My hips begin to rock, and he groans into my mouth. God, I’d missed that sound, and pleasure courses through my veins. I’m desperate to touch his skin, and I break the kiss and straighten, tugging on his shirt.
Gabe lifts himself up and pulls his shirt off, tossing it aside. As soon as his back meets the mattress, I reach for his broad shoulders and familiarize myself with the feel of his body. His shoulders are wider than they were when we were younger, and with fascination, I trail my fingertips over his chest, learning every angle and ridge of his muscles. Part of me wishes the lamp was on so I could see his body, but I’m not as confident with my own as I had been in high school. I’ve gained weight in my bust and hips.
Gabe’s stomach quivers beneath my touch, and I can’t resist scooting down and lowering my head to brush my lips against his abdomen. The sound of his breath hissing out between his teeth has me smiling. My tongue flicks out, and I savor the salty flavor of his skin.
“Harper, I should be the one seducing you…” he groans.
“Then you’d take away all my fun,” I tease.
“By all means, have your fun,” he urges.
A throaty laugh escapes me, and I lift my head and begin to play with the waistband of his briefs—my fingers dancing along his skin. I’m avidly listening to every sound he makes. His hips have tensed, and I run my hand over his front. His erection is hard and probably aching painfully with its need to be released.
I lean down and nip at his bellybutton, causing him to rock his hips briefly before I snag his briefs in my grip and begin tugging them down. He readily lifts his hips, and in the shadows, I can see his erection standing up and ready for action. After tossing the briefs aside, I lean over him and run my hands down the hard planes of his hips and down to his thighs.
“Harper…”
I smile and straddle his thighs, my hand reaching out to grasp his hardness. The velvety feel of him is familiar to me, and I stroke his length. I recall just how he likes to be touched, and I move my hand up and down while using my free one to cup his balls.
Gabe arches his hips, releasing a low groan. “Stop, Harper, or I won’t be able to give you what you really want.”
He has a point, and I sigh with disappointment.
“You’re wearing way too much,” he reminds.
My attention shifts, and I reach up and tug the tank over my head. I’m a little sensitive over how big my breasts have grown since I was sixteen, but the light isn’t on, and I want to play.
“Get over here,” he grits out.
I hesitate. “My body’s not the same as it used to be.”
“No, it’s way fucking better. Closer. Now,” he insists.
Does he really see me that way? The women I’ve seen him with have been slim and— I promptly shut down my thoughts and move up Gabe’s body so that his hardness is caught between my thighs. His hands quickly reach out and cup my full breasts. I patiently wait as he palms them and strokes the sensitive skin.
“Perfect,” he breathes.
“They’re huge,” I mutter.
“Like I said, they’re perfect. They make me want to bury my dick between them,” he says bluntly.
My breath hitches.
He fondles the large globes and then his thumbs make contact with my taut nipples, and I gasp.
“Lean down,” he urges.
I do as he asks, and his hands continue to cup my breasts as his warm mouth brushes one of the pebbled tips. The throbbing between my legs has intensified, and when Gabe’s tongue flicks out to taste the sensitive tip, I moan and rub myself against his stomach.
“Gorgeous, Harper. You’re fucking gorgeous” Gabe whispers before he takes the tight bud into his mouth and teases it with his tongue.
The sensation has me whimpering. I’m so close to going over the edge just from this alone, and I press my center harder against his stomach, searching for delicious pressure.
One of Gabe’s hands leaves my breast and snakes down between us, slipping beneath the waistband of my panties. I go completely still and wait for his touch. His fingers slide over my folds, causing me to instinctively grind my hips.
“So wet,” he says around my nipple, and he nips at it.
My back arches, and I thrust into his hand.
He shifts his thumb so it’s pressed against my clit. “Again,” he urges.
I roll my hips once more, and his thumb gives me what my body wants so badly as it presses against the tight bundle of nerves.
