Chapter Forty-Three

“That’s it, baby.” He rams into me harder, harder, harder…until— “God, yes. So tight. So sweet.”

His release is long and sustained. He pushes into me, perspiration dripping from his brow, his eyes squeezed shut.

I watch him. Watch every microsecond of his orgasm. He’s beautiful. Big and strong and beautiful when he comes.

And I realize…

I’m no longer coming.

My orgasm has subsided.

In this forbidden place. This beautiful forbidden place with the man I love and adore. I should be coming and coming and coming, but once I came down from the first orgasm, I was done.

Odd.

Odd and unsettling.

Braden finally withdraws. “Skye?”

“Yes?”

He frowns slightly. “I thought you’d enjoy this. Coming here.”

“I did. I do. This is a beautiful place. Dreamy, even. Reminiscent of another time.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I’d love to do a photo shoot here sometime. Maybe for one of my posts.”

“Of course. Anytime. But there’s something you’re not telling me.”

I stay silent.

“What’s wrong?”

How does he know? “Nothing. Why?”

He trails a finger over my jawline. “You seem…elsewhere tonight.”

I force a smile. “You’re imagining things.”

He cocks his head. “Don’t lie to me, Skye.”

I sigh.

“Out with it,” he says.

“It’s silly, really.”

“Nothing is silly. Let me help you.”

“I’m feeling… This is difficult for me to say.”

“Just say it.”

“I’m not sure. Inadequate, I guess.”

“Why?”

“A lot of reasons. I’m not being a good friend to Tessa. I’m letting Addie get to me. I feel like I’m not…”

And I’ve given up control to Braden in the bedroom, though in all honestly, that makes me feel more like me than I’ve ever felt.

It’s the rest of the stuff, mostly, but I can’t deny Braden is a part of it.

“Not what?”

“Like I’m not me anymore.”

I expect him to frown. To tell me I’m being ridiculous. To…do just about anything other than what he ultimately does.

He cups my cheek, runs his thumb over my lower lip. “Look at me.”

I meet his blue gaze.

“Tell me, Skye. Since we met, when have you felt the most like you?”

“It’s little things, Braden. It’s not—”

He touches his fingers to my lips. “Just answer me, Skye.”

I close my eyes, let out a soft sigh.

Apprehension knifes through me.

Not because I’m afraid to answer him.

But because I know the answer, and that’s what surprises—and frightens—me.