Groomless - Part 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

against each other. I was his, totally and completely, and when we were together like that, our bodies frolicking in unison, literally joined together at the hip, we were transformed into something else, something greater than either of the two of us could ever be on our own. With Luke, I felt an intimate togetherness, an ecstasy, and a singularity that I knew I would never, ever be able to achieve with anyone else.
    “Baby, I’m about to come,” he said, gasping as he pulled his mouth from mine. “I’ve got to… I’ve gotta… Oh, I’ve got…” He began muttering things I couldn’t understand as he tried to hold out a little longer. His eyes squeezed shut, and the muscles in his neck protruded like cords.
    The swirling pleasure inside me overtook everything, every thought, emotion, and sensation, and it felt like my brain was shutting off. It was a power surge, and I feared that I would not be able to withstand the oncoming blasts. Luke literally shouted as he came, like a wolf howling at the moon above us, his voice a long, lovely echo. The sound vibrated through his chest, right into me, intensifying my own orgasm. My whole body seemed to contract for a second, then exploded outward. I screamed, gasped, and cried out, too, simply because my body demanded release of the tsunami of passion swelling within me.
    I was trembling as I slid off him, my heart thudding in my chest, my breathing heavy and labored, as though I’d just run a marathon. A cloud passed in front of the moon, and the milky light around us dimmed, making the yellow glow of the candles seem even brighter.
    “C’mere,” Luke said, pulling me close to him. Again, he touched the side of my face, brushing away the tears. “You’re crying.”
    I curled up next to him and laid my palm on his chest. Still, his heart seemed to be beating in time with my own. “It’s not because I’m sad,” I assured him. “Please don’t think that. This has been the best night of my life, one I’ll never forget. Right now, I am happier than I’ve ever been. I didn’t think it was possible to even feel half that good. Even if it can’t last forever, I will always be grateful that I got to experience this, especially since I experienced it with you.”
    “No one knows what the future holds,” he said, stroking my upper arm. “This might be the last time we’ll be together for a little while, but we won’t be apart forever.” His voice was low, barely more than a whisper, with a tinge of happiness in it.
    I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe it would not be our last interlude, that fate would be kind enough to find a way for us to be a couple, even if he was leaving. “I hope you’re right,” I said.
    * * *
    As much as I hated to see Luke go, I was happy for his wonderful opportunity, and I tried to be supportive. I went with his family to the airport to see him off. “I got you a present,” I said.
    “Aw. You didn’t have to that, baby.”
    “I wanted to.”
    He grinned as he opened the box and pulled out a multicolored, cashmere tie. “Whoa! This is sharp, but it’s way too expensive,” he said.
    I cupped his face. “It’s for your new job. I thought you could use it.”
    He kissed my lips. “I love it! Thank you.”
    We stared into each other’s eyes. Again, I wondered what the future held, and I feared we might never be together again. His hands trembled, and we both had tears in our eyes. That parting would be the hardest thing either of us had ever had to do. I knew how much he loved me, but I also knew how much it meant to him to make something of his life. His happiness was the most important thing, and that was why I was willing to let him go, no matter how much it hurt. I just hoped he’d stay in touch with me every day, and I especially hoped he would someday come back.
    “I’m sure as hell gonna miss you,” Luke told me.
    I wiped another tear away. “I’ll miss you too.”
    “I love you.”
    “I love you