“Open your eyes,” he commanded.

Finally, I opened.

It was like seeing perfection for the first time. Demetri on top of me in all his godlike glory, smiling, our bodies almost joined.

One push.

My eyes rolled into the back of my head.

“Stay with me, Lyss,” he said softly.

I opened my eyes again, focusing on him, on the sensations only he could bring out of me as he pushed further.

I bit my lip.

With a wince, he went all the way.

I let out a little yelp and then felt nothing but pleasure as he leaned over and took my mouth with a hunger I’d never seen or experienced before. There were too many sensations all at once: us together, Demetri’s mouth, our bodies moving, the wonderful friction of lovemaking — all of it was almost too much.

And then it became more.

Everything I could have possibly imagined happened in that moment.

Our eyes locked.

Demetri moaned. “Baby… just let go.”

“But---”

His lips found my mouth again as he whispered against me. “Let go.”

So I did.

It was like jumping off the scariest cliff into the most blissful ocean I’d ever seen or felt.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Demetri

HOLY SHIT, I WAS dying.

Dying a slow, agonizingly wonderful death, and, if asked for a repeat, I’d do it all over, again and again.

“Let go,” I said, seeing her fear, feeling her muscles around me constrict as if holding on for dear life. Damn, I was ready to lose it. She felt too good, so good I wanted to be joined with her forever.

The trust in her eyes was staggering.

The pleasure overwhelming.

And then I felt it.

The moment she fully jumped, fully trusted me and found her release. Humbling to say the least, but impossible to fully enjoy, considering I was lost in my own sensations.

I’d followed her off the ledge.

My entire body shuddered with ecstasy.

“Hey,” I said hoarsely. “I missed a spot.”

Alyssa let out a little giggle as I licked behind her ear. “That was… different.”

I reared back. “Say what?”

“Wonderful different.” Her cheeks went all pink. “I was so nervous, and it was so…”

“What was your favorite part? Halftime? Or game-winning dunk?”

She burst out laughing. “Both?”

“Hmm, I’ll put in some more timeouts next time. You know, to give you a break so you don’t explode on the spot.”

“I don’t want breaks.”

“No?” My body responded immediately. “You more of a marathon-type of girl?”

“I think so.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and tugged me closer. “You up for the challenge, Dem?”

“I think it’s clear…” I coughed. “…that I’m up for anything… with you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Wes

“I THINK YOU’LL LIKE it here.” I threw a rock into the ocean then shoved my hands into my pockets. “It’s a lot like Seattle, lots of rain.”

Gabe laughed. “Right, that’s what I miss. The rain.”

“Whatever.” I shook my head and grinned. “Plus, it’s close so Lisa and Tristan can visit.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “When they actually return our phone calls. Longest honeymoon I’ve ever witnessed.”

“Hey, he wanted her to see the world.”

“Then buy her a freaking globe.”

“You can’t protect her forever.” I fought the urge to laugh. Gabe would be ninety and still trying to make sure that Lisa was in bed before ten.

He swore and kicked at the sand. “Yeah, yeah… at least I’m jumping back on tour with two guys I actually like… and it’s not like it will be a really long leg, only a few weeks.”

“And you can take Saylor.”

“She can’t wait.”

“So it all worked out,” I added.

Gabe didn’t say anything. His eyes focused in on the water. “You ever think about it?”

“About what?” I crossed my arms.

“Dying still. The what if?”

I sighed. “How could I not? I think every time something good happens in my life that death is right there taunting me, making me rethink things, trying to steal my joy or make me feel guilty for having it.”

“Guilt…” Gabe let out a heavy breath. “I think that’s what it is. I feel guilty for being successful again, guilty that she died and I get fame, fortune. I don’t know, somehow it seems wrong, like I should still be suffering.”

I knew that feeling well. Hell, I knew I wasn’t perfect. As much as Gabe joked about my sainthood and everything, fears were still real, but it wasn’t about ignoring the fear altogether. At least in my mind, it was about the choice you make when you have to face it.

“Gabe…” I put my hand on his shoulder. “…guilt is like fear. It’s going to be there, but you can’t let it affect the way you live your life. The minute you give it power it grows. Don’t feed it by dwelling on it. Instead, develop on the good that came out of the scary thing. So death is terrifying. Hell, life is terrifying, but the good is really good, don’t you think?”

The girls’ laughter echoed toward us.

I turned around just in time for Kiersten to launch herself into my arms and kiss me across the mouth. “Miss me?”