I crawl up her body, leaving kisses the entire way. I relish in the warmth of her skin and the way her pulse races with her breath. “That was amazing.” I brush my lips against hers for a sweet kiss.
“I think that’s my line,” she murmurs against my lips. Wrapping her arms around my body, she tugs me down for another kiss that goes from soft and sweet to hard and demanding before she even catches her breath.
I’m so amped up right now. Like a high from playing a packed house, or writing a new song. My erection strains against my boxers, fighting to get in on the action, and I rock my hips against her center, seeking relief.
Not wanting to assume we’re going all the way but needing to address the topic, I pull back and wait for her gaze to collide with mine. “I have a condom in my wallet, but we don’t have to—.”
“Yes.” She cuts me off. “I want to. That is, if you do?”
“Oh, fuck yeah.” I chuckle wryly, then tear myself away from her body to grab the rubber before I’m tempted to move things forward without it. Standing from the bed, I shuck my boxers and suit up while she ditches her bra. Completely naked, she lies back onto the bed and smiles. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, or this moment, but I’m struck with how precious it is.
It’s as if time stops. The outside world ceases to exist. All that matters is right here in this room.
I can’t imagine how I’m gonna get in the van and drive away after tonight. Not after I’ve been inside her. What is this girl doing to me?
Swallowing back the emotion and my conflicting thoughts, I climb back onto the bed and crawl over her body. Her soft curves beckon me. So does her shy smile. Nothing about Simone is fake or insincere. I kiss her, making a silent promise to never forget this gift she’s giving.
Her fingers slide down my chest to my erection, and she guides me to her center. I already know she’s wet and ready, but still I go slow, easing myself in with lazy, shallow thrusts.
“Wild.” She bucks her hips up to meet me on the next thrust. “Don’t go easy. I won’t break.”
Her words snap my control. I stop thinking and let go, enjoying the sensations of her body. Her heat squeezing my cock. Her breath against my ear. Our skin slick with sweat coming together. I move faster, pump my hips harder, pulling moans and cries of pleasure from her lips. There’s an irrational need to claim her. Own her pleasure and completely eradicate the memory of any other man she’s been with. I sure as hell have forgotten all other women.
Desire builds with each thrust. Together we find a rhythm, better than any guitar riff. My orgasm threatens to explode, even as I ward it off. Her body fits with mine as if we’re made for each other. I get lost. Her body. Her touch. Just her.
A groan leaves my lips. Her name. A few expletives too. I’m not even in control as my balls tighten and my release fills the condom. Usually I pull out. Just as a precaution, but I don’t, instead coming with my cock deep inside her.
She holds me to her. Taking it all. Kissing along my neck. Welcoming me home. I swear I see stars. That’s how intense my orgasm is, and even now, seconds after, when my pulse becomes regular, I can barely speak. Rolling to my back so I don’t crush her, I stare up at the ceiling. A heaviness settles on my chest. Not regret. No. It’s fear.
I’m afraid to say or do anything that’ll make this night end. It’s completely illogical. Time will pass even if I don’t want it to. Once I leave this room, I’ll never get this moment back again. The thought is crushing. Selfish as it is, I hope she feels it too.
“Stay a little longer,” Simone whispers, even though we’re the only two people in her apartment. It’s the only clue she gives to her own feelings, and I hold on to it, treasuring everything I can.
• • •
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
My eyes squint against the bright light. Where am I? It’s the first thought that hits as I wonder who the hell set their alarm in the van. But no, I’m too comfortable. The plush bedding wrapped around my body is much nicer than what we haul from city to city.
A groan next to me, feminine and sleepy, snaps my mind into focus.
I’m in Simone’s bed.
We had mind-blowing sex.
She asked me to stay.
I fell asleep holding her in my arms.
Fuck, now I have to go. “Shit,” I swear and sit up, my eyes scanning the room for the clock. It’s five till eight. “Shit.” I don’t have time for a proper good-bye. Or anything really. The guys will be waiting, and sending out a search party if I don’t show soon. I frantically press the buttons on her alarm clock to make it stop wailing, then pick my clothes from the mess on the floor.
Simone sits up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What time is it?”
“Eight.” I tug up my boxers and jeans. Where the hell is my shirt? I’m late. Fuck. This is not how I envisioned this morning going. “I have to go.”
“Yeah.” She pulls the covers over her body. “Sure.”
“We have a show in Sacramento tomorrow.” I pick through the clothes on her floor, finding my socks and shoes. “I wish I could stay.” Bingo. There’s my shirt.
“I wish that too.” Her words make me pause, even with the racing clock.
“Thank you. For last night. It was—” Mind blowing. Soul shattering. Everything.
“Yeah.” She smiles, her eyes darting to the floor. “It was.”
“You’ll come see our next show? When we’re back in town?” Fuck. I don’t even know when that will be. We’re headed up the coast, and back to Seattle next week.
“I’d love that.” She smiles but it doesn’t quite brighten her face. Not like last night.
“Can I get your number?”
“Yeah.” Her smile widens and she tugs the blanket snug around her body before reaching over to the stack of books on her nightstand.
I pull on my boots and lace them up enough so I won’t trip on my walk back to the venue.
“Here you go.” She hands me a receipt.
On the back side of the small paper are ten digits I intend on memorizing by the next time we meet. I fold it and tuck it into my pocket. “Thanks.” Shit. I hate this. Why does it hurt so much to walk away from this woman? We’ve known each other for less than twenty-four hours. I’ve had hook-ups before. They’re fun, and the good-byes are easy. Not like this.
“I guess this is see you later.” I sit on the edge of the bed. Needing to touch her once more, I cup her jaw and tilt her gaze up to mine.
Her eyes shine, as though she’s holding back tears. “Not good-bye?”
I hope not. “How about, until we meet again?” I lean down to rest my forehead against hers.
“I like that.” She presses her lips to mine, stealing a sweet kiss. “Later, Wild.”
“Later, Simone.” I give her one last look then walk away, forcing my feet to move, even though everything in my body says to stay. Panic claws up my throat and my gut twists. I pray to God I’m not turning my back on the best thing to happen to me. But I have to go. This was only one night, and I’m not done chasing my dreams. I was born to make music. She’s got a degree to finish. There’s no future for us—not now. If it’s meant to be, we’ll find a way back to each other. I trust that the universe will make it happen. I hold on to that belief because it’s the only way I can walk away. Until then.