“More.” Gabe begins to suck harder on my nipple, and I moan and begin to rise and fall against his hand. Every move brings more pleasure, and I drop my head back and lose myself to the sensations. My hips move frantically, and then I tense as my body goes over. I cry out and press myself into his hand, and I feel Gabe cup me as he feels my core contract with my orgasm.
“Condom. Tell me you have one nearby,” Gabe says in a thick voice.
“Nightstand,” I reply, easing off him.
He turns onto his side and opens the drawer, and I hear him fumbling around. Then, I hear a wrapper tear. In the shadows, I see him slipping the condom on.
As soon as he’s ready, I straddle him and sink onto his length. His hardness fills me, and I can feel him in the deepest parts of me. I’ve missed this so much.
Gabe’s hands settle on my hips, and he urges me to move as he arches against me. I begin to rock on him as he steadily pumps into me. Soon, we both lose our grip on our control, and our hips move faster. His hands slip around my back, tugging me down to meet his lips. While our lower bodies move in unison, our tongues tangle as we lose ourselves in each other. When we go over the edge, it’s together, and I moan into his mouth as he tenses beneath me.
***
My alarm goes off, and I begin to move to turn it off when I realize I’m not alone. I’m also completely naked.
Last night comes back to me, and I tense when I recall the ordeal at the clinic. Closely behind that comes the knowledge that Gabe and I’d had sex. His naked body is pressed behind mine, spooning me. I can’t deny that it feels good.
Gabe groans, and his body leaves mine. The alarm abruptly turns off, and then the mattress shifts. He’s behind me once more, but he’s careful not to touch me. We’d agreed that last night would be a one-time deal, and now that it’s morning, he’s going to take his cues from me.
Knowing we should discuss it, I secure the sheets against my breasts and turn onto my back.
Gabe’s lying on his side, his head propped up with his hand. His tanned, bare chest is on display, and the sheets are bunched at his hips. Gray eyes connect with mine. “Morning.”
“Hi.” I bite my lip. “About last night…”
He reaches over and gently brushes aside a strand of hair near my cheek. “Last night was damned nice. I’m glad I could be what you needed.”
I guiltily search his gaze. “I swear I’m not trying to send you mixed signals, Gabe.”
“I know.” He smiles with a hint of sadness. “Nothing’s changed, I’m aware of that.”
I’m silent as I study him. He seems so certain that I’m what he wants. I’m beginning to see a side of him that I hadn’t noticed until recently. Why can’t I take a chance with him? Why does my mind keep holding me back when it’s not what my heart wants?
Gabe must sense my internal struggle, because he teasingly tweaks my nose. “Stop analyzing,” he admonishes.
I reach up and rub my nose. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“For old times’ sake,” he laughs.
“I hated it when you did that when we were teens, and I still hate it now,” I grumble even as the mood lightens. I sit up and yawn, knowing it’s time to face the day.
Gabe sits up, and his brows furrow. “You’re not going to work, are you?”
“I have to, it’s my job.”
“Harper, no one’s going to begrudge you a few days off—especially when it happened at your place of employment.”
I clutch
the sheet to my chest and look at him determinedly. “I’m not going to hide from it.”
“I think it’s too soon. All you did was toss and turn last night—”
“I remember,” I cut in. I’d slept terribly, and when I’d dreamed, they’d turned into nightmares. Every time I’d woken, Gabe’s arms had been around me, and he’d coaxed me into going back to sleep.
“Give yourself at least a day to deal with how you’re feeling.”
I shake my head. “Don’t you get it? I have to face it, or it’ll be worse the longer it’s put off. Besides, I don’t want to be home all day by myself. I’d have nothing to do.”
Gabe falls silent, and he slowly nods. “Right.”
I know what he’s thinking. There’d be no one here, and I’d be vulnerable all alone at the house. I watch as his eyes shift, and now he looks quite accepting of my decision.
“Maybe I should follow you there, make certain you get there okay.”
