From Bully To Beloved

I reach above to grip the headboard while tossing my head back, needing something to grab onto, to ground me. Coltongroans, one of his hands sliding up my stomach, between my breasts, a movement he performed earlier but still hot a second time. He grips my chin, his palm against my throat and forces my head back down so our eyes meet.

“Look at me,” he orders breathlessly. “Look at me when I fuck you.”

At his words, my insides flutter, and I do as he says. I find myselfwantingto listen, wanting to please him, and obey whatever he says. Our eyes lock, and that smirk shifts into something else. His top teeth dig into his bottom lip every time he thrusts inside me, and I clench around him.

“Jesus, Sera.”

To make a man like Coltonpant and moan, to feel the tremors through his body and know that I’m the reason he’s like this, fills me with sheer joy. I lose track of how long we’re together like this. It’s like now that we’ve finally had each other, we can’t get enough. I know I can’t, and my heart races, knowing I’m not alone.

In an explosion of passion, we both come.

Coltonhas learned my body quickly. He knows where to touch me and how to draw an immense reaction out of me. It’s like he gets off by getting me off, and boy, does heeverget me off. I don’t bother keeping count.

By the time I’m spent, and my body is aching for rest, the sun has set, and in the darkness of night, the stars gleam through the bedroom window. The bedroom is bathed in shadow, giving everything a dreamlike quality. Makes sense. I must be in a dream if I’m feeling this good.

Coltonrolls over to face me. “Fuck, we both needed that.”

I curl against his side, draping myself across his chest. His arms automatically come up to hold me close. “I think I’ve lost the use of my legs,” I admit, kissing his heart tattoo.

“That means I’ve done my job right.”

We take a quick shower together and return to bed. I can’t help but giggle breathlessly at the switch that’s happened. I went from never wanting him to touch me to not being able to get enough of him. All in a very short period of time.

I’m struck by how beautiful he is. The glow from the city lights cuts through the shadows just enough for me to see his handsome face. His green eyes are soft and gazing at me with indescribable emotion-it’s almost too much to stand.

“You’re a sweet angel.” He shifts to grab the blanket again, and when it’s draped over both of us, we get comfortable. He’s warm and inviting, and I can’t bring myself to break contact. Not that he wants me to, if his grip is any indication.

He’s holding me close, as if he’s afraid I’m going somewhere.

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

My eyes start to droop, and I yawn, realizing how exhausted I am. At least it’s the good kind of exhaustion this time. The kind that comes from doing naughty things with a super-hot man. I glance at the alarm clock, startled to see how late it is.

“Whoa. I should get some sleep. Definitely lost track of time.”

“Yeah, I have that effect on women.”

“Geez, why do you have to ruin the moment by talking?”

“Same reason you have to ruin the moment by overthinking. It’s just what we do.”

His voice is light, and I know he’s teasing me. Instead of being annoyed, it only makes me laugh. I slide off him and lay my head on the pillow next to his. Coltonscoots closer, draping his arm around my waist and tucking me under his chin, against his chest.

“You’re right though. We should get some sleep,” he says through a yawn. “If you’re good, maybe I’ll give you a little something-something before you go to work tomorrow.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I would roll my eyes if it didn’t sound like the best idea in the world. “Sounds good to me. Also, I guess you don’t have to sleep on the couch tonight.”

“Good. Because I wasn’t planning to. Nor are you sleeping on there again. You’re staying right here with me. That way I can have quick access.”

“Quick access to what?”

“Take an educated guess,” he says.

“Only if I get quick access too.”

“To what?”

“Take an educated guess.”

“Deal. As much as I respect all the antiques around here, the first thing I’m going to do once the month is up, is sell that fucking couch.”

I crane my neck to look at him. “Are you going to sell everything?”

“For the most part. I’ll keep a few family heirlooms, such as the photograph of her, Justin and me, and the rolling pin, with which she threatened to beat him and me up, but never followed through on the warning. The rest will be sold once the apartment goes. My new place is going to be a hell of a lot bigger than this one.”

The reminder that our time in this apartment isn’t long for this world is not lost on me. It’s funny. When this whole thing started, I couldn’t wait for the month to be over. But now that we’re getting closer, the thought upsets me a bit.

Deep down, I’ll be a little sad to see the place go.

I tuck myself back under his chin and snuggle in. “Does this mean I don’t have to pick up my bra anymore?”

“Only if I don’t have to move my shoes.”

“Nah, you still need to move them.”

“Then you still need to pick up your bra.”

“Okay, fine.”

He laughs sleepily, burying his face in my hair. “Goodnight, sweet thing.”

“Night, Cal.”

He falls asleep almost immediately.

I listen to the sound of his breath evening out, feeling the soft rise and fall of his chest against my cheek. But I don’t sleep. Not right away, at least. A million things race through my mind. I replay every kiss, every gasp, every thrust of his hips.

More importantly, I think about how he made me feel.

Like I was the most gorgeous woman in the world.

Like he only has eyes for me.

Like I was the happiest girl alive.