Chapter Two

· zach ·

Take her home? What had just happened? It wasn’t an appeal, it was a demand. It meant more than a simple request to drop her off at her place. My chest constricted as I imagined her sinewy body beneath mine. I told myself I’d escort her to the condo and leave. I had to. She wasn’t a one-night stand. She wasn’t some friend with benefits, though I wanted her to be.

Drunk. She was drunk. We’d consumed more than half a bottle of alcohol. I held onto her as she swayed. We made our way outside and hailed a cab. It was late, snow had begun to fall, and tomorrow we’d all see each other at our family home. The idea of her seeing me as anything more than her friend and protector was my imagination playing tricks on me.

We arrived at her building five minutes later, and she opened the cab door, waiting for me to exit. “I’ll make sure you get in from here, and then I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said. There was no way I was getting out of the car.

Her shoulders slumped, and she sighed. “Zach, get the fuck out of there and walk me inside.”

I hesitated a second but followed her in—just to make sure she was safe. Yeah, for that, and only that. It had been a while since I’d last seen the condo Evan had gifted to her when he upgraded buildings. It was small, but enough for one person. The entrance led to a large room where the kitchen could see into the living area. It was divided into sections for an office and a place to watch television. She was a minimalist by nature, but a lot of the décor I’d seen previously was gone. I wondered if her ex had taken everything when he left her.

She shrugged off her coat in silence and tossed it onto the couch, then placed her keys and purse on the table near the door. I stayed still, but my heart raced, and my hands balled into fists. I knew what she wanted. Fuck, I wanted it, too, but I had to choose what was right.

The turn of her body toward mine brought us into closer proximity, and when she stared into my eyes, my restraint left. I’d have her tonight. I needed to have her. Just one time. She pulled at my coat, tugging it off my shoulders. The fabric swished as it fell to the floor, and the sound of her breaths deepened.

I hovered near her but did nothing. Her mouth progressed, her pink tongue licked at my bottom lip, and she moaned. I was on fire. The desire was an inferno, out of control, a yearning for more. I buried my hand in her hair and tugged her head back. Her face radiated lust.

“You sure about this?” I growled, waiting for her response.

“I’ve waited a long time.”

With those words, I lost all my resolve. “Fuck it.” I closed the space between us, and my mouth overtook hers. The kiss was deep, needy. I was hungry. My hands swept over her back and pulled her in close. Her chest pressed against mine, and I lost my inner battle to go gentle on her. I pushed her against the wall, my mouth sucking on her pulse point as her hands groped my back.

Her mouth made sweet sounds, and my dick was so fucking hard, I was sure it’d pop my zipper. I clasped her wrists and drew her arms off me. My body pulled away from hers, and I studied the way her cheeks were flushed.

“Why’d you stop?” she pouted.

My eyes took her in from head to toe. “Take off your clothes.”

A half chuckle tried to make its way out of her throat but she stopped it when she saw my unyielding expression. “Here?”

“Do you want me to fuck you, Hilary?”

“Yes, dammit,” she growled.

“Then take off your clothes.”

Her breath shuddered as she nodded. Her fumbling hands unsnapped her jeans, and she removed each heeled boot before removing the denim. A tangle of black lace skimmed down her long, creamy legs next until all she had on was her shirt. She slowly popped open a button at a time, and when she parted the material, a nude bra covered the perfectly shaped tits I’d wanted to see since…I couldn’t remember. Okay, I could if my dick weren’t overtaking my brain.

She licked her lips as her fingers played over the clasp at the front of her lingerie. I reached over, drew her hands away, unhooked the bra in an instant, and let it fall down her arms. My hands rested on each side of her pert breasts, my thumbs playing with her nipples. Her head lolled back, and little moans escaped her mouth. She rested her head against the wall and arched into me.

“That feel good?” I asked, squeezing and then skimming my hands down her body. “As perfect as I thought you’d be,” I whispered to myself.

My lips made contact with her skin, and I kissed my way from sternum to belly. She was shaking, her breathing heavy as I kneeled in front of her, my hands resting on her hips. There was no vulnerability in her gaze, only wonder and curiosity. She seemed certain of this decision that could wreak havoc. I wanted to push away, stop the stupidity of our actions, but spreading her legs before me dispelled all my hesitation.

I faced the most intimate part of her and smelled her arousal. My tongue dove inside, as my hands tugged her closer and she sustained her balance against the wall. She hitched her leg up onto my shoulder, and her fingers dug into my hair, urging me to go deeper. She tasted so good, like heaven and rainbows and whatever other shit that made the world a fucking magical place. And those moans that escaped her mouth were for me and me alone.

She was almost there, but I backed away, and a gasp released from her throat. “Zach, I was ready,” she grumbled.

Hearing her say my name almost made me continue, but I stood and tugged her forward, taking her mouth instead. I let her taste herself on my tongue as it tangled with hers. I couldn’t treat her like any other woman, fucking her fast to satiate a need then walking away. No, I would treat her like a queen. I’d draw out every second I could before she broke into a million pieces. Even in a drunken haze, she’d remember tonight, if not in mind, at least in body. She pulled back and reached for my shirt, ready to rip it off. I pushed her hands away and snapped at her, “Not yet. Bedroom.” The harshness of my tone couldn’t be controlled, she had me undone.

She swayed her hips as she led the way with assurance, making me crazy with lust. She sat on the edge of the bed, crossed her legs, and leaned back, her weight on her palms. “You’ve got me hot, bothered, and completely displayed, Zachary. I trust you’ll let me do the same to you?”

I stood in front of her, looking down at the determined woman who made me senseless. She reached for the belt on my jeans, but I held her wrist until she saw me. “Lay back and spread your legs.”

