Page 85 of Memories of Us

Brenton

I LOVED IT WHEN SHEbegged, but not in this case. She was right. Someone like her deserved a man who knew his place was at her side, giving her what she needed on a daily basis.

Not me.

Not with my addictions and fucked-up family.

Someone better, less jaded, able to return the deep, soul-cleaning love she offered.

That person was not me, but still, I couldn't let her go. Which made me a complete asshole since I was leaving. But I was Brenton Graves; it was who I was and what would be listed on my tombstone someday.

Her dark hair slid through my fingers as I pushed it behind her ear.

“I'm sorry I couldn't be the man you deserve,” I whispered. Not giving her a chance to respond, I pressed my lips to her neck and peppered kisses along her jaw until I reached her lips.

Fingers tangled in her hair, I pulled her closer. Beks’s nails scratched up my back before wrapping around my neck and digging in.

One long, muscular leg hitched around my hip and urged me harder against her with a heel to my ass. There was no holding back my groan of approval from passing through my lips to hers. Guiding her back against the stone wall, I grabbed each cheek and hauled her higher. Instantly the other leg wrapped around my hip, spreading her wide.

“Condom,” I mumbled against her collarbone on my descent to her lush breasts.

“Not on me,” she groaned.

“I'll go—”

“Don't you fucking dare. I'm good. You?”

I retreated and stared at her, chest heaving from the restraint needed to not push into her that second, and from the twinges of pain radiating from bruises gained during my earlier altercation.

“I'm good, but we don't—”

“Now, Brenton. Now,” she pleaded, flexing her hips to push her warm center up and down my cock.

“Fuck,” I gritted out before nipping at her hard nipple.

“That's the idea.” Weaving her fingers into my hair, she pushed my face harder against her breast. Instead of giving in to her urging, I looked up until her attention was on me, cheeks flushed, eyes hooded. Damn, the woman was gorgeous.

“This isn't fucking,” I said. Claiming both wrists in one hand, I pinned them against the stone wall above her head. Each inch I slid into her tightness was torture and fucking incredible. The water washed away the sweat beading along my forehead and temples. “This is me showing you what I can’t say.”

Brushing my lips against hers, I held her gaze as I pushed in all the way. Tears welled in her lower lids before spilling over the edges and streaming down her cheeks. First the left, then the right, I kissed away each tear. Each drop of salt water against my lips was like pouring it on an open wound. My heart ached to tell her what she wanted, needed to hear. The truth my heart hurt to say.

Taking our time, we moved slow, savoring this last time together. When she squeezed me, finding her release, I devoured her scream, loving the feel of her entire body convulsing as I shuddered into her.

Keeping her legs wrapped around my hips, me still inside her, I pressed my forehead against hers as I calmed my erratic breath.

“Goodbye, Brenton,” she whispered.

“Stay with me,” I said, nearly pleading. “One more night. Stay with me. Please.”

“Yes.”

Tucking my head between her neck and shoulder, I pulled her tight, hoping it would somehow chase away the loneliness and devastation that had begun to creep in.

**

OUTSIDE, THE UNBEARABLEWest Texas heat had already warmed the window pane I leaned against. Adjusting my stance to use the wall instead, I held my attention out the window in hopes of a glimpse of Beks. The truck was out front, proving she was there, but where was the question. The thought of her being anywhere near that lousy-ass father of hers made anger pulse through my blood.

I woke up alone that morning, stretching across the cool, soft sheets in search of her warm body but came up empty. At some point in the early morning hours, she snuck out with me passed out from pure exhaustion. Having her once in the shower wasn't enough. Neither was the second or third or fourth. Each time I needed one more touch, one more kiss as much as I needed the air to breathe.

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