32. Jenn

Chapter 32

Jenn

I woke slowly, savoring the warmth of Emmett’s arms around me. A smile crept all the way out of my chest when I remembered where I was and what had happened last night.

Yesterday morning, we’d woken up like this too, but that had been a semi-innocent co-sleep between friends. This? This was post-three-orgasm bliss.

I nestled closer to Emmett, careful not to wake him. My mind drifted back to our encounter last night, replaying every touch, every kiss. Every lick. Every nip.

Hold on to those memories, Jenn.

Next came the replay of Emmett’s confessions. Kidnapped. Beaten. Trauma responses.

He wasn’t the kind of guy who normally expressed weakness. As an adult, Emmett was always in control and always easy-going. He’d always been strong—a survivor. But the way he’d opened up, showing me his physical and emotional scars? God, it touched me in ways I hadn’t expected.

And how he’d hesitated, struggled with his desire, and his promise to keep me safe. The conflict in his eyes had been clear. My soul hurt just thinking about it. His vulnerability, his honesty—it had melted something inside me.

And the sex? I’d completely forgotten about all the crazy things going on around us. The fake painting, Noah being alive, the De Rosas, the underground casino—all of it was nothing compared to how he’d wrecked me.

I shifted slightly, considering my options. I’d gone into last night swearing it was about getting him out of my system.

That probably meant I should climb out of bed and not get carried away with silly emotions. That would be the wise thing to do, right? Put some distance between us and get my head on straight?

But I didn’t want to move. I wanted to stay right here, in Emmett’s arms, for as long as possible. Was I pathetic? Was it leftover teenage feelings? Or was there something deeper? Something real?

I closed my eyes, listening to Emmett’s steady breathing, and snuggled back a little more, risking waking him up.

And what I felt was morning wood behind me.

Would he still want me this morning?

My bare back to his bare chest, with the light smattering of hair that tickled my skin. He rubbed his short beard against my shoulder, showing me he was awake.

“Emmett…” I whispered, snaking one hand behind me to stroke his hard cock. “Good morning.”

“Fuck,” he groaned, the guttural noise echoing inside me.

“Do you want to…” I continued stroking him, reveling in his obvious need.

He groaned again, his teeth grazing my shoulder. “Yes, woman.”

I reached for the bedside table, grabbing another condom for him.

Once it was on, he pushed into me slowly, filling me in one lazy stroke. Stretching me. Overwhelming me in the best possible way. His hips rocked gently, as if neither of us were fully awake.

“Yeah.” This was what I’d wanted. “Right there. Like that.”

“Still so wet,” he breathed, his hands roaming my body. He cupped my breasts, his fingertips teasing my nipples. “Is this how you wanted to start the day, honey?”

Honey . He was still calling me honey. “Perfect.”

He tweaked one of my nipples. “Are you going to beg me to stop, like you did last night?”

“No.” Not yet, at least.

“You will.” His teeth raked across my shoulder, and he continued with the torturous pace, building a fire inside my core. In. Out. In. Out. How long could he go on like this?

“Oh, god, Emmett, I need more.”

His speed remained constant. He was trying to kill me. “Beg me.”

“Please,” I whimpered, arching my back to invite him deeper. “Fuck me harder.”

“Close enough.” His pace quickened, and he gripped my hips with newfound urgency, holding me in place as he owned every inch of me. Slamming into me, he growled, “Is this what you want?”

“Oh god, yes, yes, yes,” I panted, the entire world vanishing as stars lit up my vision. The orgasm ripped through me, shattering me.

He tensed behind me, his breath hot on my neck as he found his own release. For long moments, he held onto my hips, his fingers digging into my skin as if he needed the anchor to reality. Finally, he relaxed and kissed my shoulder. He rolled out of bed to take care of the condom, giving me an opportunity to watch him move.

Emmett’s body was a masterpiece of lean strength. Defined muscle, like a Grecian sculpture, rather than a bodybuilder. He was even more gorgeous naked than in his fancy clothes. And the way the morning light filtered through the curtains, catching the thin sheen of sweat on his skin? Too delicious for words.

Three long scars marred his back, though. Was that from his kidnapping?

When he slid into the bed, he didn’t pull me back into his arms. Instead, he lay on his back, an unreadable expression on his face, one arm tucked casually behind his head. “Thank you.”

I rolled over, laying my head in the crook of his arm, and pulled a knee up over his hips. “Seriously? I should be the one saying that. I’m still up by two orgasms over you.”

He chuckled, kissing my forehead. “That’s a good thing, right?”

“So good.” I drew circles across his chest. There were so many words I wanted to say, but I kept them inside. I didn’t need to tell him how long I’d wanted him, how he’d been the only man to put me first, or how magical it had been—that would all be too awkward. “Think we should try and even that count out later?”

His breathing was slow and easy, his heart beating a simple rhythm under my ear. When he didn’t answer, I chanced a look.

His eyes were closed, features relaxed. “You didn’t bring an evening gown with you, did you?”

I sat up slightly at the odd subject change, but Emmett eased me back down.

“You’ll need something for the auction tonight.”

Work. We were back on the work topic. So much for the magic. “I didn’t bring anything fancy.”

He began idly sweeping his fingers along my back. “We’ll go shopping later.”

Aunt Penny paid me well, but not well enough for an evening gown in Monaco. “I don’t?—”

“Business expense. My treat.”

How did I feel about that? I’d wasted a thousand euros in the Casino last night, but with one careless toss of a chip onto the roulette table, he’d more than won it back.

Emmett yawned, and the hand on my back slowed. “Are you happy?”

“Yes,” I whispered. So much, yes.

“Good.” He kissed the top of my head and moved the arm he was propped up on. He twisted his fingers around mine and rested our hands on his chest. “Me, too.”

That, combined with him calling me ‘My Jenn’ last night and ‘Honey’ again this morning, sent a bundle of jittery energy spiraling around my insides. Was this more than one night—plus a morning? More than a vacation fling? I shifted so I could kiss him. Soft and tender. Trying to show him nothing mattered but the moment we were in. Hopefully, there’d be more, but this was all I needed for now.

He lifted me so I lay on top of him, and we just kissed. Tongues and lips and roaming hands. Warm bodies pressed together, our heartbeats syncing. He drew patterns on my back, and time slowed. The world narrowed to only us, wrapped in each other’s arms. The weight of my naked body on his felt right, like we were designed for this.

Shit .

It was just my luck.

Instead of getting him out of my system, I’d ensured he would never leave it.