Page 111 of His to Keep
“Come on, Princess. Get there,” I demand, reaching in front of her, knocking her hand out of the way so I can take over to strum her clit.
“I'm gonna...” She erupts, coming violently as I empty myself into her.
“Five,” I murmur as she falls slack against the mattress. “You did so good.” I kiss a path up her spine until I make it to the crook of her shoulder. “Next time we'll go for six.”
“I think you broke me,” she practically sobs.
“Nah, you're not broken. You're just strung out with pleasure.”
She nods.
“And now you're gonna let me take care of you. Let me clean you up and cuddle you.”
She nods again, her hair fanning out around her like a halo.
“I love you.” I kiss her neck one last time before pulling out of her.
“I love you too,” she says, her voice soft and sleepy.
THIRTY-TWO
SCARLET
The soundof thunder wakes me right before lightningcracks, illuminating the sky.I reach for Ellis, only to be met with an empty bed and cool sheets.
“Ellis?” I glance toward the bathroom, but the door is open and the lights are off. “Where in the heck is he?”
The wind whips outside as I throw off the covers, leaving the warmth and comfort of the bed to go in search of him.
Icallhis name again, but a boom of thunder drowns out my voice. The whimper that follows it, however, echoes like a gunshot through the house.
“Ellis!” I shout his name as I race out of the bedroom.
The sightI’mmet with in the living room nearly brings me to my knees.
My big, strong, selfless man ison the couchwith a blanket wrapped around his shoulders,hunched forward with his head between his knees. “You’resafe.You’resafe.You’resafe.”He murmurs the words over and over and over again, almost as if he’s in a trance.
“Ellis.” I keep my voice calm asI approach him.“Talk to me.”
“Scarlet?” He looks up at me, blinking rapidly, asifcoming out of a daze.
“I’m here,” I say as yet another boom of thunder shakes the house.He flinches and shoves his head back between his legs just in time foranotherflashlightning to light up the sky. “I’ve got you.”
I position myself between his legs, noting the way his whole-body tremors as I run my fingersthoughhis hair, trying to calm him. “How can I help you?”
“Just...” He wraps his arms around my legs,burying his face in my thighs. “Just hold me. Please.” His voice israw in a wayI’venever heard before—not small butdefinitely broken.
“For as long as you need,” I promise him. “But maybe let’s do this in a way we’re both comfy and secure?”
“Yeah, yes.Sorry.” He sucks in a shuddering breath as the storm continues raging outside, forcing himself to sit up straight.
I waste no time, climbing into his lap side saddle style, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Talk to me, Ellis. What’s going on?”
“Don’t like storms.” He mumbles the words againstthe top of my head.
“I gathered that.” I draw mindless patterns on the back of his neck.
A low rumble of thunder, the kinds thatseemsto go on forever,gives way to driving rain, causing Ellis to clench around me, his entire body strung tight like a bow.
