Beyond Me(20)
Author: Jennifer Probst

“Why are you telling me this?” My voice trembled. There was something greater growing between us; a seed that sprouted and would soon become Jack’s beanstalk with just a bit of care and tenderness. But how could such a connection happen in a day? Was that even possible? Or was I living in my own mirage, with no responsibilities and reality to intrude in perfection?

His eyes blazed. “So you know. You need to know who I am, what type of person you’re with. I’m not like you. I never will be like you. Do you understand?”

My hand shook around the glass. “You don’t know anything about me,” I whispered. “Don’t try to tell me what I can and can’t handle.”

He rose from the chair and clenched his fists. I swallowed as a rush of sexual energy punched the air. “You take care of people. Forgive them. You’re strong and real, and I don’t want you to forget it. But at the end of this week, you’re gonna get on that plane and walk away. Without me.”

My cheeks flamed. How dare he? “Don’t flatter yourself,” I said coldly. “I’m not a naive little virgin who’s going to beg to stay with you. I have a life back in Chicago, and just because we have great sex doesn’t mean I’ll drop everything to be your groupie. You’re a conceited ass**le if you think it does.”

He shut his eyes tight and seemed to struggle with something deeper. I waited, ready to walk away, ready to fight. His low voice stole my breath and my need to retreat. “That warning isn’t for you, little girl.” His eyes flew open and blazed hot and fierce. “It’s for me.”

Raw sexual energy swarmed between us. I knew he was admitting something he didn’t want to, and had no idea how to process. He was messing with my head, big time, and I was getting sick of it. “What the hell does that mean anyway?” I hissed.

Emotion tightened my throat at the look of his face. Pain. Frustration.

Vulnerability.

“Damn you,” he whispered. “Why’d you have to come here and f**k everything up?”

“Fuck you.” I spun on my heel with the intention of getting the hell away from him, but his fingers grasped my arm and yanked me back. He lifted me up. His gaze raked over my face, studying me so intently I felt stripped and naked.

“Don’t you get it?” His voice shook. “You’re too good for me, Quinn. Soon you’re going to see it and leave. And I’ll be the one left behind.”

Shock held me immobile, but he didn’t wait for me to process. He slammed his mouth over mine in a fierce kiss. His grip gentled and he hoisted me up. I groaned and opened my mouth to his thrusting tongue, wrapping my legs tight around his hips as he ripped off my robe. I speared my fingers into his hair and pulled hard, and with a rough curse, he walked me a few steps until my back slammed against the wall. Our mouths drank hungrily from each other, biting, sucking, like two animals crazed to mate, and he must’ve grabbed a condom from his pocket, because I was suddenly sinking on top of him and he filled me completely.

“Ahhh!” A cry ripped from my mouth. His c**k was huge and thick, piercing right through my body and filling it up, until there was no space or thought or safe place from him. He held my hips and roughly guided me up and down, my head scraping the wall, my teeth biting deep into my lower lip and drawing blood. The sensations cut and wracked through my body like knives shredding flesh, and the pleasure became so fierce it was almost pain. My pu**y clenched tight, and then I was coming, coming so hard and fast I thought I’d die with the agony of such release, and he was shouting my name and coming with me.

He didn’t let go, holding me tight, kissing me gently and caressing my cheeks, telling me I was beautiful and magnificent and that I was everything.

And I knew something had changed. A portal had opened within my soul, and it was all for him, for as long as he wanted me. And I knew I was stupid for thinking we could work out, but I didn’t care, so I held him tight and let him care for me, and pretended this was forever.

Chapter Twelve

Tuesday

I MADE my way into the dining room, trying hard to walk normally, even though my muscles ached. Of course, this workout was tons better than any treadmill, and I couldn’t wait to do it again. James had dropped me off at the hotel late last night, and we made plans to sightsee today.

I scanned the crowd for my tribe and spotted them in the back booth. Mac’s sunhat took up half the table with the elaborate brim, so I slid next to Cassie. Hmm, she looked tired, her gray eyes a bit too serious this morning, and not sporting the afterglow of someone who’d had great sex. Mac looked like her usual vivacious self. Maybe she scored with her hottie tattoo guy.

I wondered if my crew would notice I finally had an orgasm. I felt different. Did I look different? Oh God, I was so lame.

“You sure about that?” Mac asked.

I picked up the conversation and the menu. “Sure about what?”

“Cassie’s fallen in love,” Mac announced.

“Oh. Good for her.” Did I want an omelets or pancakes?

“No, not good! He has another girlfriend.”

“Bastard.” I turned to Cassie. “What are you doing messing around with a guy who belongs to someone else?”

“I’m not messing around with him! I can’t even get him to kiss me, let alone do anything more.” Oh. Well, I couldn’t get mad at her for that. “So, not a problem then.” Yep, definitely carbs this morning. I deserved them.

Mackenzie gave a long, dramatic sigh. “Problem. This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation. Nobody was supposed to fall in love.”

“I’m not in love!” Cassie hissed.

“I don’t think you can decide that kind of thing ahead of time,” I pointed out. “Especially not for someone else.” After all, I didn’t know what was going on with James, but I’d never experienced such a strong connection before. I was done judging other people. “I think I’ll have pancakes. With blueberries.”

“Do they have cheese grits here?” Mackenzie grabbed for the menu. “How about biscuits and gravy? And sweet tea?”

Grits. Yuck.

“This is the South. I wouldn’t be surprised,” Cassie said. “Just as long as there’s orange juice, I’ll be happy.”

“It’s Florida,” I said. “There’ll be orange juice.” I leaned back and got the rest of the dirty lowdown on Cassie and the guy she was attracted to but had a girlfriend. Damn, I wanted her to be able to enjoy herself and let go a little. We were alike, and found it harder to party and leave behind our worries. I urged her to find another guy to take his place, but she didn’t seem too thrilled with the promise. Maybe James had someone I could introduce her to. Nah, I didn’t care for his friends and wouldn’t trust them with Cassie. Especially since she seemed extra paranoid about going around with strangers, citing date rape and all sorts of scary things. I had to remind them all again of their pinky promises to watch our drinks carefully. When I was finally satisfied, I settled into blueberry-and-carb bliss.