I climb out of bed while she recovers and dig the single condom out of my wallet. Then I’m tearing off my underwear, tearing into the condom wrapper and suiting up before I slip back into Sydney’s bed. I don’t even hesitate. She’s sprawled across the bed as if she was waiting for me and I sink into her welcoming body, my mouth finding hers so I can kiss her into oblivion as I start to move.
The bed creaks with my every thrust. I try to slow down, try to remain quiet, but it’s no use. I want her too much. I need her too much. I move faster, her legs wrapping around my hips as she clings to me, our mouths fused together. I can’t get enough of her. I wish I could say that out loud, but it’s too fast. Too fast. Everything’s happening way too fast.
And I don’t ever want it to stop.
The phone starts ringing way too early in the morning, before the sun has even risen. At first, I think it’s my phone and I blindly reach toward my bedside table to answer it.
But I realize quick just by the texture of the case that it’s not my phone. It’s Wade’s. And the name flashing across the screen says “Mom”.
“Wade.” I nudge his shoulder and he grunts but otherwise doesn’t respond. I poke him again, harder this time, saying his name louder too, and he rolls over, an irritable look on his face as he glares at me.
“What?”
What a grump. I hold the phone out to him. “Your mom is calling.”
“Shit,” he mutters as he takes the phone, sitting up so he can answer the call. “Hey. You okay?”
He remains quiet and I can hear a panicked female voice on the other end, talking quickly. I clutch the comforter close to my chest, uncomfortable at the thought that Wade is on the phone with his mom while naked in bed with me. After we just had sex a few hours ago. It’s kind of weird. But I tell myself to be a grown up and get over it.
“So you’re at the hospital? Jesus, Mom, are you okay?”
My heart drops when I hear his words and I sit up, wanting to touch him but unsure if he wants my comfort. What happened to his mother? Is she all right?
I can hear her talk once again, and she’s slower now, not so frantic. I listen to her before I start speaking again, trying my best to reassure her. “I’ll be there as soon as I can, okay? Yeah. Just—stay there. Don’t let them release you. They wouldn’t do that yet, would they?”
He pauses, letting her talk before he resumes. “They think you broke your hip, Mom. No, they better not release you, or there will be hell to pay. Just sit tight. I’ll be there soon, all right? Bye. Love you.” He ends the call then practically leaps out of bed.
“What happened to your mom?” I ask as I sit up, watching as he goes in search of his clothes.
“She got into a car accident. She had the early shift at work and was driving there when some jackass plowed through a stoplight and T-boned her car.” He slips on his jeans without his underwear, and even in his moment of panic and fear, I can’t help but think he’s totally sexy.
Which means I have issues, right? Right.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s talking and coherent, so that’s good. They think she might’ve broken her hip. I hope it’s not that serious, but we’ll see.” He slips his shirt on, then looks over at me. “I have to go be with her.”
“Yes, of course you do.” But how far away is she? “Where is she at?”
“Still in Chico. I have to go home.” He sits on the edge of the bed, his heavy weight making the mattress groan and sag, and starts to put on his shoes. “I hate leaving right now with Owen and Chelsea still here, but I have to go.”
“They’ll understand.” I throw the covers back and crawl over to him, slipping my arms around him from behind. “Are you okay?” I whisper close to his ear. He smells so good. Feels good too. So solid and comforting and warm. I wish he didn’t have to leave. I hope his mom is okay.
“Yeah. It’s just—the timing sucks.” He blows out a harsh breath and leans against me, as if he needs my support. Turning his head, his gaze meets mine. “If she’s as bad as she says she might be, she’s going to need twenty-four hour care for a while.”
I squeeze him gently, pressing my body full against his. I’m still naked, but I don’t care. I just want to make him feel better. “Maybe it’s not as bad as they all think.”
“I hope not.” He closes his eyes, leaning his head on my shoulder. “I need to be with my mom, but I don’t want to leave you.”
My heart feels like it just tripped over itself. “You have to take care of her. She comes first, and I understand.” I do, I swear. It just—hurts, knowing that he has to leave, and I can’t go with him.
“I don’t know how long this is going to take.”
“Of course you don’t.” He lifts his head and I pull away slightly so I can start rubbing his shoulders. “But you need to be there for her.”
“I have to leave. Right now. The drive is at least four hours.” He hangs his head. “God, that feels good.”
I rub harder, trying to work out all the knots I can feel in his muscles. “When you come back, I’ll give you a full body massage.”
Wade glances at me over his shoulder, his expression hopeful, though I can see the exhaustion around his eyes. “Promise?”
“Promise.” I lean in and kiss him softly on the lips. When I try to pull away though, he follows, kissing me again. And again. Until his tongue is in my mouth and I somehow end up in his lap, his hands gripping my butt, my naked body wound all around him.
The kiss spirals out of control fast, until I’m basically gyrating on him and his hands are everywhere, his erection straining against his jeans. I know this isn’t the time, but maybe a quickie would be good. One last moment together before he’s gone for days, maybe even weeks.
God, I’ll miss him. I don’t want him to leave me ever.
“I don’t have another condom,” he says minutes later, between ragged breaths, and I sag against him, the disappointment washing over me in thick, heavy waves. We can’t do anything. We shouldn’t do anything. He needs to leave. Now. “Fuck.”
Frustration vibrates off his big body and I crawl off his lap, diving back under the covers and pulling them up to my chin. My entire body is tingling, primed and ready for action, and I watch as Wade rises to his feet, running a hand through his messy hair before he turns to look at me.
“Text me when you get there, okay?”
“I will.” He nods, his expression pained, his gaze haunted. “You won’t forget me when I’m gone?”
Like that’s even possible. “Never.” I pause, the question hanging on the tip of my tongue. Screw it. I’m asking him. “We’ll still be good when you come back though, right?”
“What do you mean?” He frowns.
“This. What we have. When you come back from taking care of your mom? Or will we miss the expiration date?”
I wait nervously for his answer. We have that one-week deadline Fable and Drew set for us. Is Wade still following it too?
“Forget the expiration date,” he says.
“Really?” I sound hopeful—maybe even desperate.
“Yeah. We don’t have an expiration date.” He comes to me, bending down to give me a fierce kiss on the lips. “I’ll be back soon. Okay?”
“Okay.” I nod, pressing my lips together.
“I mean it.”