Page 52 of Phoenix

Chapter 13

Nora

Warmth. That’s all I feel.

I blink my eyes open to see the sun peeking through an opening between the blackout curtains on the hotel windows. It’s slashing across my face and I have to close my eyes and shift a bit to keep it out.

I reach my hand back, half-expecting the bed to be empty, but my fingers graze against the skin of Case’s back. Memories of last night come flooding back when I feel the soreness between my legs.

He was so rough, yet so gentle, all at the same time. I touch my waist, where he was gripping me last night and it’s sore there too.

I wonder if there are marks.

I hope there are marks.

We didn’t have sex again last night. It’s like it wasn’t needed. We got into bed and fell asleep with his body curled into mine from behind.

I roll to face him and take in the expanse of his strong back, tracing every muscle and ripple with my finger.

This man is Adonis.

I’ve never been with a man like this before.

And I’ll never be able to do it again. The realization hurts me in a way I don’t expect.

This was a one-time thing, Nora. To get him out of your system. Now you can focus on you.

He moves a bit in his sleep and emits a little groan. Much like the groans he breathed into my ears last night when he came. I squeeze my thighs together at the memory.

A one-time thing my ass. My body even knows I’m kidding myself.

I lean forward, craving the heat he is giving off and curl against him.

I don’t even have a chance to get settled because he instantly bursts awake, thrashing violently.

“Fuck! No!” he shouts.

I react immediately, scurrying back away from him, clutching the sheet over my chest, hiding my nakedness, suddenly feeling way overexposed and terrified.

“Case...” I whisper.

He’s struggling to catch his breath and he sits up, throwing the blanket off of him and stands, not minding he’s as nude as I am.

“Christ, Nora.” He runs his hands through his hair.

“Are you okay? Did I...?” Did I what? I don’t even know what I’m asking, but I touched him and he freaked out. That’s all I know.

“No, no you didn’t do anything.” He takes another breath, like he can’t get enough oxygen.

“What happened? Are you okay?” I pull the sheet up to my neck now, too vulnerable under his gaze.

“Just a nightmare. It’s nothing.” He sits back down on the bed, facing away from me with his head in his hands. “What time is it?”

I glance at the alarm clock. “Eight fifteen.”

“Fuck being awake right now. Let’s go back to bed.”

“Case, you can’t just ignore what just happened. You were clearly having a very intense nightmare and...”

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