thrust deep and she couldn’t hold back the scream of delight that tore from her lips, or the magnificent climax that exploded deep within her.
She held Nick, squeezing him tight as her body quaked.
“Jesus, Vix.” He seemed to swell even more inside her and he pushed deep again, until his body convulsed and a primal, satisfied sound filled the cozy living room. “Nothing feels better than you.”
She continued to embrace him. Nick’s forehead dropped to her shoulder, his breathing as ragged as hers.
He asked in a muffled voice, “Are you okay?”
“Never better.”
“It didn’t hurt too much?”
“It didn’t hurt at all. A little discomfort at first, maybe, but I really couldn’t focus on anything other than how amazing it is to have you inside me.”
“I’m an instant addict.”
She laughed softly. “Tell me you brought more than one condom.”
His head lifted. He grinned mischievously at her. “One time could never be enough with you, Vix.”
“I’m happy to know I didn’t disappoint.”
“Not a chance. And... Let me just say, I definitely saved the best for last. You’re all I’ve ever truly wanted, Vix. All I’ll ever need.”
Chapter Eight
Vixen woke to an empty bed the next morning.
Her heart sank.
... All I’ve ever truly wanted ... and All I’ll ever need instantly vanished into thin air.
Nick had carried her into her bedroom after their second go-round in front of the fire. He’d made love to her twice more. Bliss couldn’t even begin to describe the sensations that had enveloped her, leaving her both sexually and emotionally charged. And wanting Nick even more.
Yet, here she was the morning after. Alone.
Her brow furrowed and the corners of her mouth dipped.
“Nick?”
Silence met her ears. She stared at the side of her bed that he’d vacated without warning. Without telling her where he’d run off to. Without confessing that he’d rather sleep in his own bed than hers.
Apparently, old habits died as hard as old traditions.
She snapped up the note lying on the pillow that still held the indentation of his head. Dread and disappointment slithered down her spine as she read the very simple missive.
Had a couple of things to wrap up. I’ll be in touch.
Nick
Vixen crumpled the piece of paper. How fucking vague was that? I’ll be in touch ...? Like, from Siberia?
That was it? Really? All he had to say?
What the hell?
Was this is his standard it’s been fun, gotta run kiss-off?
Had he gotten what he’d wanted from her...and now she served no purpose in his life?
Vixen was taken by surprise at the tears that instantly sprang to her eyes.
How could this be? How could he just slip out? What about all that lovely stuff he’d said to her? The way he’d kissed her? The way he’d made love to her?
Confused, and feeling the heartache coming on, she left the bed and headed toward the shower to wash away the flood of tears with the hot spray of water.
This must have been how her mother had felt when she’d told Vixen’s father they were having a baby. And then he’d split. No feeble note needed. He’d blown out of her life with the first stiff breeze.
Had Nick just done the same?
* * *
Paranoia, insecurity, heartbreak...they were pretty much all the same thing in Vixen’s mind at this point.
She’d dressed, done her hair and makeup. Still no word, no call from Nick.
Who was avoiding who this time?
She left the house and walked toward the town square. The bite in the air was a nice enhancement to the Christmas Eve ambience, but Vixen couldn’t fully embrace the cheer she’d started to get back lately.
Fighting the emotion welling within her, she tried, instead, to focus on another critical issue at hand. One of the reasons she was in such financial dire straits was that she was responsible for her mother’s hospital bills. She’d been perfectly fine with that arrangement when she was bringing in money from her books. But the
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