The Key West Anthology Read Online Free Page B

kissed me once more before burying his face in the crease of my neck, slamming into me over and over. His body began to tremble, and his release rushed through him with a deep groan of pleasure.
    We both lay in that exact position, coming down from the high, our simultaneous panting creating a repetitive beat.
    When he pulled back, my body missed his instantly. I forced a smile, while I assured him things were good.
    Well, as good as they could be after reality set in. My life was what it was, and I didn’t have room in it for anything more than this one night. It just wasn’t possible. Not with my daily drama. I didn’t have room for anything beyond a simple fling. Just one night of hot sex and a freed moment from my daily rollercoaster ride.
    He slipped away to what I assumed was the bathroom. I heard water running, and then he appeared again, standing before me naked. The sight of him made my heart race. I fought against the lust that filled me—a strong desire to have him take me once more.
    He crawled onto the bed and positioned himself behind me. Wrapping his arm around my waist, he then pulled me back against him. He kissed my shoulder and whispered against my ear, “Stay the night with me, Quinn.”
    “Okay,” I replied. Even though I knew I couldn’t. I had already been out too late. I couldn’t lie and say staying with him wouldn’t have been my first choice. Over the last couple hours, he’d actually made me forget my life was such a mess. He made it seem almost as if I could be carefree and spontaneous without consequences.
    If only things weren’t the way they were at home. The idea of waking up in his arms, feeling his warmth, sounded amazing. If only I could say to hell with my responsibilities and stay in his bed, in the little cocoon we had created.
    Silence set in, and I concentrated on his breaths, waiting for them to indicate he had fallen asleep.
    After his breathing became deep and relaxed, I carefully turned in his arms. I lay as still as possible, admiring his sleeping form. He was truly a beautiful man, and for a short time he’d helped me forget.
    I traced his jawline with the tip of my finger, memorizing his features, etching them in my mind. I wanted to remember this night. I’d never had a one-night stand before; I had always considered them dirty and whorish. But something about this man and the way he touched me and kissed me that felt completely different than I ever imagined it would.
    I looked over his shoulder and noticed the clock. 1:52 a.m. A sense of panic set in as I thought of my mother getting home before me.
    I slowly and very carefully slipped from the bed and gathered my bra and panties from the floor. I then began backtracking through the house, picking up my clothes and quickly sliding them on.
    I looked around for my keys and remembered them hitting the floor earlier that night, just inside the door. I felt around and found them under the edge of a small table in the foyer.
    As I turned the door handle and pulled it open, I took one last look around. Then, after quietly flipping the lock on the handle, I stepped out, pulling it closed behind me.
    The drive home was miserable as I thought about being back at his house curled into him, wishing things could be different.
    As I pulled into my driveway, my heart ached at the scene before me. My mother’s body was slumped over the front step, leaning against the railing.
    I fled from my car, running across the front yard. I knelt down in front of her and pushed her dark hair away from her face. She groaned at the contact. A nauseous feeling rushed through me as I saw a trail of blood running down her cheek and onto her light pink shirt. A large gash gaped just below her eye.
    My heart raced as I looked around, wondering what happened. The railing going up the stairs had broken free and was barely hanging on to the concrete step below.
    Tears sprang to my eyes, and I immediately started my blame game. I was out having sex