Page 118 of Bent Out of Shade
“Is that how we’re playing this?” He knocked my legs wider and gripped my hips.
“Wait,” I said. “We need lube.”
“We were fine a moment ago.”
“Yes, but I switched positions. Things change.” Sitting back on my calves, I waved a hand around my vagina. “This is its own microclimate.”
Laurent grabbed a bottle of lube from the bedside table and applied a generous amount to the condom. “Then we’ll have to do some geoengineering.”
“That’s a fine multisyllable word.” I swooned.
“Book learned, Mitzi. How quickly you forget.” He slapped my ass. “Back into position.”
“Aye aye.” I sighed as he entered me, our connection soul deep and perfect.
He bowed his body over mine to press a hot kiss to the back of my neck. His left hand on my hip flexed with each thrust, while he raked the fingers of his right down my spine.
I stroked my clit faster and faster, my cheek resting against his bed and my breasts brushing the mattress with each bounce. God, friction was a marvel.
A sigh of pure bliss escaped Laurent’s lips and that was it. My orgasm shattered me, Laurent coming soon after, and we collapsed on the bed.
He scooted over to kiss me, his hands tangled in my hair, and my fingers splayed against his chest. “Stay,” he barked.
I raised an eyebrow. “Care to rephrase that?”
He made this adorable, flustered motion. “English.”
I smiled. “You’re forgiven.” I paused. “I was scared you didn’t want to come back.”
“Why?”
It was suddenly very important to inspect the fitted sheet for tears. “Well, you called for Delphine a couple times and seemed to be talking to her in French.” I hazarded a glance at him.
He got a pensive look on his face. “I was. I saw her again. I didn’t realize I was speaking aloud.”
Last time he’d seen Delphine was during a hallucination while we were in the Human Race and it had done quite the head trip on him. He’d survived Kian’s attack and we’d made love, but was there still a part of him that wanted to die and be with his wife? “What did you say?” I flapped a hand. “Never mind. That’s personal.”
“No, it’s not because it involves you.”
“It does?” I clutched a pillow to my chest.
Laurent slung his leg over mine. “Back in the game, I was confused about what was real or what I wanted to be real, but this time, I was completely clear.” He rubbed his hand over his heart. “I needed Delphine to know that thanks to you, I’d found a life worth living and that I forgave her for what she’d done.” Turning onto his side, he linked his fingers with mine. “I finally forgave myself for not protecting her. No more guilt. I want this life. I want us. And I want the ghosts of my past finally at peace.”
Clasping his face in my hands, I kissed him, infusing all my gratitude for what he’d done and my love of what we were slowly building together.
When I pulled away, he smiled. “Attends.” He hopped off the bed to disappear into the bathroom. I didn’t hear the shower or sink turn on, but he was gone a very long time.
It didn’t matter. Laurent had found closure, and we had all the time in the world.
When he returned, he held out a hand. “Come with me.”
“Naked?”
“Yes.” He led me into the bathroom and out the sliding door to the patio area. I shivered, almost running back inside, because it was night and the crooked flagstones underfoot were freezing, but the goosebumps that broke out on my arms weren’t because of the cold.
Tall candles in glass holders flickered around the enormous copper soaking tub, their light bouncing off night-blooming flowers crawling up the high back wall.
Squealing in delight, I hopped along the path of smooth river rock to the tub and dipped my finger in the scalding water. Perfect.
