Her whimper is sharp, breathless, and fuck, I can’t hold back any longer as her movements become more desperate. My body is right there with her, coiled tight, the tension unbearable.

The moment stretches between us, pulsing and electric, until neither of us can hold back.

She gasps my name as she shatters. I follow with a deep, ragged groan tearing from my chest as I fall over the edge with her.

Silence lingers, thick and sated, nothing but our heavy breathing filling the space between us.

I let out a breathless laugh, glancing down at the mess on my stomach. Fuck. It’s been a long time since I acted like this. Not since I was a stupid, hormone-drunk teenager.

The silence between us is thick with satisfaction. Our breathing slows, the lingering heat ebbing into something softer.

Magnolia exhales a contented sigh, her lips curling into a lazy smile. “That was…” she trails off, shaking her head like she doesn’t have the words.

I chuckle, still catching my breath. “Yeah. It was.”

She laughs. “Damn, you have a filthy mouth. I love it. I needed that.”

I smirk as I look back at the screen. “I needed it too, babe.”

She shifts against her pillows. I brace my elbows on the desk, holding the phone tighter, like that could somehow bridge the thousands of miles between us.

She tugs the blanket higher, fingers curling into the fabric. “I can’t wait until I can touch you again.”

I swallow hard, my voice coming out rough. “Me either, babe.”

She sighs, eyes flickering over my face. “I hate this.”

“It’s the worst.”

I watch as she tucks her chin, curling deeper into the warmth of her bed, her breathing slowing like she’s drifting. But she fights it, blinking hard, refusing to let sleep steal these last few minutes from us.

“You’re exhausted. Go to sleep.”

“Not yet. I… I don’t want our call to be over yet.”

It hits me low and hard, this need to have her with me.

“Nothing’s over. This is temporary.”

Her eyelids flutter, a drowsy smile tugging at her lips. “Say it again.”

“This is only temporary. Soon, you’ll be here, and I’m never letting you leave again.”

Her sigh is so soft, I almost don’t hear it. “Mmm. I like that plan.”

I watch her a little longer, waiting for the moment her breath evens out, for the telltale shift of sleep pulling her under.

It’s only after that I whisper, “Goodnight, favorite.”

Her response is barely audible. “Goodnight, big guy.”

The screen goes dark, and the hollow, gnawing weight of missing her is still there, sitting heavy in my chest.

Soon isn’t soon enough.

Chapter 5

Alex Sebring