Page 31 of Luci’s Lullaby

I watch him walk to the bathroom, rubbing my lips where his just left me. I’m sore, sleepy, and thrilled. I want to scream at the top of my lungs, “I fucked Alden Beck!”

“And very well, I might add,” he says from the doorway. I close my eyes, praying this isn’t happening.

Throwing my arm over my face, I feel it heat as I die a shameful death. “You did not hear that.”

I feel the bed move as he touches my arm, tugging on it. “Hey, Rae. Oh, c’mon. Was it that bad?”

I move my arm long enough to shake my head. “No but… you heard that, and I don’t want you to think it’s why I slept with you.”

“Okay.” He doesn’t say another word. My heart stops from the silence. I peek from under my arm to find him staring at me. “It’s alright.”

I sit up, clutching the sheet to me. “Let me explain.” I can’t. “I’ll say this, I’m surprised I’m here, but I’m okay with it.” I slap my hand over my mouth.

His brows raise. “You can stop now.”

“Wait, I have to fix this.” I lick my lips, buying some time. “I never intended on meeting you or staying.”

He holds his hand up. “Really, please stop.”

“I suck.” I bury my head in my hands.

“You don’t suck, and I understand; it’s fine.” He pulls on my hand.

“If I could explain I would, but I will say this… I’m glad I stayed.”

His face softens and my stomach flips. “Me too, Rae.”

My heart sinks when that name falls from his mouth. I’m lying to him, but there’s no way I’m telling him now. Tomorrow. I’ll tell him before I leave. I’ll tell him everything.

“Now that I’ve thoroughly embarrassed myself, I’ll go get cleaned up.” He wraps my wrist, hauling me to him.

“How about you wait on that for a little while.” He presses his lips to mine.

I narrow my eyes as my face heats. “Sounds like a plan.”

We fall back onto the bed, tangled in all the best ways. His body molds to mine, and we get lost in each other. The night passes quickly, and we force ourselves to sleep. I could get use to this, but I know it isn’t possible.

Morning comes insanely early. I can’t believe I can move. Stretching, I feel him before I see him. I peel my lids back to find the most entrancing blue eyes staring back at me.

“Good mornin’, beautiful.” His lopsided grin has me ready to sigh.

“Mornin’.”

His hand runs down my side to my thigh, he hooks it, hitching it up on his side. “I had to wake you up early. No way you’re leaving here without me giving you something to remember me by.”

I throw my arms around him, hooking my feet behind his back. “You were saying?”

He stares into my eyes as he enters me tenderly and slowly. His hips swivel with each push and pull. I clench around his shaft as my orgasm builds. I gasp when he leans in, kissing me softly.

This feels real, too real. I’m lost in him and pray I never have to face the world. I know it isn’t real, and all too soon this will end, but I want it. I want this with him.

This is a mistake.

He pushes me like never before, steadily breaking my resolve. I can’t stop it, and I don’t want to. No more fighting, I let go and allow everything I want to feel with him in.

We climax at the same time, exploding around one another. As fast as we climbed, we crash back down. I feel it in my core, the loss before the leaving. This is it, I have to tell him.

“Rae, you are an amazing woman,” he murmurs when he falls down beside me.