Rush: The Season (Austin Arrows Book 1)(126)

Almost.





Ellie

I do not know what came over me, but here I am.

When James asked Bianca and me to come to Colorado to see his house and so that he could take us to a hockey game, I hadn’t been able to say no. Of course, it didn’t hurt that Bianca begged and pleaded for three entire days before I finally made the decision.

So, James put us on a plane—first class—and picked us up at the airport this morning. Tonight, the three of us are staying in a two-bedroom suite—Bianca and I in one room, James in the other—in this very same hotel. And while Bianca and James decided to settle in to have popcorn and watch a movie, I informed him that I needed to go talk to Kingston. With an understanding nod, he then shooed me on my way and turned his attention back to Bianca.

And here I am, seducing this man, quite possibly for the last time.

Spencer told me which room Kingston was in, and he even managed to help me sneak in without Kingston knowing. For the past half hour, I sat here on the bed, thinking about all the things I wanted to say to him when he came back.

Then, as soon as he stepped foot in the room, I knew there would be no talking. And the moment his lips touched mine, I knew I’d made the right decision.

“Fuck, Ellie. What are you doing to me?”

“Driving you wild, I hope.”

“Definitely that.”

With quick, jerky movements, we manage to remove all the hindering clothing that is keeping us apart. Finally, once we’re both naked, Kingston retrieves a condom from his wallet, then gently lays me down on the bed. I try not to think anything of the fact that he’s using a condom when the last few times we’ve had sex, he hasn’t.

Once he’s sheathed, I pull him down on top of me and fasten my mouth to his. This is where I can lose myself. The only place I want to be. With his strong arms banded around me, his warm weight on top of me, his eager tongue delving into my mouth, and those hungry moans rumbling in his chest. It’s exactly as it has always been. The heat and passion are still there, burning white hot. Something might be missing, but it isn’t lust.

“Need to be inside you,” he grumbles, his mouth sliding down to my jaw.

I need that, too, so I slide my hands down his back and grip his ass, pulling him so that we’re aligned almost perfectly. He groans again and with one shift of his hips…

“Oh, yes,” I hiss as he fills me.

Kingston holds himself perfectly still, and I think he’s allowing my body the chance to stretch. I look up into his eyes, see the way he’s staring back at me. I’m not quite sure what I see reflected there, but whatever it is, I feel it echoing deep inside me. Love, maybe? An unnamed emotion that neither of us is strong enough to acknowledge.

Not wanting to think too long on that, I pull Kingston back down to me, kissing him like this’ll be the last time. It very well could be; I know that. I knew it when I showed up here tonight. Kingston has managed to push me away. I’m simply not strong enough to stay away.

“Ellie,” he groans, pumping his hips forward, back.

I dig my fingernails into his back, focusing on the solidity and warmth of his body against mine, the exquisite friction as he plunges deeper into my body. I force everything else out. This is the only thing that matters. I want to memorize it, to be able to think back and say that I was at one time truly loved by someone. Although he won’t admit it, I know that Kingston loves me. Maybe not the same way that I love him. He might not be in love with me, but this is love.

I can’t make him tell me, but I can let him show me.

“Aww… Ellie… Baby…”

Kingston’s arms wrap around my head and we touch from chest to knee. I feel him everywhere. Every part of him. He’s not crushing me, but he’s consuming me. I try to hold back the tears that threaten. It’s not easy, but I won’t let him see me cry. I promised I wouldn’t fall in love with him. It’s not his fault that I did.

His hips begin rocking faster, and I wrap my legs around his waist, taking everything he’ll give me.

“Kingston … yes… Oh, God, yes… Make me come.”

“Come for me, Ellie. Come for me, baby. Let me feel you.”

He doesn’t stop the perfect rhythm of his thrusts, so I hang on, allowing the sensations to consume me.

“Oh, Ellie…”

I know he’s close. I can hear it in the way he says my name. He’s holding back, probably for me. I want him to lose control, but I know better than to expect that. This is the king of control. He has proven it time and time again. He’s only going to give me what he’s willing to give, and I’m going to accept that. No matter how much it hurts.

“Faster,” I breathe against his ear. “Harder… Fuck me harder, Kingston.”

A rough growl escapes him, and he slams into me over and over until I can’t hold back any longer. The kindling ignites into a wild, out-of-control flame as my body catches fire and my orgasm explodes, consuming every one of my senses.

I scream his name over and over, clutching him as he impales me until finally, Kingston lets go. And while he pulses deep inside me and my breaths shudder in and out of my body, I swear I hear him whisper that he loves me. For a moment, there’s a spark of hope, a glimmer of possibility.

Unfortunately, that’s doused when he falls to his back and sighs.