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Down my neck…

Along my collarbone

She runs her hand down my torso, and I moan at her touch

“Ryan,” she purrs, but her voice sounds distant

I reach for her, but she’s not there “Micaela? Don’t leave, please” I need her close toin my head calms

“I’ht here,” she says, but I don’t see her Where is she? Is this a dream? It must be…

“Open your eyes, Ry”

I grin at the nickname She’s never called me that before, but I really like it I do as she says and her gorgeous face comes back into view Only it’s sharper, more clear

My hands, of their own accord, move to her hips, only to find her next to me It’s then I realize my dream wasn’t really a dream…

“Micaela,” I groan, reality hitting me

“Please” She frames my cheeks with her soft, delicate hands “I just want to feel you—our connection I’ more”

But what if I want more? I think but don’t say out loud

“I don’t want to hurt you”

“I knohat this is,” she says, her voice strong “When we leave to my new life with my new plans and I know they can’t include you” Her words sla my heart wide-open

“It’s not that…” Fuck, I want nothing more than to be part of her plans, but it’s just not possible…

“I get it” She kneels next to me and presses her mouth to mine “I know the score, and I respect you evenit to protect me But I don’t want to be protected I don’t need to be protected This built-up sexual tension between us is suffocating the hell out ofwith mine “I just need to breathe”