Page 70 of A New Chapter

Zack hoisted her up so that her legs wrapped around his waist and backed them up to the bed. Instead of lying back, he perched on the edge, holding her firmly in his grip. Emma tingled with anticipation. Their lovemaking had become more intense as of late, and she basked in it. She wasn’t sure if it was because their time was limited, or if it was because they were becoming more comfortable with each other. Whatever the reason, she embraced it and matched his passion with equal fervor.

Zack put his hands on her breasts and plucked at her nipples while they both watched. Emma sucked in a breath when he leaned down and pulled on first one and then the other with his mouth.

“So beautiful,” he murmured.

Emma slid her hands into his thick mass of hair and massaged his scalp while he continued to use his hands and mouth on her. Her hips started moving of their own accord, and his hardness pressed against her belly.

Zack slid one hand between her legs and strummed her until Emma felt her whole body pulse with need. Her breathing became shallow, and she felt light-headed, but Zack had a good grip on her, and she trusted that he wouldn’t let her fall.

“Hands on my shoulders and lean up a little,” Zack demanded, his voice husky with desire.

Emma did as he asked and came up on her knees. Zack positioned himself at her entrance and slowly slid into place, filling her to the hilt.

“Ok?” he asked.

“Yes,” she panted.

Emma squeezed her fingers into Zack’s broad shoulders and held on tight. She was aware of his large hands on her hips, guiding her up and slowly back down again, over and over, bringing her to the brink and then easing off. Her head tilted back, and his lips were against her throat, warm and moist, kissing and nibbling.

She opened her eyes for a brief second and spotted the condom packet on the nightstand, just out of reach. But now Zack’s hand was back between her legs, and the combination was too much. She couldn’t stop—didn’t want to stop.

Zack pulled his head away from her chest and gazed up at her, longingly, lovingly. “Em?”

She knew what he was asking, but at that moment, she was fearless. “Safe time of the month. Please… don’t… stop,” she groaned.

Stars, sparks, flames… it was the most intense experience she had ever had. She lost herself completely in that moment, and Zack followed right behind. They tumbled back on the bed together and waited for the tremors to subside. They clung to each other as if they could fuse together, and Emma felt the words bubble up in her throat and threaten to spill out.

I love this man. I truly, madly, deeply love this man. But I can’t say it. Not yet. It’s too soon, isn’t it? Emma swallowed her words and nuzzled into his neck, pressing her lips against his warm skin to prevent her mouth from opening.

Zack rubbed his hand gently up and down her back and breathed deeply.

Whenever Zack was silent for long, it unnerved her. Is he holding back too? She decided to wait it out a little longer, and then…

“Emma, I want to tell you something.”

She pulled her head out of his neck to look into his eyes, which, if she weren’t mistaken, looked a little watery.

“Tell me,” she managed.

“I…”

Brrring, brrring, brrring. Zack’s phone buzzed insistently in his pants pocket.

“Shit,” he muttered and scrambled off the bed.

Emma sat up against the headboard and waited.

“What? Wait. Slow down and tell me what happened.”

Oh my God, Gracie. Emma jumped off the bed and started pulling on her clothes.

Zack tucked the phone in his neck and yanked his pants on.

“I’ll be right there,” he said and hung up.

“Is it Gracie?” Emma couldn’t hide the panic in her voice.

“That was Alicia. Gracie fell off the monkey bars at Depot Park. She’s at the emergency clinic in town. I have to go.”