I hadn’t wanted to let go of Ella’s hand in the car, but by sheer practicality, it had been necessary to start my truck. She was quiet as I drove through the falling darkness, my hand resting on her thigh with our pinkies hooked together.

Nothing could’ve stopped me from coming to pick her up tonight. Another run of messages from Lance had fired me up. I was furious with him, annoyed with the delays in getting him charged, or whatever the fuck they were going to do. As far as my feelings for Ella though, the more I worried about her and the effect it had on her, the more my heart twisted sharply with the knowledge of how much she meant to me and always had.

I’d boxed my feelings away for her because I’d thought I had no other choice. Now she was back, here to stay, and I’d be damned if I let this chance slip through my fingers again. I was also determined to wipe that haunted look out of her eyes for once and for all.

I rolled my truck to a stop in front of my house, glancing over to see Ella asleep. Though her pinky was still hooked through mine, her head was dipping down to her shoulder. I eased my hand free of hers and climbed quietly out of the truck. Bundling her into my arms, I moved carefully in the hopes that I didn’t wake her. I needn’t have worried. She was sound asleep, her breath coming soft and steady as I carried her up the stairs.

I stripped her down to her underwear, my cock reacting to the sight of her breasts and the flare of her hips. Not tonight. She was out like a light, and I’d be more than content to simply sleep beside her. Climbing into bed with her, I pulled her close against me and tumbled into sleep.

* * *

I came awake in the darkness. I had to piss like nobody’s business, but I didn’t want to move. At all. Not with Ella’s warm, lush body curled up against me. I sifted my fingers through her hair where her head rested on my shoulder, wishing I didn’t need to untangle myself. But nature called.

I moved slowly, sliding out from under her leg thrown over mine and easing her head on the pillow. Taking care of matters quickly, I returned to the bed. I was relieved when she instantly shifted, curling up against my side again. I glanced at the clock to see it was only three in the morning before I fell back into a deep sleep.

The next time I woke, it was to the feel of Ella’s hands traveling down over my abs and her lips following them. Though my mind was barely online, my body was in the thick of it. I groaned at the feel of her palm curling around my cock. I heard myself murmuring her name, my breath coming out on another groan as she dragged her tongue from the base of my cock to the tip.

Darkness had shifted to light, the silvery rays of the early sun angling through the windows just above the mountains. Ella was shrouded by the comforter, and I needed to see her. I slid it down, managing to lift my head just as she lifted hers. Her dark brown hair was a tousled mess, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes bright green with a hint of mischief in them.

“Good morning, Caleb,” she murmured, her tongue darting out for another swipe at my cock.

I meant to say something, but my words were lost in a groan when she swirled her tongue around the head of my cock, swiping up a drop of pre-cum. I meant to watch this, to enjoy the sight of it, but lust was lashing at me and sensation was barreling through me. When her eyes fell closed, and she leaned over, drawing me into the warm suction of her mouth, my head fell back against the pillows. I buried my hands in her hair and hung on as she proceeded to drive me completely wild.

She teased me with her tongue, her loose fist gripping my cock. Just when I thought she was going to give me more, she drew back again, her tongue sliding up and down each side of my cock and teasing my balls, which were drawn tight and on the edge of release the whole time.

I lost sight of everything, my focus narrowed to nothing but sensation. By the time she drew me back into her mouth, I was on the verge of exploding. But that wasn’t what I wanted. Not just yet. I snatched onto a thread of control, tightening my grip and groaning her name. Lifting my head took immense effort, but I managed it and was rewarded with the sight of her swiping her tongue along her lips.

“Come here,” I murmured.

She shook her head, a sly smile stretching across her face.

“Please.” I wasn’t above begging. “I need to be inside you,” I said bluntly.

She stared at me, the air nearly vibrating between us. After a moment, she rose up. “Okay. If that’s what you want,” she said, her voice husky.

Then, she was straddling me and easing down over me. She teased me some more, her wet pussy sliding back and forth over my cock. Much as I wanted to take the reins—as it was I was at the end of my tether—I sensed she wanted to hold onto the control now. Then, she was rising up, adjusting the angle of my cock and sheathing me. She took me into her, inch by devastating inch, until I was buried deep in the core of her—hot, wet, tight, and pulsing around me.