Page 80 of Love at First Ride
When it’s over, neither of us moves, the only sound in the room our mutual, ragged breaths.
I clamber off him, trying but failing to look sexy, not entirely sure what to do with myself once I’m uncoupled from him. AJ gets out of the bed and wordlessly goes to the bathroom to deal with the condom, closing the door behind him.
I’m still on the bed. If I’m honest, I’m a little stunned, and a tiny bit sore. Now that we’ve finished having sex, my awareness of being naked is heightened. I debate whether to get back onto the bed or get under the covers. Do I lie here with no clothes on?
In the end, self-consciousness dictates I don’t get dressed, but climb underneath the floral comforter, grab the pillows and put them back at the head of the bed.
While I wait, it occurs to me that, despite being late at night, AJ Callahan might feel he’s done me a favor and want to leave.
So, I grip the cotton material of the comforter, hold my breath, and anxiously await his return.
Chapter Twenty
AJ
I close the door to the bathroom behind me on purpose. I remove the condom, tie it off and wrap it in some toilet paper, then toss it in the metal trash can. That kind of stuff I can handle her seeing.
What I can’t handle is Hollie Palmer seeing me grip the edge of the washbasin and bow my head, because I need a minute to contemplate what the fuck just took place.
Sex with Hollie wasn’t supposed to be that good. It was better than good, and light-years better than I imagined. Mind. Fucking. Blowing.
I thought she’d be shy. But she grew in confidence, and she gave herself to me. Watching her ride me naked is about the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
I glance at the back of the door. Usually, I’d have vacated the premises by now, faster than you can sayadios.
So, why is it this time I wanna stick around? Spend the whole night with Hollie Palmer in her apartment. Bury my face between her legs again and make her cry out my name when she comes.
Once I’ve composed myself, I open the door. She’s in bed, covered by the blankets. She’s looks lowkey nervous at the sight of me butt naked and I wonder if she’s put some clothes back on under there. I’m pleasantly surprised when I crawl under the covers to find that she’s as naked as I am.
I lie down and she rolls into my side. I cradle her with one arm as she lays her head against my chest.
‘What happened at your meeting?’ Hollie asks, and I’m relieved, as I don’t wanna get drawn into any emotional conversation that girls seem to dig.
I brush my fingertips up and down her back. ‘Same old. Echo unwilling to back down. Wants to carry on with the system of giving out wristbands… you know. Turning Rapture into a place where the college kids can let loose and pretend like they’re bein’ rebellious or something, then put it all out on social media. Wants to increase the number of nights kids can come out to Rapture and live it up.’
Hollie’s voice goes quiet. ‘That’s not going to go down well.’
‘It’s his way of sticking two fingers up at your stepmom and the county sheriff. He figures they can’t shut it down every time.’
‘She paid me a visit today. Evelyn. Told me I’m never to go to Rapture ever again.’
I shift my position, moving down the bed, so I can look Hollie in the face. ‘You’re kidding.’
‘I mean, I don’t plan on obeying her rules or anything. Even if…’
I know there’s something she’s ain’t telling me. ‘Even if what?’
It’s her turn to trace her fingertips down my arm. ‘Evelyn and my dad want me to move out of this apartment so they can rent it out. They want me to move back in with them for a while. My dad thinks I should go back to England. Get a real job.’
‘Is that what you want?’
She shakes her head. ‘No. I like it here.’
I shift my position. ‘Can we talk about the guy? The one in England who was sending you emails?’
She pulls back a fraction. ‘You want to talk about thatnow? When we just—’
I flash her a grin. ‘Sure. I gotta check out the competition. Does he still write you?’
