Uncovering You: The Complete Series (Mega Box Set) (202 page)

“Wow,” he murmurs. He sweeps my hair back and tilts his head down to look at me. “All that, huh? Damn, you’re one lucky girl to have netted someone like me.”

I punch him in the gut. “Watch it, buddy!”

He laughs, then without warning, sweeps me off my feet and kisses me hard.

A fire erupts in my belly. I grip his hair and pull him into me. I open one eye to find the couch and pull us back toward it.

We fall in a heap, with him on top of me. His hands run over my body. He grips my legs, my back, my ass. I can feel his arousal growing strong. It presses into my tummy, and the most overwhelming need to have him inside of me washes over my body.

It’s a need that was absent last night.

“James!” I gasp as his mouth trails down my neck and finds my breasts. He buries his head in my cleavage. I arch up into him, granting him further access.

He pulls my shirt apart. My body is revealed to him. He sucks in a reverent breath and starts kissing all the exposed skin.

My breathing becomes fast and hard and shallow. Little gasps escape my lips as he sucks on my breasts. He kneads them with his hands. Scorching lust and desire shoot through me.

I want his cock.

“Stop,” I say.

He freezes. His head turns up. His pupils look like enormous black saucers surrounded by a strip of green. “Are you okay?”

“Let me ride you,” I breathe.

It takes about a half a second for him to process the words. Then he shakes his head as if in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“James, I fucking want you,” I breathe. “I
need
you.”

“Can you handle me? Last night…”

“Forget last night. Fuck last night. Last night doesn’t matter. I felt different. Right now… I want to be in control.”

James is beneath me in a flash. I straddle his legs and shoot him a desirous smile as I reach through his trousers and pull his cock out.

It’s full and thick and pulsing with blood. It feels alive and amazing and rock hard in my hand. I stroke him quickly, communicating the speed I want to go at.

His eyes fill with lust. He tugs my panties aside.

I position him at my entrance. The head of his cock rubs against my wet folds. I roll my hips, teasing him with the movement.

But I’m also testing the waters for myself. I have to know I’ll be able to handle him.

I think I can.

James’s eyes widen when I sink down onto him. I go all the way. He fills me to the absolute max, but unlike last night, when it was painful, this time, it’s perfect.

He grips my hips. Our eyes meet. He gives the slightest of nods.

I start to bounce my hips. He groans in pleasure. I get lost in the moment and speed up. I ride him hard and fast. I moan and give way to ecstasy. It ripples through me with every glide
of his thick, full penis. He fills me, and I shudder against him.

He grabs my hair and pulls me down. He seals my mouth with a heated, lustful kiss. My hands go to his chest for balance. He tugs me closer and deepens our connection. Our tongues swirl against each other, and I ride him hard.

I get only the briefest of warnings before the orgasm hits. It rushes into me and explodes against my body. I cry out and shatter into a million pieces around James. Then I hear his roar, and feel his hot cum filling me. My core clenches around him. I extract every last bit of pleasure from the climax—his and mine.

I fall forward against him. That weakness is back, but it’s nothing compared to the bliss I feel. I stay on him for just a moment longer, loving the extra connection between our bodies. He looks at me with lazy eyes and smiles. Then he brushes my hair out of my face and peers up at me, full of adoration and bewilderment and love.

“You truly are the one for me,” he whispers. My heart swells at the declaration. “And I want you to be mine forever, Celeste.”

A tiny bit of sadness seeps into my soul. But I smile back and kiss him lightly. “I will be, James. For as long as I’m here.”

22.

We clean up and shower together. I have no appetite for breakfast, despite it previously being my favorite meal of the day.

I look at the hanging clock. Two hours until my appointment.

James sees me looking. “I’m coming with you,” he says. “I want to know the second you do.”

I nod absently. “Okay,” I say.

In truth, I was really wondering where Summer is.

“Do you want to go back to my place?” he asks. Then he seems to catch himself and chuckles. “My
other
place, I mean.”

“Actually, I think I’d rather wait for Summer.”

“Did you two talk last night?”

“Yeah.”

