Page 81 of The Replay

"Get the fuck over here," I growl.

And we jump to each other's arms.

We kiss at the same time. Her lips on mine bring on an explosion where my heart should be, making it disappear. I'm moved in place, like the rain is a watercourse and we're caught in a current. We're in the rapids, taken by a force I can't fight. All I can do is try to keep my head above water, and hope not to drown.

I may be a fool, but I've never been a weak man. It seems Mariana Sinclair is the exception.

I can't find it in me to care, when this kiss makes me feel strong again.

Chapter 26

Dom

We kiss up the elevator. At her door. On the way to her room.

I don't notice anything about the building, or her apartment, or her bedroom. All I can see is her.

Mariana's hooded eyes. Mariana's parted, swollen lips. Mariana's wild hair, which I push back so I can gaze at her face.

"This is temporary," I say.

"We're busy." She takes off my sweater. "Us— This— It's efficient."

I strip her off her cardigan, her top. "It's so good between us. Still. Despite everything."

So much so, I'm going against everything I've promised since before we met again.

She takes off my undershirt. "I thought you'd hate it that I called it efficient."

"Oh, I'm going to hate it." I unbutton her pants, then mine. "Tomorrow."

"But this is an arrangement." She gets rid of my jeans. "We know that, right? We both have needs, we're both focused on our jobs at the moment, and we know how good sex is between us."

We climb into the bed wearing only underwear. Me between her legs, and her hands on my chest.

"I know." I grab at the soft flesh of her waist and up her ribcage. "We can meet each other's needs for a short while. Just some fun while we focus on our goals for the season."

"The season?"

"Or less. It's fine. I know this will end. You can use me."

Maybe this will be the thing to finally help me let go. Just like years ago, she's telling me this will end. I know better this time— I believe her. I know it. The memories ring in my marrow. So if this time I can be at peace with it and have it end without regrets, without a fight, I'll get what I've wanted this whole time.

This is my chance to write a different ending to us.

"You'll be using me too," she says.

"That's what makes this fair…"

I pull down at the cup of her bra, and I lose my words at what I find. Surprise travels right down to my cock, and I lick my lips in anticipation. To make sure what I'm working with, I pull down the other cup too.

Yeah. Nipple rings. Golden circles wrapping around them and keeping them erect, each with a single tiny heart hanging from them.

I die. My finger doesn't quite tremble as I pass a fingertip gently over the tip, but it could. I'm shaking inside at the sight. This. Missing this is bringing me back to her. For now.

She sighs, and it mirrors the tremor I feel.

I make a soft circle with my pad. "When did you get these?"