Page 96 of Saddles

I want to laugh, but my fingers decide to thread behind her neck and pull her close enough that I can taste her.

When our lips touch, every worry and painful thought disappears into the salty flavor of her kiss.

I need more. I want our bodies to melt into one.

“Come here.” Shifting my hips, I tug the blanket up so I can feel her—

Fuck.

I’m naked?

And my hard cock is hiding nothing at this point.

The chill of her skin brushing against mine sends a shiver through me. “Frosty, you’re freezing.”

“Mmhmm. Especially these.” She leans forward and reaches behind her back to unclasp her bra. “They’re so cold they ache.” Flinging the garment away, her fingers ripple over her beaded nipples.

Gravel reappears in my throat. “I can warm them up.” My callused palm cups the round orb of her tender breast.

“Ford?” Her voice catches. “Will you promise me you’ll stay? I need to know before I get lost in you.” Her nail traces the date of October thirtieth on my chest.

A fire burns white-hot inside of me as I stroke a stray blond lock from her temple. “The last thing I remember thinking was I’d give anything to see you one more time. And if that means I have to give up my weaknesses, my self loathing, and doubts to lay them at your feet, I will.” I let the covers drop as her body settles against mine.

Her knee presses against my thighs, but this time I let her weave it between my legs.

“I promise to fight to be the man you deserve, April. I don’t ever want another night to pass that I can’t hold you.” My thumb works a slow circle over the taut bud.

Her fingers move up, leaving a path of embers as she follows the cords of my neck to tangle them in my hair. “I like that deal.”

It doesn’t take much encouragement for me to consume her lips with mine.

Every hope, every dream, all my fears and hesitations, I pour into the fierceness of my mouth.

With a moan, she melds herself against me until I lose track of where she ends and I begin.

She’s a force of nature, my very own hurricane ripping me apart piece by piece so I can rebuild a better version.

“Ford? Why are you crying?” She wipes beneath my eye, then presses her lips lightly to my nose.

“I almost missed this.” My hand wraps her waist to pull her hips, wedging my stiff cock between our bellies.

“Yea, you’d have been bummed as a ghost when I ravaged your dead body.” Lights dance in her gold irises. “Because you’ve been hiding a very big surprise.”

Her arm snakes down and wraps firmly around my throbbing length. “How, exactly, did you hide these from me?”

“April,” I growl from the shock of her touch. “It’s not exactly like I would announce that the day you got here.”

The sensation is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s as if each bar is radiating its own pulse as her fingers explore.

“How many?” she breathes, pausing when she gets to the tip to swirl her palm over my leaking head.

I can hardly concentrate. “Eight,” I grunt before I grab her wrist and pull her hand up before she can make me lose control. I’m far from ready for that to happen yet.

The mischievous smile fades. “Oh. You got them after…”

“As a daily reminder.” It’s a concession that leaves a sour taste.

But her grin returns, broadening as the pink triangle of her tongue leaves a glistening invitation on her lower lip. “That means it’ll be new for both of us.”

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