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I pull him to me as our tongues collide. His grip around me tightens, and he drags us out of the lake until my back is against the dock. Our clothes are suddenly gone, and he’s sliding into me. We’ve done fast and slow. Rough and sweet. This time, it’s different. There’s more need and the urge to own, mark, devour. My heart hammers in my chest with each thrust. Each word of praise. His hand cups my ass for a deeper angle, and he plunges in and out, taking what’s his. With hooded lids, I stare up at him. Lust, confusion, and regret greet me.
I wonder if the same lust, desire, and weakness swirls inside him. An affection I can barely explain. The four-letter word I’ve never felt before. He owns me. My heart. It pounds with an emotion that feels so good it hurts. I may not know where we stand after this, but I do know one thing: I’m in love with him.
“Fuck, Minds,” he moans my name, and it settles inside my chest. I can’t help what happens next. I let those three words take flight and slip from my lips.
“I love you.” My orgasm thrashes through me, and his body becomes rigid as he rides his own release.
Fuck, what did I do? I clench my eyes shut.
“Dammit,” he hisses and works himself off me.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He stands, running his hand over his face.
“Doesn’t seem like nothing. Thought we were having a pretty nice time, then I tell you I love you, and—”
“Stop. Just don’t.”
I sit up and watch him gather his jeans, sliding them over his ass. “Stop? Stop what? Telling you how I feel?”
He turns, wearing a face I haven’t seen in weeks. Blank. No emotion. “You know damn well that’s not how this story ends.”
“And why is that?” I stand and grab my shirt, trying not to expose the hurt he’s inflicted.
“That’s not the life I live. A future, love? That shit isn’t an option for me.”
I take a step forward, but his icy stare stops me. “Why not?”
“Because it’s who I am. What I’ve accepted. I live for no one. I take risks, knowing they could be my last. That ain’t a life to burden someone with.”
“Tate, you’re not burdening—”
“Don’t be naïve, babe. This,” he points between us, “will only go as far as this job. Once it’s over, I’ll move on. I never stay in one place long. You just gonna sit at home and wait for me? Hope I show up when I say I do?”
What the fuck? I’m mad that tears start to fall. “Wow. I guess I pinned us all wrong.” I wipe my cheeks. “Thought maybe I’d finally found someone worth the sacrifice—someone who saw worth in me—”
“Mindy, it’s not like that.”
I scoff as hurt and betrayal burn my throat. “It’s exactly what it is.” I throw my hands up, sucking in a staggered breath. “Oh my god, how did I not see what a coward you are?”
“It’s not being a coward. It’s me protecting you—”
“Me? You’re doing this forme? Wow. How selfish ofme.”
“Mindy—”
“Don’t ‘Mindy’ me. What about all that bullshit, saying I’m yours? What was that? Pretty words to make sure I kept sleeping with you?”
“I shouldn’t have said it. I didn’t have the right to.”
I choke on a sob. “You didn’t have the right to,” I repeat.
He grabs the back of his neck. “What do you want from me? This is me giving you an out.”
“Who said I wanted an out!” I scream. “This is ridiculous. I’m sorry I said what I said. It was clearly out of duress. Shitty marshmallow roasting and shittier sex will do that,” I spit out.
He steps forward. “You’re not seeing the bigger picture here.”