Her eyes widened as she did as she was told, despite the slight defiance burning brightly in her eyes. That made my dick ache even more, and I could feel myself grasping for control. I hooked my hands under her knees and yanked her forward, pulling her round ass to the edge of the bed and splaying her wide open for me to admire. Before she said a word, my mouth was on her again, my tongue licking up her slit, moving up and down and half circling around her clit.

She wanted me to take her over the edge. Not gonna happen yet, sweetheart, I thought as her moans echoed off the walls. I switched up my tempo, gliding my tongue over her clit and then flicking it, making her lose her mind as she tugged at my shoulders. I would find a rhythm, keep with it, and then switch. It introduced an element of surprise and would lead to the buildup of the perfect orgasm.

I made sure to be careful in my moves, tapping lightly with my tongue, barely touching the most sensitive part of her while stroking gently on other areas. I moved faster, but only a bit, not wanting to overstimulate. Her back arched, and her hands tangled in my hair—she was close to the breaking point. My tongue accelerated into harder motions, directly pressing on her clit. No more teasing, just continuous movements. It finally caused her to tighten, collapse, and cry out my name as her body thrummed in full-on pleasure. It was the most beautiful fucking thing I’d ever seen.

I pulled out several foil packets from my wallet. I had to get a hold of myself, or I’d blow my load the moment I entered her. Hilary sat up, her moves quick as she began to remove my jeans. I tugged at my sweater and stood before her. She stared at my dick as I stroked myself.

“Well, it’s true what they say about big feet and hands, then, Collins.” She smiled. “At least, in your case.” Before she could put her mouth on my dick, I sheathed myself, and we climbed farther onto the bed. I wouldn’t let her suck me off. Not tonight.

My body hovered over hers, and she reached down, guiding me to her entrance. I nudged and took my time before sinking into her. She was so wet, so damn tight; I knew it had been a long time since she’d been with anyone.

“God, you feel good.” I shuddered. Her long legs wrapped around my waist, and she pushed up against me.

“Go fast, don’t be gentle,” she growled in my ear and nipped my lobe. It caused a frenzy within me, and I began to thrust. My pace quickened, our bodies tuned in to one another like a symphony being conducted and performed in perfect time. Our rhythm was synchronized like a metronome.

Her breathing was labored, but she was quiet, no sound coming from her. I watched as her brow furrowed, her eyes open. Had nerves seeped through? Did she regret this? “Hey, you okay?”

She nodded, a slight whimper leaving her lips. When I bent down to kiss them, she clutched around me, her mouth spilling moans of pleasure as she pulsed around my dick. Her face was stunning as it fell. The base of my spine tightened, and my whole body went rigid as I pumped into her and saw violent flashes of light behind my closed eyes.

I groaned as everything I had spilled out of me. It was as if the emotions I’d locked away escaped, too. I hadn’t come that hard in my entire life, and the fact that this woman brought me to that was unexpected. My body was completely devoid of energy, and I dropped all my weight on top of her.

We caught our breath, then I slowly withdrew and laid beside her before I squished her to death. I quickly disposed of the condom in her wastebasket near the bed and sighed. I didn’t want to think about tomorrow. I was drowsy but felt a strange sense of comfort as her head rested on my shoulder.

“That was incredible,” she said softly, pressing a kiss on my chest.

It was. I said nothing though as my fingers tangled in her hair. We shifted to get under her comforter. I kissed her forehead, and we drifted off to sleep, drunk on each other.

The morning came swiftly. Light spilled through the open curtains and smacked me in the face. I squinted and turned on my side, sinking my head into the pillow. My apartment was typically pitch black. Memories from the night before crashed through me. I opened my eyes and took in the beauty beside me. Her blond hair was splayed across the pillow, the waves like sunshine, sunflowers, and happiness. Her eyelashes fluttered. Her breathing was steady, and a soft smile played on her lips. I wondered if she was dreaming. A breast peeked out of the covers, and I wanted to touch her all over again, feel her silky skin against my rough, calloused hands. I wanted to sink into her as I had last night, this time with daylight raining over our bodies. However, regret was hot on my heels.

I quietly stood and tugged my jeans on. Hilary groaned, opened her eyes, and stretched. “Morning,” she croaked.

I couldn’t look at her as I picked up my sweater and pulled it over my head. I had to get out. The room was stifling, and I couldn’t breathe. I peeked through the window and saw that a blanket of snow covered the sidewalks. Hailing a cab would be difficult. I’d walk, run, leap to a bus stop, to the T, whatever transportation could get me away from her quickly before I devoured her again.

“Where are you going?”

I kneeled, lifted the bed skirt, searched for my left shoe, found it, then rummaged for my right one. I fumbled for what to tell this beautiful yet young creature that would inevitably be heartbroken by the actions of a complete shithead. I wasn’t a commitment guy. I just wasn’t. I kept reminding myself of that.

“Zach?” I shoved each shoe on. I heard the bed covers ruffle. “What is it?”

I finally looked at her and took in her mussed state from last night. Messy hair, swollen lips, sheet pooled at her waist. She was perfect, and my heart felt like it was ripping in two. I sat on the edge of the bed beside her, leaned forward, and clasping the back of her neck, gave her a deep kiss that I’d remember for the rest of my life.

“Hil, this can’t ever happen again.”

A tiny sound escaped from her mouth, and a look of sadness glazed her eyes. I moved away before I caught more of her disappointed expression. “But why?”

I paused at the doorway, half looking back, unable to face her fully. I wouldn’t leave if I did. “I’ll see you at Mom’s.”

Then, I walked out on her. I left her alone. I’d had the best sex of my life, and was letting her go because I was no fucking prince and I couldn’t save her. I was the dragon, and I would not only destroy her life but my family’s lives, as well.