Page 111 of Don't Let Go

James hit my shoulder with his. “You looking for Rory?”

“Yeah. I was hoping to catch her here. She needs a good distraction after everything that’s happened.” My throat closed off after I said that, worried I shared too much. Did anyone else know the horrors Rory had been through?

“I hear ya. Between whatever happened between her and Paolo and losing her sister like that, I can’t blame her forhaving a black cloud over her head.” James tapped my arm and motioned behind me. “Maybe you’ll get your chance.”

James walked off, leaving me standing alone. Chloe spotted me first and gestured toward me. Rory looked up and she didn’t appear haunted like she has been these last few weeks. She hugged Chloe and walked over to me.

“Hey, you,” she said softly.

“Hey, yourself. You look better.” I sucked in my teeth. “I mean better than you were. Not that you’ve never not looked beautiful. I should shut up.” My shoe toed at the dirt, digging a tiny hole.

Rory laughed, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “I get it. I’ve been nuclear since I lost Lizzy.” She shrugged her one bare shoulder. The dress she had on was light pink. As I slid my arms around her waist, I could feel how soft the cotton was.

“If I could, I’d give up my life so you could have Lizzy back,” I whispered into her ear.

She hugged me tight around the torso, resting her cheek on my shoulder. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re here. You don’t know how much I needed you.”

She smelled like fresh roses. I couldn’t help but kiss her shoulder. “As I told you before, I’ll never let you go.”

“I had to go to a meeting earlier. That’s why I was late coming here.”

I broke our embrace, holding Rory at arm’s length with my hands resting on her hips as I stared into her green eyes.

She turned to face the fire. The yellow and orange in the flames made her skin glow. “What happened?”

“I’m free. They’re not going to punish me for what I did. They understood I was under duress. The mob is more upset at Paolo for undermining them. He’s being flown back to Italy tomorrow morning to answer to his grandfather in person.”

I grimaced. “Uhh. That would be super awkward answering to the boss.”

“Yup. But I don’t care. I never have to see him again. Usually, those who see the boss don’t come back.” She moved her arms from my waist to around my neck. “But enough of that idiot. I want to enjoy tonight.”

My fingers brushed her jawline. She smiled, pulling me in closer for a kiss. She tasted like cherries, and she seemed playful—mischievous.

“Did you drive here?” she breathed, her lips brushing against mine with more passion than before.

“No. I came with the guys,” I replied, my heart racing as she stepped back and reached for her car fob. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her even more.

“I drove here,” she said, watching me with those beautiful doe eyes that always seemed to captivate me. She giggled and tugged on my hand, leading me toward the red Charger parked not too far away.

As we approached the car, she unlocked it and opened the back door. She got in first, pushing some extra clothes to the floor to make room for us. I followed suit and climbed in, closing the door behind me before caressing her.

Rory unbuttoned my pants and tugged on my zipper. I had to move back so she could yank my pants down my thighs. I kicked them away.

She hungrily licked her lips and stroked my dick with her hand over my boxers, feeling how much I needed her.

My hands slid under her dress. I was eager to explore every inch of her skin. My fingers couldn’t resist running over her silky panties between her thighs. She was already wet. Rory wiggled her hips as my thumbs hooked onto the waistband and pulled her panties down. She arched back and I couldn’t help admiring how stunning she looked as the moonlight streamed in through the back window.

“Rory,” I breathed, bending to kiss her lips. “Do you know I’ve fallen for you?”

She laughed softly, her arms moving behind her head as she welcomed my touch. “I already know because I’ve fallen for you too,” she replied, gazing up at me with adoration.

She slipped out of her dress and unhooked her bra. I palmed her breasts, giving each nipple a quick lick before devouring her mouth. She moaned in pleasure, bucking her hips against me.

Feeling emboldened, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a condom that I had hidden there just in case. Her lips curved into a wicked grin as I kicked off my boxers.

Rory grabbed the collar of my shirt with one hand and brought our lips together in a passionate kiss as if she needed me to breathe. Her hands explored the plains of my stomach as she kissed along my throat until she bit into my shoulder. The pain only made me want her more.

I chuckled at her playfulness, my heart swelling with affection. For the first time in weeks, I saw a genuine spark of joy in Rory.

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