As much as his concern warms me, I know that I can’t give into it. His protectiveness would grow on me, and then once this is all over, I’d miss him being around. His presence lately has had me becoming attached to him in ways that I hadn’t been before, and it’s not increasing my determination to move on.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll be fine. Nothing’s going to happen in the middle of the morning commute. Besides, everyone typically beats me into work anyway. It’s not like I’ll be entering an empty building,” I tell him.
He nods. “Okay.”
When he eases back the sheet to stand, I look down at the sheets bunched around my hips. If I don’t look at him, I won’t openly stare at his body.
I can hear the rustle of clothing. “If you need anything, and I’m unavailable, call someone. Please. I don’t want you feeling all alone in this, Harper.”
I look up and find that he’s slipped on his jeans, but his shirt is still clutched in his hand. “I know I’m not alone, and I’ll call if anything comes up,” I promise.
He nods, and his eyes linger on me for a moment. Then, he walks to the door and leaves, firmly closing it behind him to give me privacy.
I hear the murmur of voices.
Someone must’ve been right outside the door.
There’s a brief knock, and then Quinn opens the door without invitation and closes it behind her. When her brown eyes spy me sitting in bed—my shoulders bare, her eyes narrow. “As soon as I saw him, I knew you guys had sex,” she says almost gleefully before her face crumples. “I’m so glad you’re okay!” She sits down and tugs me into a tight hug.
I almost lose the sheet, and I quickly clutch it to me while hugging her with my free arm. “Me too.”
She pulls back, confusion shining in her gaze. “I don’t understand why this is happening to you.”
“Me neither,” I say softly.
“Colt told me everything, but it just doesn’t seem real. You’re one of the nicest people I know.”
“Well, someone obviously thinks otherwise.”
Quinn scowls. “Why didn’t you let them call me?”
“There was nothing you could do, Quinn. I wanted you to enjoy yourself before having to come home to this mess.”
She gives me a chiding look. “Being here for you is more important than getting laid.”
I reach over and squeeze her arm. “I’m fine. Really.”
She’s silent a moment as she studies me. “It must be true.”
“What must be?”
“Near-death experiences can make a person horny.”
Heat rises to my cheeks.
“Hey, you got laid, finally. That’s great—the circumstances just suck.”
“I definitely agree with that.”
“So what does this mean for you and Gabe?” she asks with interest.
“Nothing,” I say firmly. “It was just a moment of madness.”
“Then you’re not getting back together?”
“No.”
“But you’re not moving out, right? I mean, not after what happened.”
“I’m not moving out until they catch this guy,” I confirm.
She exhales with relief. “Good.” Her eyes probe mine. “How are you doing?”
“My emotions are all over the place,” I say truthfully. “Gabe being here helped but…” I grimace. “It’s a lot to deal with.”
“I’m here whenever you need me, okay? Whether that means listening or trying to take your mind off the bad stuff.”
“Thanks, Quinn.” I glance at the clock. “I need to hop in the shower.”
She nods. “Want me to take the day off? We can just chill or do whatever you want.”
I brace myself for the same reaction I’d received from Gabe. “I’m going to work.”
Her mouth falls open. “You’re kidding.”
“It’s my job, Quinn.”
“But you were just attacked yesterday while you were there. The least they can do is give you a day or two off,” she says with a glower.
“I was offered a week, and I declined.”
She blinks. “Why?”
“Because I’m still alive and have a life to live. What would hiding here accomplish?”
“You’d be safe,” she says pointedly.
“All alone?”
“You wouldn’t be, you’d have…”
“No one,” I finish. “Everyone works.”
She frowns as she thinks it over, realizing that I’m right.
I shake my head. “The safest place for me is to be surrounded by people.”
“Are you certain you’re ready to go back there?” she asks.
“No, but I’m going to.”
Sixteen
Harper
My scrubs aren’t dirty, so I don’t bother changing into my regular clothes as I remove my bag from the locker. I reach for my purse, slipping it on.
