Page 50 of Stealing Forever

“I barely exhale and he’s sitting up again, moving the hand that’s wrapped around my neck and ripping open my sleep shirt, letting it fall to the side so my breasts are bare. My nipples are already puckered but when the cool air hits them, they harden almost painfully. 'Fuck,’ he groans and kneads my breast roughly. He grabs it so hard it feels like he’s trying to rip it from my body, but he soothes the discomfort by leaning forward and taking my nipple into his mouth. I suck a breath sharply before it turns into a moan. The pad of his tongue laps at my breast, and he grabs it roughly with his hand again.” Hailey lets out another whimper, holding the book to her chest. “Declan, I can’t, I’m so?—”

“I know, sweetheart. You’re making it so hard to hold back. I want to touch you so bad.”

“So touch me.Please, Declan. Touch me,” she begs, and it’s like music to my ears. It flairs something inside of me—something raw and feral.

But I remind myself I can’t.

I fuckingcan’t.

It’s not just my heart on the line.

“Keep reading,” I rumble, squeezing my eyes shut before I do something we both may regret later.

“‘What is your name?’” Hailey’s soft voice is strained. “I half whimper, half moan. He releases my breast with both his hands and mouth, and begins pushing my sleep pants down. His eyes stare into mine as he tugs everything down my legs, panties included. My subconscious screams at me to tell him to stop—that this is wrong—but I don’t. I can’t. I’m too invested, too turned on, and I would be lying to myself if I said I didn’t want this. But the fact he hasn’t even asked if I wanted this sends alarm bells off in my head. Still, I do nothing, and as he tosses my clothes to the side, I let my legs fall open. He sits back on his heels again and stares at my pussy with a look of raw desperation in his eyes before turning his gaze to mine. ‘We don’t need to exchange names, baby girl. For only one night, you’re mine, and I’m yours. I’ll leave before morning and you’ll never see me again, but for tonight, I’m going to fulfill your every fantasy. Would you like that?’”

“Why’d you stop?” I immediately ask, wanting more.

“That was the end of the chapter.”

Quiet settles between us, every breath we take only intensifies the desire that crackles around us like wildfire. How the hell am I supposed to sleep in the same bed as her tonight and not touch her? Not sink myself inside of her?

I need to put some space between us. It might make me look like a piece of shit, but the only thing I can think to do is go take a walk. “Turns out I do like your book, sweetheart. You should keep reading. I’m going to go get some air.”

“You’re leaving?”

“I’ll be back shortly. I think it’s best if we both cool off for a few before we cross any more lines.”

Pushing off the wall, I stride over to the door. With every step, I feel more like a coward, but I have to think about this long-term and not be selfish.

I went too far, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy every second of it, but as my hand wraps around the door handle, I feel relief pour into me that I didn’t physically breach the boundary with Hailey.

She could still wake up tomorrow and quit, but something tells me she won’t.

“Declan, I—” She hops off the counter, her bare feet hitting the tile with a soft thud.

“I know, sweetheart.” With a tight-lipped smile, I leave the bathroom.

I don’t actually know what she was about to say, but I can imagine many ends to that sentence, and in every scenario, I feel the same as her.

Tossing a T-shirt on, I find the darkest corner and quickly shed my sweatpants, stepping into a pair of jeans instead, before shoving my feet into a worn-down pair of slides. I grab my cell phone off the bedside table and drop it into my back pocket, along with my wallet and room key, and leave in search of the hotel bar.

As I wait for the elevator, I text in the group chat. I’d put money on the guys still being awake and out, being that it’s only ten-thirty.

Anyone up for a drink?

Jensen Fields Jr.

Already two drinks in.

Austin Cooper

At the hotel’s bar, Coach. You joining us?

On my way down.

Gareth Fox

Up. We’re at the rooftop bar.

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