His gaze doesn’t break, but his voice does. “You need to make a choice.”

The words tumble out of my mouth effortlessly. “Find me.”

With his hands cupping my face, his lips press against mine as he crosses the threshold. When the door slams closed, the energy changes—three days of anger, longing, and doubt rip through us. Jackson’s hands hold my face tight as he pours himself into the kiss, giving me every emotion through his mouth.

The growl emanating from his chest travels straight to my core. Every part of me is alive and desperate for him. I grab at his shirt, unbuttoning it as we move into the house. I want to feel his skin, need to feel the warmth and heat of his body against mine. But he has other ideas. Jackson twists his fingers in my hair and tugs, causing a loud moan to escape. He doesn’t hesitate as his tongue enters my mouth roughly, each stroke edging my need up and out of control. He’s pushing me back as I’m pulling him closer. I grab onto his shoulders. I’ve missed his touch.

Jackson slams me back against the wall. He breaks the kiss, ripping off my shirt and drinking me in as his tongue slides across my lips. My hands reach out to grab him, but he grips my wrists and holds them above my head. Jackson crushes his body against mine. The ache to have him grows with each second.

“Did you miss me like I missed you? Do you know how hard it was every f**king day fighting the urge to see you? How many times I had to stop myself from coming here and breaking down your goddamn door?” he asks against my ear, causing goose bumps to form everywhere.

Before I can respond, his lips are pressed against me, tongue probing for the answers I wasn’t able to give. He has me pinned, completely at his mercy, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. It baffles me how I could’ve turned this man away.

Jackson moves his knee between my legs, further restricting my movements. Warm lips descend to my neck as he nips and kisses. I hear his phone ring but neither of us stops or cares. All I’m thinking about is him touching me. I rub against his leg, trying to create some friction to relieve the pulsing between my thighs.

He grips my hips. “Not yet, baby.”

With my hands now free, I begin to roam his body. His shirt is still half buttoned. I grip the sides, ripping it open and sending buttons flying across the room. My fingers trace the hard, taught planes of his chest, enjoying the feel of it rising and falling heavily. Leaning forward, I use the tip of my tongue, running it from the middle of his chest up to his ear. He braces his hands against the wall as his head drops to the crook of my neck. Jackson’s breathing is labored and I’m savoring how much I’m affecting him. It’s a heady feeling to have such power over a man like him.

I reach his ear and graze the edge. “Jackson,” I softly whisper, “show me how much you missed me.” I smile against his ear before he becomes ravenous.

His tears my bra off, then lifts me with his leg and rips my pants and panties down. I quickly remove his pants and start to push him toward the bedroom, but he grips both wrists in his one hand, pressing me back on the wall. His other hand slips between us as he circles my clit.

“I’ll f**king show you, baby. You’re soaking wet for me.” Jackson moans as he slips a finger into my pu**y. “Did you miss me, Catherine?”

I try to pull my hands away, but he grips them harder, keeping me at his mercy. “I want to touch you.”

Jackson inserts a second finger. My legs buckle, but he holds me up easily. “I’m going to make you remember why you’re not allowed to run anymore.” His voice is primal and demanding. “You want to be found, baby?” Jackson’s thumb presses against my clit, eliciting a long moan as my eyes roll back.

Does he actually want me to answer? I’m incapable of speaking let alone answering any questions right now. With his one hand still restraining me and the other doing incredible things to my pu**y, he leans forward and licks his tongue around my nipple. He brings it into his mouth, teasing and sucking. I writhe against him but get no relief.

“Jackson, please!” I’m begging for everything. I feel everything, everywhere, and I need to release. It’s too much. My head falls back as the sensations threaten to overwhelm me.

“Are you going to push me away again?” he asks forcefully while he twists his fingers and presses on the bundle of nerves with his thumb. My vision becomes fuzzy as he increases the pressure and bites down on my nipple.

“Oh God.” I’m so close. My impending orgasm is right there and I’m desperate. I move my hips, trying to get there. Jackson releases his thumb and withdraws his fingers. My eyes open in protest.

Jackson releases my hands, grasps my legs, and lifts me while rubbing his c**k against my sex. “Wrap your legs around me. I want you to come when I’m inside of you.” I comply as he thrusts his dick inside me. His eyes roll back and he takes a second before he begins to move. “Fuck. You feel incredible.” His voice is thick with pleasure.

Incredible doesn’t begin to explain how I feel. I’m in complete ecstasy. All the days of being apart are gone. I’ve never been more with him than I am right now. We are one. Our bodies are connected and I’m giving myself to him in every way. My heart will never be mine again. Every fiber of my being is screaming I love you. The three words are on the tip of my tongue, but I bite them back. It’s too soon to tell him how much he owns me. With every push, I fight hard to keep them to myself. But I hope one day he’ll feel the same.

Jackson pushes deeper, slamming my back against the wall. It’s pleasure and pain combining, taking me higher toward release.

“Are. You. Going. To. Run?” He enunciates every word in between thrusts. “Tell me. Tell me you’re mine!” It’s anger mixed with hunger and need. When I don’t respond, he stops moving and stares into my eyes. “Don’t f**king run from me again!”

“Jackson!” I call out as he pounds again, harder. I swear I’m going to black out from the pleasure overload. As soon as I reach the brink, he slows, holding off my orgasm. “Please,” I beg.

“Answer me,” he demands, holding me against the wall and refusing to move.

“I’m yours!” I cry in out in frustration. “Now move!” Each nerve in my body is burning. I’m shaking, on the verge of tears.

“Damn f**king right you are.” He lifts me slowly, gradually increasing his pace and adjusting his h*ps to ensure he hits every nerve while his c**k rubs the sweet spot inside of me. He grinds his teeth, trying to hold off his own orgasm. “Let go, Catherine.”

As my muscles coil, Jackson rears back and plunges hard, causing my orgasm to rip through me. “Yes! Jackson!” I shriek over and over as he f**ks me until he finally releases.

I’m pressed against the wall as we both try to slow our breathing. That was the best sex I’ve ever had. Then I realize why it felt so different—no condom. Jackson slides out and kisses the top of my nose. I love when he does that. It’s sweet and tender. Our eyes meet before I go to the bathroom to clean up. When I come back, Jackson’s sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.

“Well that was one helluva a hello.” I laugh as I sit beside him.

His shoulders are hunched even after I sit. “I didn’t plan that.”