

  Her lip between her teeth, she shook her head.

  I fingered a strand of her soft hair, then stroked her arm. “For real, you okay?”

  She nodded.

  “I thought you were about to walk out on me.” I half smiled. “I was about to do a midnight intervention.”

  She stared at me a moment. “It’s past midnight.”

  “Yes, it is.” Inhaling, I fought a yawn. “Any regrets?”

  “What’s your last name?”

  “Knight.”

  “I like you, Thomas Knight.”

  I smiled. Wide. “Feeling’s more than mutual.”

  “You’re not going to ask my last name?”

  Fuck. “Would you tell me if I did?” I hedged.

  “Not tonight.”

  Pulling her into me, I chuckled nervously as guilt kicked at my chest. “Then I’ll have to work on that in the morning. But right now, you and I need a little shut-eye.”

  Gently pushing my arm away, she made to get up. “Give me a minute, please. I need to freshen up.” Without taking the sheet with her, she stood.

  As I saw my release all over her inner thighs, my cock hardened, and I stared at her gorgeous long legs and perfect ass.

  Jesus.

  I could write a book about this single moment.

  Shaking myself out of it, I got up. “I’m grabbing a water. Can I get you something to drink, beautiful?”

  With a shy smile, she looked over her shoulder at me. “No, thank you.”

  My heart fucking skipped, and that was it. I had to touch her. “Wait.” I strode toward her.

  She turned to face me.

  I cupped her face and took her mouth.

  I meant to only kiss her once.

  But my plan went to shit the second her tongue touched mine and she melted into me.

  Growling into her response, I gripped her tighter and ran a hand over her sweet ass. Then I forced myself to ease back. Looking down at her, I ran my thumb over her bottom lip. “Thank you.”

  Heat hit her cheeks. “For?”

  I drew my fingers through the still wet remnants of my release on her thigh. “This.” I brought my mouth to hers. “And this.” I kissed her as I put my hand on her chest over her heart. “Thank you for trusting me.”

  Her hand covered mine, but she didn’t say anything.

  I touched my lips to her forehead. “Go. I’ll get us something to drink.”

  Without a word, she let go of my hand and turned.

  A smile on my face, I watched her go. Thinking I was living my best life, I walked to the living room and grabbed my phone off the dock. Shutting down the music app, I went to the kitchen area and opened the stocked fridge as my cell buzzed with a new text.

  Tyler: I’m telling Luna you need a raise. That Amherst chick is a fucking handful. She hit on you relentlessly too?

  Fuck.

  Deleting the text, I fired off a response.

  Me: Talk in the a.m. Busy.


  My cell instantly rang.

  Goddamn it. Glancing over my shoulder, I quickly answered. “Not now, Tyler.”

  “She hot?”

  Jesus Christ. “None of your business.”

  He chuckled. “You dog, that means yes.”

  I didn’t say shit. I was too busy staring at the closed bathroom door. “See you at work tomorrow.”

  “You mean today? You gonna do the walk of shame in a few hours or should I tell the boss you’ll be late?”

  “Fuck off.” I was never late.

  Tyler outright laughed. “Word of advice, kid?” He didn’t wait for a response. “Don’t answer your cell when you’re with a woman. Later, player. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He hung up.

  The guilt I’d been shoving aside came back, and I wondered how the hell I was gonna talk my way out of this when she found out who I was.

  The bathroom door opened.

  I grabbed an orange juice and a water and walked back into the bedroom.

  The evidence of our sex no longer on her thighs, she stood beside the bed, waiting for me.

  I handed her the juice.

  Taking the bottle, her face softened from apprehension to something I couldn’t decipher. “You remembered.”

  “Of course.” I was an asshole, and this woman deserved more, but I selfishly pulled the covers back because I wasn’t going to say shit now. “Crawl in, beautiful.”

  I was going to hold her in my arms while I could.

  HE BROUGHT ME ORANGE JUICE. “You remembered.”

  “Of course.” He pulled the covers back.

  I almost cried.

  Leo had never brought me juice. I doubted he even knew I liked it.

  Taking a sip of the icy cold sweetness, I recapped it and set it on the nightstand.

  Ever the gentleman, waiting for me, Thomas held the covers. “Crawl in, beautiful.”

  “Thank you for the juice.” The heat of his release still inside me, I glanced over my shoulder at him.

  His eyes were intent on me, but something had shifted in his expression since I’d gone in the bathroom. More serious, less flirtatious, he wasn’t looking at me with his heart on his sleeve anymore. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was looking at me with regret. But then why would he be staying, saying we needed sleep?

  Nodding once, he didn’t say anything.

  I hesitated. “Thomas, if you don’t want to—”

  “Don’t even think it, sweetheart.” Leaning down, he kissed my shoulder. Then without lifting his head, he brought his eyes to mine. “I want to sleep with you for a few hours before I have to be at work.” He gently stroked the small of my back before his huge hand covered my hip. “I know you’re probably sore. I’m not asking for more. Just you in my arms. That okay?”

  I didn’t think he could be any more perfect, and that scared me more than the seriousness that had come over him. “What time do you have to be at work?”

  “Seven.”

  I glanced at the clock on the nightstand and felt guilty. “I’m sorry.” He was only going to get a few hours of sleep.

  An honest smile spread across his face. “I’m not.” He touched his lips to mine, then whispered, “Crawl in, beautiful.”

  I did as he said.

  He pulled the covers over me, then rounded the foot of the bed and got in on the other side after turning off the light. Bringing me against his chest, he snaked his arm under my head, and my back settled against him. His masculine scent, now more musk than crisp linen, surrounded me, and it was involuntary—I sighed in contentment.

