Chapter 7

Sadie

T wo weeks had passed since the snowstorm rolled through Chester, dumping at least a foot of snow in one night. Thankfully, there was minimal damage to the trees and roads by my house and in town. Mason closed the store for a few days, but we reopened as soon as the snowplows cleared the streets.

The clouds lasted a while, but the sun finally broke through two days ago and bathed us in its warmth. The snow melted, leaving a sparkle of frost on the tree branches and leaves covering the forest floor. Fall had claimed Vermont, and the colors, though faded, were still breathtaking. I sipped my chai while watching the trees sway in the chilly breeze through my kitchen window.

Brian, who stayed with me during those two weeks, was up two hours before me and already deep into work at the table when I came down the stairs. While I knew he was a contract attorney, he was pretty secretive about it, especially with the high-profile clients that kept him on the road most of the year. I had tried to ask about it, but he’d shut the conversation down, citing confidentiality agreements and NDAs.

I respected his privacy, given my own secrets, but I missed him when he had to leave.

Brian stood from the table, went to the coffeemaker, and poured another fresh cup. I ogled him while he took a sip. Seeing him work without wearing a sleek, expensive suit was still strange. Brian was shirtless, his chiseled muscles and tanned skin on display, complemented by red plaid pajama bottoms. His hair, normally styled, was tousled and slightly damp, meaning he’d showered in the guest room while I slept.

Brian returned to the table, and when I went over to him, he held up one finger, silencing me while he typed. It was as if my voice would shatter his concentration and destroy the email. I tapped my fingers impatiently against my blue cat-shaped mug.

After a series of clicks on the keyboard, Brian turned to me and smiled. “Sorry, babe, I had to get that email out before eight o’clock. Now, time for a proper good morning, beautiful.”

I leaned in and kissed him on his temple, smelling the cedar-scented shampoo he had brought. “I have to head out to open the bookshop in thirty minutes,” I said. “What time are you flying out tonight? Will I see you when I get home at five?”

“Unfortunately, as soon as I send a few more emails, I have to get in the car and head to the airport. My client from Japan will be in New York earlier than I expected. I can’t miss this meeting. I’m sorry, Tess.”

“Mm, well, that’s unfortunate,” I purred, running my fingers through his blond hair. Brian stilled in the chair, looking up at me. He knew what I wanted without words. “Maybe … maybe we can make it a little less unfortunate.”

I trailed my fingers from his hair, down his face and neck, gliding slowly over his chest and cupping his crotch.

“Tess,” he moaned, the resistance evident in his tone. I knew he wanted this as much as I did. Who knew when we would see each other again and spend time like this? His work was so unpredictable.

“Come on,” I pleaded, leaning down a little and slipping my fingers underneath his pant’s elastic waistband. I let my nails graze against the warm, thick heat that twitched at my touch. Smooth and powerful. Male in every sense of the word. I needed his cock inside of me now.

“Tess, I need to get these emails done—”

“Those emails can wait. You won’t see me for who knows how long, and I just thought you might want to fuck me on this kitchen counter before you go.”

That did the trick. The last of Brian’s resistance melted away, and he stood, grabbing my hips and lifting me onto the counter. His lips pressed against mine, and his tongue ravished me. “Fuck,” he growled against my swollen lips, yanking my pink and white pajama shorts down my legs, along with my panties. “You’re such a bad influence.”

He pulled away from me only long enough to grab his wallet and pull out his “emergency” condom—neither of us could be bothered to go upstairs. I tugged at his pants, sliding them down his hips, and then pulled out his cock as the kitchen filled with the sound of foil torn. As soon as he rolled the thin layer of protection over his cock, he rammed himself deep inside of me, hard and rough. There wasn’t even any foreplay, only his desperate need to give me what I begged for.

“Fuck!” I cried out, tipping my head back. God, it felt good. This was what I wanted from him: to take me mercilessly.

Brian pulled his hips back, only straying from my pussy for a moment before his entire length was back inside me—more brutal this time. My back arched as I leaned my palms against the cold marble, supporting my weight against it. Brian’s gaze locked on mine; his eyes filled with the most primal lust that drove me insane.

“Is this what you want?” he demanded, his tone low. “For me to lose control like this, Tess?”

“Yes … God, yes,” I managed to muster between my heavy breaths. Most of our clothes remained on us—yet this was the closest and most intimate I had ever felt in his presence.

Especially as his hand grasped my throat, giving it a tight squeeze.

Thank you, Jesus .

There was no time to prepare for the sudden restriction, no time for my lungs to supply themselves with the much-needed oxygen as he pounded himself into me. I tried to tell him that the grip was too tight and that his fingers weren’t entirely on the safe areas of my throat, but no words would leave my lips as my vision blackened. And then, in a heartbeat, my orgasm hit me.

Hard and fast, all at once.

Stars burst in my eyes as I came. It hurt and not in a good way.

I whimpered in Brian’s grip, but he didn’t ease his hold—not until I felt his own release hit him. He came with a groan, tensing against me before finally letting go of my throat. I drew in a sharp gulp of air. Then another .

Then I just stared at him.

What the hell just happened?

Brian removed the condom from his cock, tossing it into the trash before he tucked himself back into his pants.

“Fuck, I’m definitely going to have to shower again and change before I leave,” he murmured, leaning in to plant a soft kiss on my forehead. I, on the other hand, remained seated on the kitchen counter, soaked in cum and sweat. “If I’m late, you’re the one to blame because I can’t resist you.”

My brows furrowed. “I’m sure your client will want to hear all about it,” I said half-heartedly.

A small, snuffed laugh escaped him. “I’m sure he would, but some things are for me to keep.” The softness in his eyes heavily contrasted with how he had just fucked me. He didn’t know what he was doing, but he tried. Bless him. That would be a conversation for another time. Despite my efforts, I coughed a little.

Brian’s blue eyes lowered from my face to my neck, and he frowned. I knew there were red marks that would bruise quickly, and I’d have to wear a scarf to work today. It was a good thing it was cold outside.

It might even hurt to swallow.

“Oh, shit. I’m sorry.” Guilt washed over Brian’s handsome face as he looked at the reddening marks on my throat. “I didn’t mean to. I was just … trying to do it the way you liked.”

My smile faltered, a sharp prick of guilt hitting my stomach. “I know.”

Of course, it was my fault for pressuring him over the last two weeks to do something that he clearly wasn’t comfortable with. Now, I had bruises, and he felt awful. It was my fault.

He may never want to try this again, and I wouldn’t blame him.

Maybe it was a good thing.

Maybe this was something else I needed to leave behind.

To bury with him.