Love at the End of the World Read online

  He saw the desire in her expression. Tomorrow he would worry about convincing her, tonight he’d make sure her body craved his.

  He unbuttoned her blouse and pushed the fabric off her shoulders. Next, he undid the button fly of her jeans and worked them over her hips. The denim fell away, leaving only the cotton bra and panties. They were practical things, white—a little gray with time—and dotted with blue flowers. Yet the sight turned him on as much as any fancy lingerie he’d ever seen. The wisps of material covering her most intimate places taunted him. He unclasped her bra and it tumbled down, leaving her beautiful, rose-tipped breasts exposed.

  She looked at him through her lashes. “I don’t have any, umm, birth control.”

  “I have a couple of condoms in my backpack.” He didn’t bother to remind her they were at least a decade old.

  She sagged with relief. “Okay. Good.”

  He went over to his bag and returned with a wrapped condom. He set it on the nightstand.

  She nibbled her lip. “Don’t you think you’re overdressed?” Her husky whisper made him harder, and his abs tightened as she ran her fingers over his waistband.

  He made a slight grunting sound but didn’t move as McKaye tugged the leather belt loose and unbuttoned his jeans. She blushed slightly as she worked the denim over his hips. Reece let out a long, slow breath, and she ran her hands down his lower back, then the hard muscles of his ass, and as she pushed his pants off, her fingers skimmed the backs of his thighs.

  He widened his stance, and his erection bobbed. He’d never been so aroused in his life. She went to her knees before him, her hair cascading loose. She smelled like flowers and vanilla. He spread out the long tresses over her naked shoulders and let his fingers trail through the soft strands.

  She was feminine in a way he hadn’t been prepared for. Suddenly, every moment had meaning. A primal, protective rush burned in him as he watched her run her fingers gently across his cock. He shuddered. The sight of her as she gazed up at him, on her knees, caused him a moment of such intense desire he almost came just looking at her.

  In all his life, he’d never met a woman who’d brought him to the brink so quickly and with such little effort. His breath caught when they made eye contact. Now all he had to do was figure out a way to keep her. He wanted her so much he ached.

  She appeared to enjoy the curves and planes of his body as she ran her hands over him. He wanted her to suck his cock, but she didn’t. She traced the masculine “V” at his hips and brushed his skin gently, but always her touch moved away seconds before she caressed his cock.

  McKaye kissed him where the hair trailed just under his belly button, and he groaned. She blew a gentle stream of air along his shaft. He groaned again when she leaned forward to follow the air with her tongue. Finally. He shook with need, and his knees almost buckled. He put his hand on her shoulder and closed his eyes as he savored the sensation.

  She lapped at him slowly until he was so close he thought he’d have to pull away from her. He opened his eyes. When she glanced up, their gazes locked again. Electricity sizzled between them. She drew him deeper into her mouth. He fought his orgasm as her hot mouth explored every ridge and vein. Her blissful expression left him transfixed. His abs tightened until they ached, and he couldn’t stop watching her.

  Reece was lost. His ass clenched, and his knees jerked with the effort to remain standing as pleasure coursed through him. He held the base of her skull gently as he closed his eyes to relish what she did to him. He was on the brink of ejaculation. As badly as he wanted to pleasure her, this felt too good to stop.

  “Sweetheart,” he breathed. The endearment fit, and he knew from that moment on he’d do everything he could to become her world. She belonged to him, she just didn’t know it yet.

  She lavished his length with attention, but when she turned those long, slow licks on his sac, his knees did buckle. He had to let go of her to hold the wall for support. She ran her nails gently over his lower back and ass. He shivered and cried out. His balls grew painfully tight.

  Reece was so close, but he refused to let her rob him of the joy he’d find coming inside of her...with her. He pulled her to her feet. Her eyes widened for a second before he crushed his lips to hers. The most intense, possessive need he’d ever experienced roared to life. She was limp in his single arm hold for a second before her arms tightened around his neck. When she kissed him back, he groaned and held her closer.