It had been a long day, but I’m glad that I’d insisted on coming in. I’d had a few flashbacks and some moments when I’d frozen where I stood—a sense of anxiety clutching at my chest. Then, the sensation would pass, and I would force myself to continue with the day.
Everyone’s been great and wonderfully supportive. Lynn had pulled me aside earlier to inform me that Hulk’s owners had agreed to meet me tomorrow. It’ll take place in the lobby here at the clinic—after hours. Lynn plans to be here, and she’d assured me that Hulk’s owners hold no ill will towards me. They’re heartbroken, but so very proud that he’d fought to save my life.
As I open my purse to pull out my car keys, my eyes snag on my healing arm. The wound has closed now, and it’s healed enough that it no longer needs to be covered when I’m at work. The jagged scar tissue reminds me that he’s still out there, waiting to finish what he’d started.
The locker room door swings open loudly, and I gasp and spin around, my keys dropping to the floor with a clatter as I shield my face defensively.
Brandie stares at me from the doorway, and then she lets the door carefully swing shut behind her. “Are you okay? I am so sorry I startled you.” She cautiously moves towards me, her eyes concerned.
My heart is still pounding in my chest, and I slowly lower my arms as she hovers guiltily. “I was…lost in thought. Sorry,” I say with embarrassment.
“It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have barged in here like I did.”
“It’s a public locker room, no need to feel bad,” I murmur.
My keys are still on the floor, and they’ve fallen beneath the bench that spans the small room. The mace draws my attention as I bend down to pick them up. Moments ago, my first reaction had been to drop the only weapon I had so that I could shield my face. The incident yesterday has me thoroughly rattled, and I’m thinking it might be wise if I work further with Beck.
“Harper?”
I straighten and focus on Brandie. “I’m fine,” I repeat.
She slowly nods. “Okay. I came in here to tell you that a gorgeous guy in uniform is waiting for you out in the lobby,” she
informs, a hint of envy in her tone.
My eyebrows draw together as I adjust my purse over my shoulder. I wasn’t expecting anyone. Maybe it’s one of the officers from yesterday with additional information. “Thanks, Brandie.”
“Sure. See you tomorrow,” she says lightly.
I exit the locker room and walk down the hall towards the lobby. It’s the end of the day, and our last patient, a short-haired kitten, is in an exam room receiving vaccinations. Brandie and I had already cleaned most of the other exam rooms, and the other vet assistant, Karina, will take care of the rest.
My shift has officially ended, and I’m looking forward to going home. I enter the lobby, and Darlene looks up from her computer and smiles. “See you tomorrow,” she tells me.
“You too.”
The man in uniform waiting in the lobby turns out to be Colt. He usually changes into regular clothing before leaving his job for the day, so I know he’s sending a message to the person who’s after me. He has ties to the law, and that’s going to make it difficult for the guy to try anything further.
I walk over to him. “What are you doing here?”
“Making certain you make it home safely.”
Has he been talking with Gabe? “This isn’t going to become a daily thing, is it?” I can’t help but ask.
“I’m not taking my chances.” His eyes skim over me. “Ready?”
“Uh, sure.” I glance at Darlene and find that she’s openly staring at Colt, the computer no longer a source of distraction. I clear my throat and turn towards the glass doors, Colt right on my heels.
My car is parked at the very end of the parking lot, and Colt’s oversized truck is parked a few spaces down.
“Does it bother you that I came?”
I glance at him as we walk. “No. It was just unexpected.”
“Anywhere you need to stop on the way home?” he asks.
As we pause by my car, I shake my head.
Colt nods. “I’ll meet you there.”
After unlocking the car, I climb in and close the door as I watch Colt walk to his truck. I think there’s more that he wants to discuss with me. Maybe he’s spoken with Bryce?
The entire drive home, I am conscious of Colt’s truck behind me. Everything’s changed so fast. I wonder if my life will ever truly go back to the way it’d been before, or will whoever’s after me leave a smudge on my life that won’t ever be wiped clean?
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