Page 64 of Examining the Bond

“Riann?” Skylar says, one of her hands rubbing my back. “Are you okay?”

Am I okay?

Such a loaded question…

I can smile at her and tell her it’s fine, that this was a fling, that we just had some good sex—fucking fantastic sex—and that maybe we’ll see each other if I come back for more tests.

But I can’t lie to myself, and I can’t lie to her either.

I came here to do what I needed to do; I know what’s wrong with me, and I’ve been given a solution to my problem. She’s standing right in front of me with her arms wrapped around me, feeling like everything I’ve ever wanted.

I don’t want to leave.

I don’t want to get on that plane filled with regrets.

But I also don’t want to ruin our last night together before it’s even started.

“Talk to me,” she says, her voice almost a purr.

I pull back to look up at her and my eyes burn more. I blink and a tear slips down my cheek, but she brushes it away.

“It's okay,” she says. “I'm here. Just tell me what you need.”

I swallow over the emotion in my throat. “Make me forget, Skylar. Help me forget I have to leave.”

One second, I’m in Skylar's arms, relieved to finally touch her again. The next, she grabs me by the thighs and lifts me off the ground. My legs lock around her instinctively, my arms wrapping around her neck.

“Anything for you, preciosa,” she growls as her fingers squeeze me tighter. She leans in to brush her lips over mine, feather-soft. “Let me make you feel good.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

SKYLAR

Riann is so perfect in my arms, warm and soft in all the best places. The way she clings to me, her legs locked around my waist, makes me never want to let her go.

She nuzzles into the crook of my neck, her lips grazing my skin, making me shiver. Her perfume hangs in the air, sticky-sweet and glued to me, and I gulp down as much as I can.

“I missed you,” I murmur before I can stop myself.

Normally, I don’t like being clingy or needy, but with this woman I’m afraid that’s a lost cause. There’s no denying how badly I want her, and the fact that she’s leaving so soon sinks through me like a knife.

I don’t know if I can let her go.

Riann makes a little noise of pleasure as she tightens her grip, squeezing her body closer to mine. Even through my hoodie, I can feel the hardened points of her nipples pressingagainst me. Her tongue dances up the side of my neck before she nibbles at my earlobe, drawing a moan from my lips.

We’re only a few feet from the bed, but I’m already debating ripping her clothes off right here.

More sticky sweet marshmallow swells around us, invading my sinuses, making my thoughts swirl. Thank fuck the rut blockers have worn off. I want to be completely lucid when I worship her body and make her come more times than she can count.

“I missed you too,” she says before planting her mouth against the side of my neck and sucking. My knees nearly buckle, but I manage to keep us upright.

Hickies aren’t normally my style, especially considering the dress code at work, but fuck if I don’t want her to mark every inch of me.

I force myself to move. It’s only five steps, but it feels like a mile before my legs bump against the edge of the bed, and I crawl onto the mattress one knee at a time. Laying her down gently, I settle between her thighs, electric sparks skittering over my skin as her fingers dance over my abs.

Fuck, I want her on me and around me and in me.

I don’t know why I didn’t just show up naked; it would have saved me a lot of time.