  He slid his hand under her ass and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he could feel her wetness against his shaft. He’d never been with a woman who was so responsive. Her sexuality pleased him. The fact that his body had made her so ready wasn’t lost on him. She was amazing. He’d erase the memory of any other man’s touch. The kiss never broke as he moved to the bed, still holding her tight.

  * * * *

  McKaye was in control until Reece lifted her off the floor. His strength, even with only one arm, was impressive. His lust nourished her soul and made her complete in a way she couldn’t fully understand.

  His muscles flexed, tensing, as he carried her to bed. He laid her down, and she gazed up at him as the kiss broke and he hovered over her. He touched her face, and his gaze seemed to search her expression.

  He cleared his throat. “You’re mine. Say it.” When he spoke, his voice was strained and husky.

  She should have been horrified. But instead of terror, he inspired primal want. She wanted him to make the same vow, but she bit her lip and stayed quiet.

  Reece eased her thighs apart, opening her to him. He brushed her clit, lightly, then pressed harder. “Tell me!”

  “I’m yours,” she wailed.

  He moved to press his mouth to her vulva, kissed those lips, and then lavished attention on her clit. She jerked at his touch, shocked. It was easy to be bold when she was caressing him, but no one had touched her like this in a very long time.

  Reece lapped at her pussy as if he’d never tasted anything so sweet. At first, she was quiet, and then her whimpers grew. He lapped faster, harder. She tangled her fingers in his hair, bucking against his face. McKaye cried out, and he didn’t stop. She was breathing harder, and her whimpers grew more desperate. She squeezed her eyes shut and saw sparks behind her eyelids as her passion teetered toward the precipice of release. A keening escaped her in a wail. McKaye came for him.

  “Reece!” she cried. “More!” Then she moaned. Her hips jerked off the bed as she squealed with pleasure.

  When he pulled away, she groaned with disappointment, but he returned his attention between her legs as he inserted his long finger inside her, and he used his tongue to build her need back into an inferno. He continued until she cried out, coming ferociously.

  Reece continued his caresses between her thighs until her wails slowed to whimpers, then he slid up to lay beside her. For a man with one arm he was incredibly nimble. He cupped a breast tenderly, flicking her nipple with his thumb as he watched her. His intense gaze made her feel both safe and exposed in the same moment. She couldn’t pull away from the gravity in his expression, and he held her entranced as pleasure tingled through her.

  He smiled. “Beautiful.”

  When she came back from the floating depths of ecstasy, she lay under him as he kissed her lazily. Her soul seemed to leave her body to drift languidly until he dropped a kiss on her thigh. Her pussy contracted with the echoes of her orgasm.

  His lust, almost palpable around them like some unseen entity, radiated into her. McKaye’s want escalated with the desire in his expression. His passion made her hot. Her breath caught the moment his gaze captured hers.

  He sat up to place his hand between her legs. The sensation caused her to buck her hips and grind her clit against his touch. He chuckled. She bit her lip as her eyes fluttered closed, and a soft sound of pleasure escaped her.

  He kissed her quickly. “Amazing.” He rubbed her clit while his index finger delved inside to caress her G-spot.


  McKaye whimpered as her desire sparked into flames. Her eyes opened. Their gazes locked. She pressed against him.

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  “More.” Her vision hazed with lust. If she wasn’t careful, she might fall in love with him.

  He made a sound—something between a moan and a growl. “Look into my eyes when you come for me. You have beautiful eyes.”

  McKaye’s face heated. She didn’t look away. Prickles of awareness stirred in her womb, and her pussy responded. Her fingers trailed lightly down his stubbled jaw. She put her hands on the back of his neck and pulled him to her lips. He choked out an emotional grunt, kissing her back with a ferocity that stole her thoughts. She lost her soul in him.

  Reece cradled the right side of her face in his large, warm hand, and she turned into his palm, placing a tender kiss there. “I can feel your heart beating with my heart,” he whispered.