James waits for me to say more, but I’m not ready to volunteer extra information.

“Okay,” he finally nods. “So—here or there?”

“Actually…” I hesitate. I don’t need James here when Summer returns, but I don’t want him to think I’m pushing him away again. “Actually, I’d rather wait for her. But there was a lot said last night, so do you think…”

“You want me to give you two some privacy,” he finishes for me.

“Yes,” I breathe in relief. “That would be perfect, James. Do you mind?”

“I don’t like leaving you,” he begins. “But no. I’ll let you girls talk.”

I rub his arm. “Thanks for understanding.”

“Do you want me to come back for you? I can drive you to the hospital.” He glances out the window. The sky is clear but there’s frost on the windows indicative of the outside cold. “I know it’s close but I’d rather you not walk.”

I smile. “You’re sweet. Yes, you can come back for me.”

“K.” James plants a peckish kiss on my lips. “I’ll be down by the entrance in two hours. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t,” I promise him.

He picks up his jacket and leaves me alone in the apartment.

23.

As soon as James is gone, I pour myself a cup of coffee. I know I’m supposed to avoid stimulants unless absolutely necessary, especially after my last run-in with caffeine, but the effects of sleeping so little last night are starting to kick in.

I shelter the mug in my hands and let the warmth of it fill me.

I sit down and take out my phone. I wonder what’s taking Summer so long. I check for messages from her. There are none.

I hope she’s not avoiding me.

I text her.

Me:
Hey, when are you coming home?

It rings a second later. I jump, startled.

She never answers so quickly.

I look at the caller ID and see that yeah, she’s calling.

I pick up right away. “Hey, Summer.” I begin, full of excitement.

“Ms. Adams?” A monotone female voice speaks in my ear. It’s not Summer.

“Yes?” I say, confused.

“Hi. I’m Officer Melissa Cooper with the Chicago Police Department. There’s been an accident.”

24.

I race through the hallways of the hospital with James on my heels.

I see the ICU sign up ahead. I get to the doors but they’re barred.

I grab a nurse by the arm. “Please,” I say. “My friend’s in there.”

She looks at me, making no attempt to hide her scrutiny. “And you are?”

“Celeste Adams. Please,” I go on my toes to peek through the little window. I can’t see anything. “My friend, Summer Blair
is in there. I need to see her.”

The nurse looks up to James and then back to me. “We can’t allow that,” she says. “You’ll have to wait in the lobby. I’m sorry.”

She starts walking away.

“Wait,” James says. “Can you at least tell us her condition?”

“Are you family?” the nurse asks.

“No,” I pipe up. “But I got a call from Officer Cooper who said—“

“Oh!” The nurse’s eyes light up. “Yes. I know who you mean.” Her face does not betray her emotions. “I can take you to the officer.”

“Thank you,” I say. James nods.

We’re ushered to a private, empty room. There’s a bed off to the side. It looks exactly like the one I escaped from yesterday.

“Hey,” James takes my hand. “It’s going to be all right. Don’t worry.”

I nod absently. Neither of us know anything about what happened other than the scant details Officer Cooper provided over the phone. There was a crash. Summer was involved.

That’s it. We don’t know if her condition is critical or not. We don’t know shit about how bad her injuries might be.

I pray they’re not life-threatening.

But at this point?

I really have no idea.

James starts bouncing his leg up and down. I can tell he’s as anxious as I am.

I turn over my hand to grip his. I give a tight smile. He nods.

Not long after we sit down, the door opens and a policewoman walks in. James and I both stand.

“Hello,” she says. She extends her hand. “I’m Officer Cooper.”

I take it. “Celeste.”

She looks at James in question.

“This is James. My boyfriend,” I tell her. She gives a slight nod, and shakes his hand.

“Should we sit?” she asks.

“Yes.” I plop back down on the chair. Officer Cooper takes the other one. James leans against the side of the bed.

“Nobody’s telling us anything?” I blurt out. “I need to know, how’s Summer? What happened to her?”

“She was involved in a collision late last night.” Officer Cooper says. “She’s alive and currently stable.”

I exhale. “Oh thank God.”

