Page 69 of Our Chaotic Love Affair

He unbuckled his belt, and my mouth went dry.

“Condom?” he asked, his voice strained.

“In my bag,” I said, nodding to my suitcase.

Yes, I brought condoms. I wasn’t planning on sex with Cash, but I also didn’t want to have the opportunity and have to deny myself because I wasn’t prepared.

He stripped naked. When he turned back to me, I took a moment to appreciate him. Cash Bancroft was magnificent, all lean muscle and purpose.

He rolled the condom on and stalked toward the bed like a predator in the wild spotting his next meal. I reached behind me to unhook my bra, letting it fall away. I really didn’t want that getting torn. It was Victoria’s Secret and not cheap.

His eyes darkened further as he took in the sight of me completely naked.

“I’ve been thinking about this since I first saw you,” he admitted, settling between my legs.

“Liar.” I laughed. “You hated me when you first saw me.”

He smiled, a genuine one that transformed his face. “I never hated you. I just didn’t know what to do with you.”

“And now?” I asked, wrapping my legs around his waist and pulling him closer.

“Now I know exactly what to do with you.”

Cash entered me in one slow thrust that had us both groaning. He filled me completely, stretching me in the most delicious way. For a moment, neither of us moved. Or breathed. I just absorbed the sensation of being impaled on Cash Bancroft’s gorgeous cock.

Then he started to move, and coherent thought became impossible. His strokes were deep and controlled. I dug my nails into his back, urging him faster. I hated that he was so good at this. He slid in and out knowing just where all the sweet spots were. I was racing toward my second climax with embarrassing speed.

“Cash,” I moaned.

Something in him broke. That infamous Cash control slipped. Suddenly he was pounding into me. His hips snapped forward with an urgency that matched my own. The headboard slammed against the wall with each thrust.

Every nerve ending was on fire. I wrapped my legs tighter around him, changing the angle so he hit exactly where I needed him.

“Fuck, Cleo,” he groaned. “You feel so good.”

That was it. My name on his lips had me falling apart again. My body clenched around him. He followed me into bliss moments later. His punishing rhythm faltered as he pressed deep inside me. His body shuddered with release.

We were breathing hard. Our skin was covered in sweat. He carefully pulled out and disposed of the condom in the bathroom before returning to bed.

I expected him to go to his room, but he slid behind me. His body spooned mine. I stared at the wall and tried to collect my thoughts, which had scattered in the throes of ecstasy.

Why did you do that?

The question echoed through my mind. I knew why. I’d known since the Hamptons. I set a boundary I couldn’t hold. My body had rebelled against my logical brain. Which was fine. Bodies made decisions. Adults managed those decisions and moved forward with information.

Except I was stuck in Rome with him. I couldn’t just climb out of bed and slink back to my apartment, knowing I’ll never see him again.

I will see him. Often.

And I had to fix whatever this was before it ruined my friendship with Melody. At the end of the day, Cash was family. I was the friend. I knew I’d be the one pushed out.

I shifted slightly and felt his arm tighten around me.

“I’ll fix it,” I said softly. “The Angelica thing. I’ll figure out a way to clean it up.”

He stirred slightly. Not asleep yet, or not fully.

“I should have just been your arm piece.” The words tasted bad but I said them anyway. “You were right. I went off script and made a mess and I should have talked to you first. I’m sorry. I’ll make it right.”