  She snuggled her cheek into his palm. He pressed his forehead against hers, and they stayed like that a moment as a strange, spiritual peace filled her.

  Reece moved just enough to press a kiss against the crown of her head. “When you come, remember to look into my eyes.”

  Then his lips descended into a punishing kiss. She clung to him, breathless, and opened for his tongue to explore her mouth. She was so wet and ready for him. Her body reacted, and instinctually her tongue found his. He smothered her moans with his fervent kiss until her yearning erupted in flames.

  Releasing her roughly, Reece put his mouth over her nipple, sucking hard. His hand slipped between her legs, strumming her clit. She bucked under him, writhing with the force of her lust.

  He pulled his hand away from her pleasure-point, but managed to rise above her and spread her legs with his knee. The momentary feeling of violation rekindled her desire even as it brought a flash of panic to the surface of her emotions. Being imprisoned under him made her struggle out of pure instinct.

  Reece moved between her legs. “McKaye, look at me.”

  She did.

  “I’ll make this good for you, sweetheart.”

  She stilled. Something uncoiled inside of her, and her pussy ached with need.

  They never broke eye contact. He grinned and brushed a gentle kiss against her lips. She bucked. “Please, Reece.” She ground against him and rubbed her wet pussy against his thigh, crying out in frustration.

  “Say the words,” he ordered.

  “I give in, whatever you want.”

  “That’s not what I want.” He kissed her neck until her pussy convulsed, and she groaned with pleasure.

  “I’m yours,” she panted. “I—I need more,” she gasped. She moaned, arching her back. “I want…inside…me…please!”

  Reece picked up the condom off the nightstand. Using his teeth, he ripped open the wrapper, with accomplished skill, then rolled the latex over his erection.

  He found her ready entrance with his cock. She gasped with surprise and squeezed her eyes shut as he slipped inside her, stretching her. He impaled her completely with a single thrust and pleasured grunt.

  He stilled, his body joined with hers. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  She nodded.

  Reece moved inside her, slowly at first, and then faster. She closed her eyes and let herself stop thinking. Her hands found his ass, and she squeezed his perfection. He moved faster, each thrust more powerful than the last. She gasped, opening her eyes as she came.

  “Reece,” she cried, their bodies locked together, and her ecstasy began again.

  “McKaye!” he roared, throwing his head back, his face taunt.

  Orgasm rippled through her body, mind, and spirit. Her eyes fluttered closed again as a kaleidoscope of color exploded across her vision. McKaye shook with the force of her release. Her body responded to him without her conscious decision. She rocked against him, sliding him deeper inside her. The beautiful friction caused intense, tiny wails of joy to erupt from her throat.

  McKaye allowed her body to become mindless sensation. Every single stroke of his cock brought a fresh spasm of pleasure through her. He thrust hard and fast, and his cock stroked her clit with every move.

  McKaye opened her eyes and gazed at Reece. His face twisted into a mask of concentration as he pumped inside her, and she arched her back as he drove deeper. The pleasure didn’t ebb. The ecstasy continued as the seconds became timeless. Nothing mattered but this man and his cock. A keening wail left her throat, and her breath hitched. Nothing in her experience had prepared her for this nirvana. His gaze never left her face.

  “You feel amazing,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

  Carnality splintered through her, and she arched off the mattress. He stopped when he was deep inside her. Her pussy contracted instantly as her sensitivity peaked. She gripped him with her inner muscles as he thrust into her a final time.

  He collapsed beside her. She shook from the power—pleasure so intense it grew into something akin to pain. The sensation was so overwhelming her eyes watered.

  “You were made for me,” he whispered.

  She wept, hard, sobbing with the uncontrollable expression of emotion. Reece snuggled near her and pushed the hair off her face. The smell of sex perfumed the air. He turned her head to the side, facing him, and smiled at her before placing a kiss on her mouth. He didn’t let her pull away as he tugged her closer. They fit together perfectly. His body heat seeped into her soul. Her mind floated disconnectedly as her body indulged in the afterglow of mating.