“There are still some things I need to discuss with you.” She glances at James. “In private, please.”

“James can hear anything I have to say,” I tell her straight away.

But he’s already on his feet. “I’ll wait outside.”

Officer Cooper gives him a thin smile. “Thank you.”

He walks out. I’m left alone with the officer.

My palms are sweating.

“Ms. Adams,” she begins. “The reason I called you is to ask you a few questions. It won’t take very long, but it would help with our investigation.”

“Of course,” I say. “But I don’t understand, why is there an investigation in process?”

“Your friend’s blood alcohol level was three times over the limit,” she says. “We also found circumstantial evidence that makes us believe the crash was… premeditated.”

“What?” I ask. “What do you mean, premeditated? How could that be?”

“We found a note at the crash site. It was addressed to you.”

“And? What did it say?”

“I don’t mean to be insensitive, but… It was a suicide letter.”

My vision darkens. A hollow ringing sound in my ears.

I feel like passing out.

“Ms. Adams?”

A suicide letter. From Summer?

My world feels like it’s crumbling in on itself.

“Ms. Adams.”

A suicide letter addressed to me.

“Ms. Adams!”

“What? What, sorry.” Officer Cooper’s voice brings me back to the present. “Suicide? Are you certain?”

“Yes,” Officer Cooper gives a solemn nod.

“Summer… you said she’s stable? I mean, is she
stable
stable, is she going to live, or…”

“Paramedics arrived quickly to the scene. She’s in good care now. The doctors are doing everything they can for her. I’m sorry, but that’s all I know.”

“When did this happen?” I whisper.

“Some time between the hours of three and four this morning.”

My gut clenches, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.

Between three and four.

That’s exactly when I jerked awake feeling something was wrong. Could I have known…?

No. Of course not. There’s no such thing as premonition.

Still.
Still
. Something woke me last night. At exactly the same time as Summer… crashed.

“It’s my understanding that you saw her last,” the officer says. “Is that right?”

“Yes,” I say softly. “I…I think so. She left to see—“ I bite my tongue. “To see a friend.”

“Did Summer give any indication of being distressed? Did any of her behavior seem… off to you?”

Everything about Summer seemed off, I think.

“She was… upset,” I say. “But she wasn’t suicidal!”

“Some people hide it well,” the officer tells me. “Could you tell me about your relationship with her?”

“She was a… friend. We were friends, that’s it. Roommates. We were best friends growing up.” I can’t seem to focus on the words leaving my mouth. All my thoughts are with Summer. “Can I see the note? She left it for me.”

“Not at this time, no,” Officer Cooper says. “It’s part of evidence collected at the crash site.”

“Evidence? Evidence for what? Are you building a case against her?” I bark an uncertain laugh. “She was drunk and she crashed. What type of evidence do you need?” I get up. “I have to see her. I have to know if—“

“Ms. Adams. Please sit down.”

“No!” I say. “No. I want to see my friend—“

“You’ll be given the opportunity after she’s released from the ICU,” she tells me. Her expression softens. “Please. I only have a few more questions, and then you’ll be free to go.”

I look from her to the door. I don’t have to be here. I’m not under arrest. I’m doing this out of my own free will.

“Fine,” I mutter, and sit back down. “But you have to tell me what this is about.”

She hesitates, then makes up her mind. “Two other people were injured in the crash,” she says. “A young mother and her daughter.”

“Oh my God,” I gasp.

“They’re both alive, but in critical condition. Your friend is being charged with an aggravated DUI. Depending on whether they live or die…

“The felony could become vehicular homicide.”

“No!” I exclaim. “Summer would never… she would never…”

I can’t finish. She would never kill somebody else, not on purpose, but her behavior definitely puts people in harm’s way.

“She was going through a lot,” I finish lamely. “Her emotions were all over the place. That’s all I know.”

“Thank you, Ms. Adams,” she says. “You’ve been very cooperative.” She stands and holds out her hand again. “I appreciate your time.”

25.

Once outside I run to James and collide into him. I hold him tight.

He hugs me and strokes my hair.

I start to cry.