Page 59 of The Truth of Our Past

My phone buzzes, and I blow out a breath.

“Everything okay?”

“Em says he’s fine and not to worry, but...” I sigh.

“How areyoudoing after the situation with Madyson and Jayce?”

“You mean how my Viking came for battle, and it was so sexy it tempted me to fuck you right there?” With Von’s sidelong glance, I’m certain he won’t drop it. “Eh, I’ve been avoiding aconfrontation with Mads so I wouldn’t upset her, and then I went all in and said things that hurt. But I told her the truth. Honestly, I’m more worried for Em than her. And I’m over Jayce’s alpha protector bullshit.”

Von takes in a deep breath calming himself. “So you think it’s sexy when I do it for you, but not when Jayce puts himself in the middle of you and Madyson?”

“Exactly. Don’t care if it’s hypocritical.” I spot a few paparazzi on the corner and drop Von’s hand. “Next block, three paps. Probably staking out the club. I’d be surprised if they take their eyes off their target to take our picture, but it’s your call how to play this.” Von hates the invasion of privacy and speculation with Lars, so I won’t subject him to more if I can prevent it.

Von slows his pace and focuses on me. “My issue with the paparazzi is the lies and stories they invent. I know as a former public figure, I will be photographed sometimes. Do you mind? It would be both of us, and it’s possible that you will be called unknown man.”

He rakes a hand through his hair, and I can tell he wants to tie it up. “That can be humiliating. Or so I’ve been told.”

“Then you’ve been misinformed. Being photographed with the hottest man on the planet and keeping my privacy. Win. Win.” Half my mouth turns up, uncertain of his thoughts.

Von seizes my wrist and brings my palm to his lips. “The love potion I slipped in your drink must be working.”

A laugh bursts from my gut, delighting Von and breaking the tension. “I was wondering why I had love on the brain. You cursed me.” Using the word love is a rock in my stomach. It’s a joke. Only a joke. So why are my insides agitated, thinking the L-word is real?

Von’s smiling from ear to ear. “Curse, blessing. What’s your saying, tomato or potato?”

We’re in front of my building, but I’m laughing too hard to put the key in the oversized lock. I don’t have a doorman, but this door is impenetrable. “Viking,” I choke out between laughs, “it’s toe-ma-toe or ta-ma-toe.Orpoe-ta-toe or pa-ta-toe. I’ll give you an A for effort.” I finally unlock the door and get him up to my apartment.

When the door closes behind us, Von says, “Let me earn an A for effort for––how do you say it––dicking you down.” His body covers mine and my need surges up.

We’re kissing and I envision fucking him bent over my couch, but I also want him in my bed to take my time. Von chooses for me. He scans my apartment and since it’s New York, there’s not much to see. A galley kitchen with an island, a small living room with a couch, TV, coffee table, and large window with a view of a brick wall. He spots the two open doors. The bathroom and bedroom. Von hustles me toward the bedroom, and I decide that I’ll fuck him over the couch tomorrow morning.

He ducks into the bathroom to cleanup, then I take my turn.

Von’s brow is low, crowding his serious eyes. “Your muscles are tense. Let me work you loose.” Von palms my ass, grinding us together.

He’s being thoughtful. Responsible. I’m reckless and out of my comfort zone. He’s loosening up and showing his sense of humor by using the L-word. I’m not going to read too much into it and fuck up the perfect sexuationship. We’ve moved beyond a simple sexuation.

Von steps back, but his hands cup my shoulders. “We don’t have to do anything tonight if you’re uncomfortable.”

Looking into his sincere bottomless blue eyes, I realize I’ll follow wherever he wants to take me. It’s terrifying and electrifying.

“It’s fine,älskling.” Von wraps his arms around my waist. “You lead.”

For the first time ever, taking control feels like a weakness instead of power. I’ll be admitting I’m broken if I can’t relax and enjoy what he’s offering.

It shouldn’t be hard.

It shouldn’t be a difficult decision.

My instinct is to undress Von, but if I’m letting him lead, I have to show him I mean it. When I start to strip, his breath hitches. “You gonna do this, or do I have to?”

Von slaps my hands away from the button on my jeans and takes over. His concern evaporates in a lust haze, and I vow to lose myself in the cravings.

When we’re naked, Von throws me on the bed as if he’s truly a Viking, intent on conquering me. As I bounce, a giggle slips out, and I do it again to see Von flush and his cock jump at the sound. I catalog that Von likes the softer side of me that I don’t let other people see.

A naked Von straddles me as I’m face down, massaging my shoulders and back. He’s working to keep his weight off me, but his erection pokes me. “Put all your weight on me. So I feel every inch of you.” I moan when his ass, balls and cock settle on my lower back.

“I need all your sounds.” Von’s voice is guttural.

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