  “I’ve never felt this safe before,” she whispered.

  He flinched. Something unreadable passed over his face. “If you stay with me, I will do everything in my power to make sure you always feel that way.”

  “Sicks won’t make keeping that promise easy. I’m afraid to let my heart keep you. Reece, I don’t want you to die.”

  He smiled a sad smile. “I won’t.”

  “But you might. I can’t fall in love with you.”

  “I have fallen in love with you. McKaye...don’t break my heart,” he said, his tone pleading.

  She didn’t want to hurt him, but she was too afraid to love him. “I told you I wouldn’t make you any promises.”

  He brushed her lips with his. “I guess I’ll have to love you enough for both of us. I’m not willing to give up on you so easily, sweetheart.”

  And if she hadn’t already had trouble keeping her emotions free, those words ensnared her. It was too late, she was in love with him, but she couldn’t let him know. “You shouldn’t love me.”

  “I’ve never been very good at doing what I should do. Now get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow reinforcing the damaged fence line. Get some real rest. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Exhausted, she immediately drifted into oblivious slumber.

  Chapter 8

  When McKaye woke up Reece was still asleep. He looked so young in rest. She brushed the hair off his brow before she got up and pulled on some clothing. She walked out to the kitchen, her bare feet slapping the hardwood floor.

  “Morning.”

  Nella’s voice caused McKaye to jump. She squeaked. “Um, good morning.”

  “He likes his eggs over easy.”

  “Um, thanks.”

  “It’s okay with me, just in case that’s why you look like I caught you stealing cookies in here. You two have chemistry.”

  “I—I don’t know if this changes anything.”

  “Doesn’t it change everything? He needs a woman like you by his side. A lot of people look up to him. He’s good at taking care of everyone in this group except for himself. There’s only so much a sister can do to look out for him.”

  Her friend was asking a lot from her. She shrugged. “He’s a big boy.”

  “Oh my, I didn’t ask for details.” Nella winked.

  McKaye’s face burned. “You’re terrible.”

  Nella chuckled. “I’m going to be out of the cabin most of the day. I’m helping Max with some perimet
er security issues. We were lucky when we found this camp, that’s why we have to be sure we secure it from anyone who might want to take it over. Even this time of year, when the snow slows down the sicks, we have to be on guard.” She grabbed an untoasted Pop-Tart and took a bite. “No time to heat this over the fire, he’s waiting.”

  As McKaye watched her go she wondered when Nella would give in and hook up with poor Max. Those two had chemistry too, but Nella seemed as stubborn as she’d been to stay single.

  McKaye looked back at the closed bedroom door. Did she want this to be more than one night? Yes. Did she want to stay with this group? Maybe. She wasn’t going to let sex sway her opinion of groups.

  She didn’t make Reece breakfast. Something about doing that felt too much like she was agreeing to stay. Instead, she poured a glass of water, drank it, then sat down on the couch. The fire was burning well. She picked up her knitting.

  McKaye and Melody helped Belle through the broken pharmacy door.

  “Did they touch her?” Joey asked. He jumped back, as if he was afraid of exposure.

  “No!” Melody snapped. “She’s just in labor.”

  McKaye heard Melody whisper “asshole” under her breath.

  McKaye helped Melody situate the pregnant woman on the floor, in a relatively clear area.

  Melody pointed into the yawning darkness of the interior. “Go look for something we can use, anything.”

  Nodding, McKaye went off to look for the requested useful finds. She cautiously navigated the dim interior. No light traveled this far back into the store, except what filtered in through the broken skylight in the ceiling.

  She noticed the restroom door half-hung on rusty hinges. A massive spider web made the gapping blackness inside even more unnerving. The only thing she found inside was a goodbye note written in lipstick and the mummifying remains of a woman.

  Shrieking caused McKaye to stumble back out of the room and toward the front of the store. Joey stood over Belle, a bloody ax in his hands. Melody took aim, and her bullet ripped through him.