Page 86 of Animal Beats

There it is. He wants me to accept him, warts and all. And I’m well acquainted with all his warts. Despite everything that’s happened, my heart yearns to be with him. It’s not rational—it’s not smart. Yet … undeniable.

“One last time. Only once. Then I’m on a flight home to North Carolina, and you’ll be jetting off to meet the band in Ireland.”

He pulls me against his chest, inhaling deeply. “You don’t smell like oranges.”

His scent has a definite citrus bent. “You do.”

“Only because of you.”

He separates from me, his gaze searching mine. With his palm, he pushes my hair away from my face. “You are so beautiful.”

“No need to lay it on so thick, drummer boy.” I’m fully aware of how I look, tearstained and all.

“Let me amend. To me, you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. You possess magical qualities to see into my soul.” He brings his lips near mine and kisses my cheek. “I can’t lose you.”

For one more moment, I want to believe him. Pretend my world isn’t a perfect storm. So I bury my head in the sand. No matter the consequences, I want to be with Río at this moment.

I whisper, “I want us, too.”

His eyelids cover his expressive brown eyes, and our lips meet as if it were our first time. He melds against me, urging our lips to dive deeper.

My hand slides down his sculpted torso and circles up to encircle his neck. His other hand goes around my back, encouraging our bodies to follow what our lips are doing. For some reason, this feels different.

I groan as his tongue taps my lips, then open for him to come inside. Taking a cue from his book, I swirl mine inside his mouth.

His heart rate increases.

So does mine.

He breaks apart to catch his breath. His forehead meets my brow. “You can’t leave me, Hayden. I can’t survive.”

All the reasons why I have to leave can be addressed later. Right now, all that matters is this. Him and me. “I want you, Río.”

I toss my shirt over my head. He follows my lead. When I reach to undo my white bra, he reaches out. “Let me.”

I nod, and offer him my back. He unsnaps my plain bra and throws it onto the floor somewhere near my shirt. He turns me toward him, his palms now covering each of my breasts. He plucks and rubs and pinches, all of which make me spiral. I deserve this last piece of happiness before returning to the real world.

He trails open-mouthed kisses down my torso before latching onto one of my nipples. His blond head at my chest is something I’ll never forget. To have this sexy man all to myself one final time is a blessing I’ll cherish forever.

Río’s hand slides down to my leggings, where he tries to find a zipper. Despite being turned on by everything he’s already done, I giggle. “No zipper on these.”

“I was figuring that out.” He stands. Placing his hands on my hips, he instructs, “Lift.”

When I comply, he takes off both my panties and leggings in one smooth move. He scans my naked body. “I’ll make you understand what you mean to me.”

So long as he helps me forget what’s waiting on the other side of this bed. My fingers pull at the bow at his waist. Then I tug his sweats off.

We’re both finally bare. His ripped torso calls out to me, and I kiss my way between the muscles on his abs.

“Yes,” he groans. “Like that.”

Truth is, none of the other guys I’ve been with had a body like his. So, I do the rational thing and take advantage of what’s in front of me. I trace around his muscles, first with my lips, then with my tongue. Amazing what pounding on a drum set for hours does.

“You’re thinking too much, Babysitter.” Río sits up so we’re face to face, and wraps his strong arms around me. “I want to kiss you. Here and there.”

I don’t have time to sort out what he’s said when his mouth captures mine in a hard kiss, and his fingers slip between my thighs. The next thing I know my mind is about to explode when his tongue enters my mouth while his fingers strum my pussy.

“Oh!” I groan. “So good.”