Free Suddenly Love by Carly Phillips

they had—but inside, she couldn’t deny there was a flicker of hope. She wanted more, and he’d done his best to indicate that he did, too.
    But ever since he’d returned from talking to Alex earlier, Trevor had been more withdrawn. “Would you mind if we went back to my hotel room?” she asked, knowing that even if they spent tonight together, it would be easier on her if he left in the morning. That way she could just fall apart instead of having to be the one to walk away.
    “Sure.” He sat by her side in the town car, but unlike their last few rides, he kept his hands to himself.
    Another bad sign.
    She fingered her small bag, her nerves getting the best of her until finally the driver pulled to a stop in front of the hotel. A doorman immediately stepped up and opened the car door, then stood back and waited.
    Lissa exhaled a long breath and turned to face him. “Thank you for taking me with you tonight. It was a pleasure to spend time with Alex and Emma, since they both mean so much to you.”
    The evening had also filled out her article in immeasurable ways, but she wasn’t in the mood to bring up business.
    He smiled at that. “When I was younger, they helped me feel welcome, Alex in business and Emma on the social side.”
    She nodded in understanding, then reached for his hand. “Trev, I’m so glad we had this time together.” It was more than she’d ever dreamed of and less than she wished for deep inside.
    “Does this mean you’re not inviting me up?” he asked, his voice gruff.
    She swallowed hard. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to come.”
    His blue eyes darkened. “I probably shouldn’t, but I’m selfish enough to want more. I want tonight,” he said, his voice hoarse.
    Oh, he was definitely preparing for the end, she thought. A far cry from the man who’d faced her earlier. But she wasn’t ready to ask questions she didn’t want the answers to yet. So, though she knew she’d hate herself for prolonging things, she met his gaze and nodded.
    “I want that, too.” She slid out of the car before she could change her mind, and held out a hand, indicating he should come, too.
    The next few hours were the most beautiful and the most painful of Lissa’s life. Trevor held her hand as they made their way upstairs to her hotel room and locked the door behind them.
    He undressed her slowly, taking his time because they had all night. What they didn’t have was a lifetime, and that was the only thing that would satisfy the yearning inside her. Still, she wanted these last moments and she made sure to recall each and every one. His strong, tanned hands gliding over her skin, his dark hair as he bent over her, his mouth taking her breast and suckling and teasing, torturing her until her need was so great, she thought she’d come from that alone.
    He worked his way down her body, making love to her with his tongue, worshipping her in the way only a man could, replacing memories of them at seventeen with those of a night stolen out of time. One that belonged to them alone.
    And by the time he lifted his body over hers, poised for entry, she’d already come more times than she could count, yet she still hadn’t had enough of him. She never would.
    With his gaze fused to hers, he nudged at her opening and slowly eased his way inside, making sure she felt every last inch, every ridge, every thick hard part of him. Only when he thrust home, so deep she knew he was touching more parts of her than he’d ever reached before, did he lose control.
    “Lissa.” Her name a groan, he pulled out and thrust back in, her own moisture creating a slick haven for him to pound in and out of her, bringing her up higher and higher.
    She tried her best to hold back her emotions, to take the ride and just feel everything inside her and process later, but the tidal wave of feelings he created was too great.
    “Trevor.” His name came out on a sob, triggering his release.
    He didn’t hold back either, murmuring