As he sucked her nipple deep into his mouth, he slid two fingers into her and pressed the heel of his hand against her clit, teasing and pressing and backing off until she was out of her mind.

The combined sensations built and grew and finally burst, sending Sydney spiraling into orgasm, sharp and hot and intense. By the time she returned to earth, he hovered above her, his cock poised at her entrance.

“Welcome back,” he said, looking down at her with amusement dancing in his eyes.

Sydney reached for him and tugged his mouth down to hers. “Now, Luke. Please.”

“How can I say no when you ask me so nicely?” He flexed his hips and sank into her in one deep thrust.

Sydney gasped and clutched his backside to hold him still as she struggled to accommodate him.

“Babe,” he said through gritted teeth.

When she released him, he withdrew and then pounded into her.

Sweat beaded on his brow and his breath came in short pants, but he never let up in the fierce possession.

“Come for me, Syd,” he urged. Reaching between them, he coaxed another explosive climax from her before he threw his head back and let himself go.

For a long time afterward, he rested on top of her, breathing hard.

Syd wiped the dampness from his brow and kissed his forehead. “Thanks for taking me in.”

He grunted out a laugh. “It’s a terrible hardship, but somehow I’ll get by.”

Chapter 16

Grant knew there was nothing to be gained by drinking himself into a stupor, but that didn’t stop him from trying. Whatever it took to find some relief from the relentless pain that had started when he saw his Abby with another man who seemed to think he had some sort of claim on her.

With the wave of his hand, Grant ordered another beer.

Chelsea, the bartender at the Beachcomber, set the bottle down in front of him. “You’re really slugging them back tonight, Grant.”

He graced her with his most charming smile. “I’m thirsty.”

“How’re you getting home?”

Shrugging, he took another big drink of beer. “I’ll call a cab.”

She scooped up the keys he’d left on the bar—keys to the motorcycle he’d borrowed from Mac. “I’ll hang on to these. Just in case you forget.” Leaving him with a saucy grin, she moved on to other customers.

Grant ran his fingers through his hair, contemplating the complete mess he’d made of his life. The more he drank, the worse he felt and the more he realized he had no one to blame but himself. He’d taken it all for granted—his career, his relationship with Abby, his future. Everything.

He had no idea how long he sat there staring at his beer bottle before someone slid onto the stool next to him.