Page 99 of One Reckless Night

When I finally opened my eyes, he was watching me with an intensity that made my stomach flip. His hand gently withdrew from between my legs,

“You’re incredible,” he said, his voice rough.

Before I could respond, he was undoing his belt and pushing his pants down just enough to free himself. He was hard, already straining with need. My breath hitched as he stepped closer, his hands gripping my hips and pulling me to the very edge of the bench.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he commanded.

I didn’t hesitate. My thighs tightened around him as he positioned himself at my entrance. His eyes met mine for a split second before he thrust into me. My walls stretched around him, welcoming him in. He was so big that it was almost too much but then it was perfect—just right.

He began to move slowly, his hips grinding against mine in a rhythm that had us both panting for air. The friction was like fireworks going off inside me, making my entire body tingle and throb with need. Every touch from him sent sparks of electricity racing through me.

Jared’s hands gripped my hips tighter, his movements growing more urgent. His lips crashed into mine again, swallowing my moans as he drove deeper. The lab bench creaked beneath us, a sound that only fueled the wildness of the moment. This wasn’t just passion; it was hunger. A hunger that had been simmering between us for weeks, finally unleashed.

“Amelia,” he growled against my mouth. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

I didn’t respond—I couldn’t. Every fiber of my being was focused on what he was doing to me. By the way his body moved against mine like we were made for each other. My hands slid down his back, clinging to him as if he might vanish if I let go.

His pace quickened, his thrusts becoming harder, more deliberate. I gasped, my nails digging into his skin as the tension in my body coiled tighter and tighter. He was everywhere—his scent, his touch, his voice whispering my name like a prayer.

“Look at me,” he demanded, his gray eyes burning into mine.

I did. And in that moment, I saw something raw and unfiltered in him—something he rarely let anyone see. Vulnerability. Need. It shook me to my core.

“Jared,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He didn’t respond with words. Instead, he kissed me again, deep and consuming, as if trying to fuse us together.

His rhythm faltered for a moment, his control slipping as he pressed his forehead against mine, his breath ragged. “I’m close,” he choked out. “Tell me you’re with me.”

“I’m with you,” I gasped, my body already on the edge again. “Always.”

That was all he needed. With a groan that seemed to come from deep within him, he buried himself inside me one last time, his body shuddering as he found his release. I clung to him, my own climax crashing over me in a wave of heat and light, my muscles contracting around him as we fell apart together.

For a long moment, neither of us moved. I could feel the steady thump of his heart against my chest.

Finally, he pulled back slightly. There was something unspoken in his gaze, something heavy and uncertain. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then shook his head slightly, the moment passing.

“We should clean up,” he said quietly.

The weight of what we’d just done settled over me. This was a mistake. A beautiful, intoxicating mistake, but a mistake, nonetheless.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

I knew him well by now—knew that he was going to change his mind again, decide this wasn’t what he wanted. I couldn’t let myself believe that this time would be any different. I couldn’t let myself hope.

“I’m sure,” I said, my voice firmer this time. I hopped off the bench and pushed my skirt down. My panties were lying on the floor. I picked them up and stuffed them in the pocket of my lab coat. The lab was suddenly too small. I needed to get away from him.

“Amelia,” he started, but I cut him off.

“I’m going home,” I said, grabbing my laptop and shoving it into my bag. “I’m tired.”

He cocked his head to the side and studied me while he did up his pants. “Are you feeling okay? You look pale.”

I shook my head, avoiding his gaze. “I’m just tired,” I said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I couldn’t. If I stayed any longer, I might have said something I’d regret—something that would make it even harder to walk away. I left the lab, leaving him to lock up. I had to get away from him.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. I needed a shower, needed to wash away the remnants of him. I could feel his scent clinging to me. It was like being haunted.

I stepped into the shower, the hot water washing over me. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. But as I stood there, dizziness hit me like a wave. I gripped the shower wall, my vision swimming, and quickly turned off the water. On legs that felt as weak as a newborn deer, I stepped out onto the fuzzy rug. I wrapped myself in a towel and stumbled to the bed, collapsing onto the mattress.

I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, wondering if I was getting sick or if this light-headedness was pregnancy related. Or maybe it was just the sheer amount of stress I was under. Whatever it was, it wasn’t helping my already frazzled nerves.