  “You good?” his deep voice rumbled.

  Too good. “Yes. You?” I couldn’t think of a scent I liked better than him.

  He wrapped his muscular arm around my waist. “Never better.”

  I smiled and put my hand over the one he had around my waist, but then all of a sudden thoughts of the morning and him leaving flooded my consciousness, and I felt like I had too much to say.

  What if I never saw him again? My heart constricted at the very thought. I knew nothing about him except that he’d made me feel so cherished, so taken care of, that I couldn’t even explain away the feelings to myself.

  I didn’t know how a stranger had managed to peel back my façade and find the layers that needed attention, let alone give them the right kind of attention. I’d never met a man more attentive, and I’d met so many men in my career.

  Thomas was special, incredibly special, and I couldn’t fathom how he was single unless it was by choice.

  Maybe this was what he did. Meet women, wine and dine them, give them mind-bending orgasms, then leave before sunrise.

  The very thought made my entire body tense.

  “Hey, what just happened?” Rough and deep, his voice broke the silence of the hotel suite.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I told you that you have nothing to apologize for.”

  I nodded.

  “Talk to me. Why’d you tense up a second ago?”

  Allowing myself to touch him, knowing I would miss him even more tomorrow for it, I rubbed my hand along the thick, corded muscles of his forearm. “It’s nothing. You need to get some sleep.”

  “You’re more important than a little sleep deprivation.”

  I almost let out an unladylike sound of derision. “Do you always know the perfect thing to say?”

  Shifting, he rolled me to my back, and the moonlight coming in through the open drapes caught the hard angles of his gorgeous face as he looked down at me. “That wasn’t a line, Fallon. I meant it.”

  I immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry.”

  He frowned. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

  There it was again. The dominant tone to his voice when he wasn’t teasing or merely conversing, but when he meant business. I’d heard it a few times already, and normally if a man spoke to me like that, I shut down, but when Thomas had used it to tell me to put my arms over my head, my body had an altogether different reaction. My skin tingled, my core pulsed, and I’d wanted to beg him to take control.

  He wasn’t inside me now, but his tone and expression made me wish he was despite how sore I felt.

  Sinking his fingers into my hair, he cupped my face. “Still waiting.”

  Not sure how honest I should be, I reasoned that he was still here after I’d broken down in embarrassing tears, so I gave him the truth. “I don’t want this night to end.”

  “Then let’s not let it.”

  “The sun always rises.”

  His fingers ran through my hair. “Doesn’t mean we have to walk away from this.”

  I had to ask. “Do you want to? Walk away?”

  He didn’t even hesitate a second. “Hell, no.”

  I reached for his hand and wrapped my fingers around his thick wrist, because I needed to be holding on to him when I asked the question I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer to. “Are you seeing other women?”

  “No.”

  A breath of relief filled my lungs but quickly left on an inhale. “I’m much older than you.”

  “I wouldn’t call a decade much older, and I already told you how I felt about that.”

  “Thirteen years. With an eighteen-year-old daughter,” I added.

  He smiled. “There you go again.”

  I raised an eyebrow.

  “Trying to scare me off.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “Not gonna happen. I told you, I’m not running scared.”

  “My breakdown after sex should’ve scared you.”

  His expression instantly sobered. “Did it scare you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” His finger traced my collarbone.

  I didn’t know how to answer that, not with a simple sentence or two. I couldn’t roll up seventeen years of a bad marriage and hand him the scroll like it was his burden to overcome. It was mine, and I would never put that on another person, not like my mother put all her life’s disappointments on me.

&nbs
p; So I gave him a taste of the truth. “I don’t do casual.”

  He tipped the corner of his mouth up in the sexy half smile I was now addicted to as his thumb softly glanced back and forth across my cheek. “I get that.”

  I gave him the rest of that statement. “I’ve only ever been with one other man.”

  His hand stilled, and his smile dropped.

  He blinked.

  For two whole heartbeats, he stared at me.

  Then his voice, deep and quiet but sure and commanding, blanketed my nerves. “I’m not gonna lie and tell you that doesn’t turn me the fuck on or make me feel possessive as hell, because it does.” Shifting more to his stomach, putting his weight on his elbows, he brought his other hand to my face like he’d done a dozen times tonight and like I wanted him to do a million more.

  Because just like the times before when he’d taken my face in his hands, he gave me a look so intense, so full of emotion, I didn’t have words to describe it. I didn’t even have words to describe how it made me feel.

  Except desperate for more.

  Because Thomas Knight was like heroin.

  One hit, and I was addicted.

  And not just to the sex or the incredible size of him. All of it. His manners, his different smiles, his terms of endearment, his control, his attention, his laughter, even his age. His body, his muscular frame, his height—he was simply incredible.

  And if I hadn’t already fallen for him, his next words threatened to take me over the edge.

  “I wasn’t expecting tonight, and if I’m being completely honest, it blindsided me. But this, what’s going on between us, I’m feeling it deep, beautiful. Deeper than I’ve ever experienced, and I’m not sure how to take that, except to hold on to it with both hands.” His grasp on me tightened.

  Tears welled, and I thought about giving up everything and never leaving this hotel suite. “Is it wrong if I say that maybe we should just stay here forever?”

  “Yes.” He winked. “Because you’re going out to dinner with me tonight.”

  I smiled.

  A grin spread across his face. “That’s my girl.” Kissing me hard and fast, he let go just as quickly and pulled my back against his chest. “Now get some sleep, woman. You’re gonna need it tonight, because I plan on keeping you up again.”