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Too quiet and reserved.
“That leaves us with ten people still.”
“Ten is better than twenty-two,” I say, reading over our list, wondering if I’m staring at the name of the man who took my friend’s life.
I know all of them.
They are all regulars at Riley’s. I’ve seen and talked to most of them since returning to town. A few were at the lantern release, some at the brunch, but all ten were at the fountain dedication. All ten were staring at me on stage while Summer thanked me for helping. I remember the expressions on each of their faces. None of them stood out. They were all smiling up at me with hope in their eyes. Or at least that’s what I thought I saw.
The big test will be if any of them show up for drinks at Riley’s tonight. Everyone’s invited. It’s the last event for Sam’s memorial celebration. The anniversary of her death.
A day that would hold special meaning to him. One he would celebrate every year. He would have a tradition. He’d visit the place he killed her. At the time he killed her. He wouldn’t be able to help it. He’d be compelled to go back to the scene even though she’s not there. The blood is long gone and there’s no trace of what happened.
“He’ll be there tonight,” I say to Jay as I pull my T-shirt over my head. I’m sticky from sweating all day and need to shower before we head to Riley’s. “Then he won’t. He’ll go back to where it all started, and I plan to be there for it.”
Jay’s eyes watch me intently as I pull my yoga pants off, tossing them in the corner. Slowly backing away from where he’s seated on the bed, you’d think I had him tied to a string. He stands, stripping his own clothes off as he follows me into the bathroom.
“I’m going to the park tonight. I’m going to see for myself who killed Sam.”
“The hell you are!” Jay roars, quickly making his way to me and pulling me into his arms. My underwear is the only thing separating out bodies until Jay reaches down and rips them away with one tug. “You aren’t going anywhere. Especially not alone. He’ll give himself away, and when he does, we’ll make sure he’s caught. But first …” His voice trails off as his hands glide lower until they’re under my ass and he’s lifting me in the air.
I automatically wrap my legs around his waist, crossing my ankles, and holding on as he steps into the shower, effortlessly carrying me with him. The cold spray does nothing to cool my skin as it beats down against me.
“You were saying?” I ask, wiggling against his growing erection.
Letting out a growl, Jay lifts me with one arm, positions himself at my entrance, and enters me in one thrust, my back hitting the shower wall at the same moment his balls slap against my ass.
Our groans mix as Jay captures my lips, sliding in and out of me slowly but with such force I’m clawing at his back, wanting him closer. Needing more.
His hands come up to caress my cheeks, holding my face captive as he slows our kiss before finally pulling away, driving into me and stilling.
“I can’t lose you again, Drea. I won’t survive it. You can’t run from me this time. Promise me you won’t.”
I can’t promise him anything. I won’t leave until I know Sam’s memory can rest in peace, but as far as everything else … I just can’t promise to not run away from him. Right now we need each other, but that might change once this ends.
My body is trapped against his. He’s deep inside of me, waiting for me to answer him. I wrap my legs tighter around his waist, silently begging him with my eyes to move, but he doesn’t budge. He wants an answer and he’s not negotiating.
“I need you, Jay.”
“What do you need from me?” he asks, pressing deeper though I didn’t think it was possible.
“Just you. You’re all I’ve ever needed. All I’ve ever wanted,” I confess, the lies I was planning on telling him a forgotten thought.
I need Jay. I’ve always needed him. Wanted him. Craved him.
“You won’t run?”
“Only if you catch me.”
“I’ll always catch you, Drea.” Pulling back, Jay thrusts into me with punishing force. “I was meant to catch you.” Another torturous thrust and I can feel the pressure building in my core. “From the moment I laid eyes on you I knew you were it for me.”
Two thrusts this time and I feel him grow inside of me, my walls clenching against him as he drags across sensitive skin.
“Mine.”
“Yours,” I echo.
“You. Were. Made. For. Me.” Each word is punctuated with a thrust until he finally stills inside of me, buried deep. The growl that escapes his lips sends me over the edge, my orgasm spiraling as I dig my nails into Jay’s back.
