Page 38 of Puck Off, She’s Mine

"Maybe because all the rumors you're spreading are giving me a headache," I complain, dropping my stuff onto the credenza before kicking my shoes off. "I mean, honestly, Phoenix. It's getting ridiculous at this point. Did you know you're a secret billionaire and that you've given your entire fortune away to cure pediatric cancer?"

Another deep laugh rumbles down the line. "Damn. I'm impressive."

"You're full of it, is what you are!" I cry. "Stop spreading rumors about yourself."

"Is that what you want?"

I pause halfway across my living room, nearly tripping on the rug. "Are you admitting that you're responsible for them?"

"Depends," he says.

"On what?"

"On whether you're going to open the door and let me in."

"You…" I spin around so fast I get dizzy. "You're at my house?"

"You're at your house, so…yeah, I'm at your house."

My heart thuds against my ribcage. "Um, are you alone?"

"Yes. You going to let me in?"

I scurry across the living room so fast Usain Bolt would be impressed. Before I even remember I'm still holding the phone, the door is wide open, and I'm in Phoenix's arms. He lifts me off the floor, his lips crashing against mine.

I hear my phone hit the tiles, but I don't care. I just wrap myself around him, clinging.

"Fuck," he grunts, kicking the door closed. His lips come down on mine in a hard kiss, his hands already yanking the bottom of my dress up.

I whine his name, pulling his hair.

"You need me, baby?" He nips my bottom lip, pressing me up against the wall beside the door. "You hurting for me?"

"Yes," I moan, my head rolling. "Always." It's the truth. I always need him. I'm always hurting for him. And the more I'm with him, the more it hurts. It's like he's embedding himself under my skin, permanently tattooing himself into my psyche. And every damn day, his mark on me grows bigger and bigger.

"Good." He nuzzles my throat before planting his lips at the hollow, his hand slipping beneath my dress. Within seconds, my panties are gone, and his fingers are right there, working their magic.

I come with a sharp cry, shattering around his fingers. My whole body lights up, liquefying.

"Good girl," he breathes against the shell of my ear, lifting me higher. "Keep coming for me just like that."

"Phoenix," I whimper, clawing at his back when he slides inside, not stopping until he's buried to the hilt and I'm stretched wide around him. He pauses then, his whole body shuddering the same way it always does.

"Fuck, you always feel so good, Cara," he growls, biting the shell of my ear. "You were made for this, weren't you?"

"No. We were."

"Hell yeah, we were." He rocks into me, his forehead against mine, his body pressed so tightly to mine I feel him everywhere. "This is exactly what we were made for, gorgeous."

And yet…it might end at any moment.

The thought kills me a little. How did he become so vital to me so quickly? It doesn't make sense. A few short weeks ago, he was just a number on a roster. He was part of my job, nothing more. Now, the thought of not knowing him, of not being like this with him, makes me feel like I can't breathe.

I love him. So damn much, it's overwhelming.

"Phoenix, I…I…"

"I know, baby," he croons against my lips. "I know."