One touch and she detonated. She pulsed around me with wave after wave of pleasure, causing her body to quake. The squeeze of her inner walls and the sheer ecstasy on her face was too much. Tingles raced down my spine and my blinding orgasm broke.
We held tight to one another, grasping for just one more second together. Our bodies were slick with sweat and her ear was against my lips. The words I wanted to whisper begged to be free. I love you. I wanted to say them. I wanted her to know that she meant everything to me. But I swallowed them down because I wouldn’t make her deny them or repeat them. I wouldn’t give her anything to feel guilty about when she left.
Before I eased away and stood from the bed, I kissed the underside of her jaw, then her collarbone, stealing little tastes while I could. Then I left her on the bed while I went to the bathroom to deal with the condom.
Maybe tonight, if I could talk to her and get her to relax, I could find out where her head was at. I could find out what had happened and see if I could delay this for a couple more weeks. If I got really lucky, we’d get five feet of snow and she’d be stuck here until spring.
It might only delay the inevitable, but it might be my only chance to give her the time to change her mind. To decide on this ranch as a home.
On me.
I washed up and expected to find her in bed when I got back to the room. Instead, she was dressed. Her hair was twisted in a messy knot and she was on her knees beside the suitcase.
She wasn’t putting the clothes back in the dresser.
She was packing them to leave.
So much for one last night.
I swiped my jeans off the floor and jerked them on, leaving the belt hanging loose. Gemma held out my T-shirt and I ripped it from her hands before pulling it over my head. I couldn’t see my button-up in the mess, but I wasn’t going to stick around and search for it.
“When?” I barked.
“When what?” Her voice was calm and quiet.
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow, I guess.”
I scoffed and searched the mess on the floor for my socks. When I found them, I shoved them in my pocket and spun for the door without a word.
If she wasn’t staying, neither was I. Sleeping beside her for another night, having her curled into my side, would be torture.
I stalked to the door, taking my coat from the hook and not bothering to put it on while I stepped into my boots. My anger would be enough to keep me warm all the way home.
Gemma’s footsteps stomped on the floor as she came down the hallway. “So that’s it? You come here, fuck me and leave?”
“Are you kidding me? Fuck, you drive me insane.” I raked a hand through my hair. “You’re the one who’s hell-bent on racing out of here in the morning. What do you want from me?”
“You? What about me? What do you want from me?”
I want you to stay. More than anything, I wanted her to stay.
But I wasn’t going to beg. If she chose this life, if she chose me, she’d have to be sure. Because the minute she said yes, I’d hold on and never let go.
I wanted her to make her own choice.
“I’m not going to beg you to stay, Gemma.”
Something flashed in her eyes, but before I could make sense of it, she blinked it away. Then she reached past me to whip the door open, and with one hand pressed into my chest, she shoved me outside.
Right before she slammed the door in my face, I heard her whisper, “No one ever does.”
Chapter Fifteen
Gemma
“What else is happening?” I asked Benjamin.
“That’s it,” he said. “Everything is under control.”
“Okay. Good.”
I’d called him to check in, like I did every Friday morning. And per usual, there wasn’t much to report. Since I’d left Boston, Benjamin had done exactly what I’d asked. He’d taken over.
Each week, he had fewer questions for me to answer. Fewer tasks for me to complete. It should have made me feel good that I’d put such a competent and capable man in charge. Benjamin was caring for my investments and capital ventures like they were his own.
But I’d come to dread these Friday morning phone calls because they were another blunt reminder that I wasn’t really needed.
Not in Boston.
And not in Montana.
I’d leave the Greer Ranch today and though Annabeth would be disappointed that once again the front-desk position would be vacant, she’d eventually find my substitute. Katherine had other friends to hang out with. And Easton . . .
For the moment, I wasn’t ready to process the heartache of leaving Easton Greer. Of knowing he’d eventually find a better replacement. So I wouldn’t think about Easton, not today. I’d save that for my road trip.
“How are things in Montana?” Benjamin asked.
“Coming to an end. I’m leaving today.”
“O-oh. Really? I thought you were staying until Christmas.”
“Change of plan.” My stomach twisted. It had been in a constant knotted state since Easton had left last night.
I’d done my best to fight back tears, mostly by throwing myself into packing. Then I’d cleaned the cabin, tongue-and-groove ceiling to hardwood floor. Finally, I’d fallen asleep from sheer exhaustion—emotional and physical—and had woken up with the sunshine streaming through the cabin’s bedroom window.
It hadn’t taken me long to load up the Cadillac, though there was more in the trunk now than when I’d started this journey. I had the winter coat Easton had insisted upon along with the boots I’d used on our working Saturdays. And I had the plaid shirt he’d left behind last night, tucked safely inside my purse.
All that remained was to finish this call, stop by and say goodbye to Katherine, then get on the highway.
“Would you mind booking me a hotel room?” I asked.
“When and where?”
“I’ll find some motel along the road tonight, but I was hoping to get to San Francisco tomorrow and stay there for a few days.” I needed to build up some mental walls before venturing to Temecula. I wasn’t sure if I had the strength to stop by and visit my mother, but it was something I’d been considering.
“The usual amenities?” he asked, the sound of computer keys clicking in the background. He’d probably already pulled up a travel website.
“Please.” Benjamin knew I’d prefer a boutique hotel with a spa and five-star menu.
“Done. I’ll email you the details. Anything else?”
“No, thank you. I’ll check in later. Have a good week.”
“Gemma, wait. Before you hang up.”
My heart stopped. Please, please don’t quit. I couldn’t handle it right now. I couldn’t deal with leaving the Greer Ranch and having Benjamin leave me all in the same day. “Yeah?”
“Are you okay?” There was genuine concern in his voice, probably because mine sounded flat and lifeless.
“Sure. I’m great.”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line. No doubt he was debating whether or not it would be smart to call his boss on a blatant lie. Thankfully, he let it go. “Would you like company in San Francisco?”