Page 76 of Redemption

Releasing her, he turns her body to face him, but she refuses to look at him. “What?”

“This, between us. Because of what’s happening between Colt and Lex, you think you made a mistake, but you didn’t. I did. Your decision was well-founded, and I know you think you want this. I know your body wants this,” she says, and he feels the strain of his zipper with the desire he hasn’t felt in a long time for her, “but after it’s all said and done, you’ll leave me again. I can’t do it. I just can’t do it.”

He watches her look away as the sobs shake her entire body, and his chest hurts. Aside from Noah dying, she’s always been the strong one out of the two of them. She’s held him together when he thought he would break. Hell, being an ex-old lady isn’t easy, but she’s done it with grace and humility.

“Look at me.”

Her eyes reluctantly look into his, and he reaches out to wipe the tears with his thumbs as he cups her face. “What?”

“I know what Colt’s feeling. And I know it’s easier to blame Lex than it is to look at what he did to cause the shitstorm he calls his life now, but he did what I wasn’t capable of until now.”

“What’s that?”

“He realizes his blame in the situation. That his actions have consequences, and now he’s paying the price.”

Karmen lets out a shaky breath and looks away. “I’m familiar with paying the price for your actions.”

“My pride got in the way of admitting I was wrong. I’m at fault for Noah’s death, but by the time I realized it, it was too late. At least I thought it was too late.”

“What are you trying to say?” The desperation in her voice quickens his breathing.

He looks into her eyes, hoping she sees the sincerity he feels. Emotions aren’t exactly his thing. “I don’t want to leave you alone. I want to come home. Please, let me come home.”

Her lips find his, and he pulls her flush against his body. His tongue slides into her mouth, her tears making her the perfect mix of sweet and salty. He’s spent many nights with women in the club trying to forget everything, but no one has ever been her. No one will ever be, and he fooled himself into thinking he wasn’t just a shell of his former self without her.

Pulling apart, he turns her back around to face the counter, and her hands brace herself as he slides one hand up her shirt while his other slides down into her jeans to toy with the curly hair she never used to have. She wasn’t lying – she hasn’t been with anyone.

Her back arches, pressing her tit hard against his palm, and she gives no resistance. His fingers work her nipple and her clit, and she reaches her left hand back to tug on his hair.

“Let go for me, baby,” he murmurs into her neck, his lips sucking and licking her soft skin.

“TK,” she moans.

Sliding his hand further into her panties, he slips two fingers into her slick heat and grinds his palm against her sensitive nub. “I want to feel you fall apart on my hand.”

“Fuck!” Her body shakes, and he pulls her tight against him. His need presses painfully against his jeans and her backside, and he can’t remember ever wanting her this much. It’s been so damn long.

Releasing her, he lets her turn around to face him, her cheeks flushing even more when he sucks her juices off his fingers. “You still taste the same.”

Her hooded eyes stare at him, mesmerized with every move he makes.

“I need you, Karmen.”

“Just let me run and shower. I only need fifteen minutes.”

She turns to walk away, and he grabs her wrist to stop her. “Don’t you dare.”

“Excuse me?”

Reaching down, he unbuttons her jeans and slides them down. “I need you. Now.”

“Are you sure?”

“I plan to have you every night for the rest of our lives,” he says and releases himself from his own pants, finally feeling relief from the constricting fabric.

Karmen falls to her knees and takes him into her mouth. She remembers exactly what he likes, and her hands fondle his balls while she takes him deep into her throat. No one suppresses their gag reflex quite like she does, and he almost loses all control.

“Stop,” he grunts. “Not like this.”

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