CHAPTER 18

EMERY

When I woke up in Estelle’s bed with her naked body snuggled against mine, I couldn’t find the motivation to get up. Leaving her bed before the sun came up had gotten harder every time.

Last night, instead of sneaking back to the RV, I made the conscious decision to stay.

We didn’t even have sex after we got back from Windsor Lakes. We channel surfed until stopping on a bad infomercial, but paid no attention to the TV. I had no idea it was possible to talk about literally nothing for hours, but that was what we did. With Bobby in my lap and Alice curled up with Estelle, we laughed about random things, our conversation veering from one insignificant topic to the next.

After taking a shower together, we collapsed onto the bed, both naked and exhausted. I’d managed a soft kiss to Estelle’s forehead before my eyes closed.

And now I had this amazing woman in my arms, and I didn’t want to let go.

I couldn’t let go.

I never should’ve assumed I could do casual with Estelle. Somewhere along the line, she became mine.

Mine.

But given her reaction to my candor last night, it was safe to say she might not feel the same. Maybe she was just scared. Hell, I was scared too, but I wanted her in my life.

This wasn’t temporary for me. Not anymore.

I wasn’t sure how we were going to make it work, but we could discuss it later. Today, I just wanted to pretend we had all the time in the world.

As early morning light filtered through the curtains, I did something I’d never done before: I called in sick.

Lovesick counted as an illness, right? It had to be legit, because the way I felt was downright disturbing. Every time I thought about my numbered days with Estelle, my stomach felt like it was in knots.

I sent a text to Steve.

Me: I’m not feeling well and I don’t think I’ll be able to film today.

Steve: Are you serious? How bad is it?

Me: Remember the food poisoning you got while we were working with the cat who wouldn’t stop eating clothes?

Steve: Good God, do I ever.

I could almost imagine his sour expression at the reminder of the time he and half the crew got lunch from a taco van in Arizona. They were out of commission for two days.

I wasn’t asking for much—all I wanted was twenty-four uninterrupted hours with Estelle.

Steve: I guess we’ll have to do as much as we can without you today. We can get more interviews done.

Shit.

Me: I think Estelle’s sick too. She and I ordered food from the same takeout place last night.

Steve: Damn it. We’re going to be set back a whole day.

Me: If I feel better this afternoon, I’ll try to do a couple follow-up visits with the adoptees.

The suggestion wasn’t a lie. Going to see Cindy at Nikki’s would make Estelle’s day, and I’d get to see my family. Win-win.

Steve: Okay. I’ll let everyone know.

Shifting, Estelle sighed. I wondered if my movements had woken her, but when I looked down, her eyes were still closed, those long lashes resting against her cheeks. Her breathing evened out before hitching again.

I set the phone back on the nightstand and held her tighter.

She let out a quiet moan, her hand clenching, digging her fingernails into my chest. Her hips jerked slightly, causing her soft pussy to rub against my thigh. Another whimper followed a gasp.

A sex dream? Fuck yes.

My morning wood became a raging hard-on. What was happening inside that pretty little head of hers? Was it me between her legs? I sure as shit hoped so.

“Emruffft.” She sighed. My name on her lips wasn’t fully formed. Close enough, though. It told me what I needed to know—she was dreaming about me.

Estelle’s thigh came up, crossing over the lower half of my body. Smooth skin caressed my balls.

“Fuck,” I whispered, my erection trapped between her leg and my stomach.

Estelle let out a long humming noise before climbing on top of me. Wild hair covered my chest and she buried her face by my neck.

As her breathing evened out again, every inhale made her body rock back and forth, and my dick grazed her slick entrance.

Fuuuuck.

She wiggled her hips and the tip slipped inside her heat.

That woke her up.

Although she didn’t lift her head, her body went rigid and her breaths came faster. I ran a hand down her back to let her know I was awake too. I was a little bit sad that our unexpected morning playtime had to end.

Only it didn’t end.

Instead of moving off me, she tilted her hips up then pushed down. She was so wet that I slid easily through her tight pussy until my dick was buried halfway inside.

The sensation was so intense, a string of whispered swear words left my mouth, but I had no idea what I was saying. I’d never been inside someone bare before, and it eclipsed every thought I had inside my brain.

I didn’t even realize I had shut my eyes until Estelle whispered, “Emery, look at me.”

I did as she said.

And seeing her hovering over me—hair mussed up from sleep, pupils dilated—made my heart thump.

Brushing the hair out of her face, I rubbed her cheek with my thumb and whispered, “Hey, beautiful. I see you.”

Her mouth dropped open and she blinked. “You’re still here.”

My lips quirked up. “We’re playing hooky today.”

“Really?” Smiling, she shifted slightly, causing the most unbelievable friction on my cock.

“Estelle.” I licked my lips and tried to form coherent words. “No condom.”

Biting her lip, she appeared conflicted. “I’ve never had sex without one. It feels different. Like, really-fucking-good different.”

“Yeah,” I grunted as she swiveled her hips, pushing me deeper. “So fucking good.”

“Your skin is so hot… so smooth.” Her walls clenched around me.

I gasped. “Shit. I don’t want to stop.”

She stilled. “Neither do I. I have an IUD. And I’m clean. You?”

I nodded.

“And—” Estelle hesitated, glancing away.

Placing my finger under her chin, I tilted her face toward me. “And what?”

“And we’re not with anyone else, right? We’re monogamous.” Her cheeks pinked. “For the time being, I mean.”

Maybe it was a good time to have that talk. The one where I told her she was mine and I was hers, end of discussion.

“Estelle, I don’t want anyone else,” I stated, my tone certain.

“Okay.” She gave me a naughty smile. Then she began to move, and any speech I could have prepared about all the ways we’d be good together flew out the window.

Letting out a long groan, my back bowed off the bed as my fingers dug into her hips.

I felt everything. Her heat, her slickness, her silky walls gliding over every inch of my dick. It was too much.

“Baby,” I rasped. “Oh, shit. You’re so fucking good.”

She kissed my neck. “Tell me when you’re gonna come, okay?”

Making a sound of agreement, I nodded.

It was the first time she’d ever been on top. I loved being the one in control, but this was awesome.

I let her ride me. Let her use my body. Her nipples grazed my chest as she ground herself on me, rubbing her clit on my pelvic bone.

I palmed fistfuls of her ass, completely lost in her.

So wet.

Hot.

Tight.

So fucking intimate.

I wanted this. Just her skin and mine. We were completely connected. From now on, I didn’t want any barriers between us.

Sitting up, Estelle’s arm went behind her and she lightly grabbed my balls. My hips jerked.

I pressed the heel of my palm to her clit. I needed her to get there. Now.

Estelle rocked faster until her body stiffened above me. Throwing her head back, she let out a strangled moan. Even as her orgasm subsided, she didn’t slow her pace and I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Now,” I grunted. “I’m gonna come.”

I was about to roll us over so I could pull out and come on her stomach, but she lifted off me. Quickly scooting down my body, she sucked my cock into her mouth.

My hand went to her hair and my hips bucked, fucking the inside of her warm mouth. I came with a shout as I watched her swallow my cum down.

Shocked, I gaped at her. Panting. Speechless.

“That was so much fun.” She sat up with a naughty grin, primly wiping at the corners of her mouth.

Holy fuck, she was dirty.

Calling in sick was one of the best decisions I’d made in a long time.