Page 67 of Redemption

“Colt,” she says again. This time it comes out as a moan as her eyes close.

“Don’t tell me to stop,” he whispers. “Please.”

“I don’t want you to stop,” she murmurs.

His hands slide down her body to tug at her shorts, his breath hitching as he sees she wears no panties underneath. Her hip bones stick out, and he still can’t get over how skinny she’s become. Because of him.

Burying his face in her sex, he licks and sucks in the ways he knows drive her wild. If he can remind her how good they are together, maybe she’ll reconsider. She’ll see he still wants her, that he always has, and they can find a way to move forward.

“Oh, God,” she pants, her fingers tangling in his hair while her hips buck against his mouth. “I’m almost there.”

His scalp stings in the best way possible as she tugs while she falls apart against him. He’s so hard, he feels the ridges of the zipper digging into his skin through his boxers, and he needs to get them both naked. Now.

Slipping her shorts all the way down, she steps out of them and tugs her shirt over her head. He quickly strips off his clothes and carries her into the bedroom bridal style, the feeling of her skin against his setting him ablaze. It feels like the first time all over again.

He rests his weight on his forearms as he hovers between her legs, his chest touching hers, and she lifts her hips. Accepting her invitation, he slides inside her, both hissing at the pleasure of finally connecting. Being inside her has always been unbelievable, and he wants to live right here forever.

“Fuck, baby,” he mutters and shifts his hips to hit the spot he knows she loves. No matter what changes between them, he’ll always know her body. He can read her movements like a book, and when she starts bucking against him, he revels in the fact they’re back in sync. Finally.

“Colt,” she moans, her nails clawing down his back.

It’s been so long since they’ve been together, since he’s been with anyone, and he feels himself reaching the edge quicker than she is. Stilling, he licks his fingers and reaches between their bodies to rub his fingers roughly against her clit.

“Oh, fuck.”

Her body arches, her hard nipples pressing into his chest, and he nearly explodes even as he remains completely still inside her. Watching her squirm in pleasure has always been the most intoxicating sight.

“Move, Colt. Please,” she begs, her fingers scratching his arms.

Removing his hand, he shifts and rests his arms by her head as he thrusts hard and fast into her. Her lips find his neck, her teeth nibbling his skin, and he feels her explode around him. Her body milks him as she shudders, her moan muffled on his shoulder, and he finds his own release.

“Lex,” he groans and collapses next to her. It was short, but amazing. Leaning over, he kisses her shoulder, his hand resting on her chest, and he feels her heart racing. “Baby?”

“This was a mistake,” she says. “We shouldn’t have done this.”

He stares in confusion as she jumps out of bed and into the bathroom. Walking out with her retrieved clothes, she tosses his onto the bed and quickly dresses.

“Lex, take a breath. It’s okay, baby. This wasn’t a mistake-”

“It sends the wrong message and makes things even more confusing. I’m so sorry, Colt. I shouldn’t have let this happen.”

Standing, he walks over to her, still completely naked, and grabs her arms. “We’re good together. We just forgot for a while, but this is how we’ve always expressed ourselves. I know you still love me. I felt it.”

“It doesn’t change things!” she whisper-shouts, her eyes glancing to the closed door. “We don’t work anymore. And you’ll say you’ll change, and that you want all the things you were running from, but it’ll happen again.”

The cool air washes goosebumps all across his skin, but he barely feels it. Instead, fear consumes him. “I want this. And I’ll change. There was shit going on before, but it’s in the past.”

“Until it isn’t anymore, Colt. Or something else comes up. I can’t go through it again. Losing you so many times should get easier, but it doesn’t. It gets harder, and the kids can’t go through this again.”

“It’s not going to be like it was. I’ll never let something get in the way of our family again. Whatever it is that needs to change, we’ll change it. I’m home. I’m home all the time, and our kids know me. Calla and I have a game we play, and Noah knows he can count on me again. So can you.”

Her hands run through her hair, and he sees them shake. “No-”

“This just proved how good we are together. How much love we still have for each other. We can build off of it. I just need you to let me back in-”

“Just because we can fuck each other senseless doesn’t mean our marriage works. It stopped working outside the bedroom a long time ago. This changes nothing, and I can’t do it again.”

The fear threatens to strangle him. He’s losing her. He almost had her, and she’s slipping through his fingers. “Don’t do this, Lex. Please, I’m begging you. Please don’t do this.”

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