Chapter 42
His mouth was on mine, harder this time. One hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me closer. I could feel his breath against my cheek, warm and fast. His fingers moved down to my waist, steady, firm. The fabric of his shirt I was wearing shifted under his touch.
I didn’t think. I leaned into him, my mouth parting instinctively. A soft moan slipped out of me before I could stop it. My thighs pressed together as I felt that tight, aching pressure build. His hand moved along my ribs and then paused just above my hip, holding me there,
He kissed me deeper. Slower. My eyes stayed shut. I could barely breathe, but I didn’t want to pull away. Everything else went quiet. Just the sound of him, the way he tasted, the way his thumb stroked the edge of my jaw.
Then his hand slid up, brushing the side of my neck. He hit a sore spot. I flinched.
He stopped immediately.
His mouth left mine, his breath still shaky. His eyes searched my face.
“Shit,” he said. “Sorry.”
I blinked, trying to clear my head. My lips were still tingling. My body felt like it had been lit up then suddenly unplugged.
*I didn’t mean to “He backed off, letting go of my waist. “You’re hurt. I shouldn’t have done that. I got carried away”
He stood up and ran a hand through his hair. His jaw was tight again, but he didn’t look at me.
“I’m gonna take a shower,” he said, “You should rest. I won’t be long
I gave a small nod. My voice didn’t want to work anyway. He walked down the hall and disappeared into the bathroom. A few seconds later, I heard water running.
I sat there, still curled up on the couch, wearing his shirt. The blanket had slipped off my shoulders, but I didn’t bother pulling it back up. My skin was warin. My whole body felt like it was buzzing.
v ribs.
I brought a hand to my lips. They felt swollen, sensitive. My heart was still thumping against my
What the hell just happened?
1 stood up and crossed the room to the kitchen. The floor was warm under my hare feet. I poured a glass of water and held it with both hands, the glass cool against my skin. I took a slow sip and leaned against the counter.
The sound of the shower echoed faintly from the hall. The water had been on for less than a minute, but it felt like forever.
I didn’t know if I felt embarrassed or just confused. My whole body still wanted him. I could still feel the weight of his hand on my hip. the heat of his mouth. But now I was alone in the quiet, trying to get my breathing back to normal.
I went back to the couch and sat down again, pulling the blanket up this time. I drew my knees in and stared at the fire. It cracked softly in the silence.
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. My lips still tingled.
The bathroom door opened.
He stepped out, steam rolling behind him, towel slung low on his hips. His chest was bare, droplets of water still clinging to his skin, running down over the sharp lines of muscle, across his abs, disappearing into the towel. His hair was damp, a few dark strands falling across his forehead. He ran one hand through it, slicking it back
My mouth went dry. –
He looked unreal, like something out of a dream, or maybe a threat. His shoulders were wide, skin flushed from the heat of the shower. He brought the towel up to rub the back of his neck, water still dripping from his collarbone. I watched the way his arm flexed as he dried off, slow and casual like he didn’t even realize what he looked like.
Or maybe he did.
He moved to the dresser and pulled on a pair of black sweatpants. No shirt. He didn’t need one. His skin still gleamed, especially across his chest and lower stomach. He turned slightly to the side, grabbing a shirt and throwing it onto the chair instead of putting it on.
His eyes flicked toward me.
Chapter 42
He didn’t say anything right away, just looked–like he was waiting
Then he nodded toward the bed. “Aren’t you coming?”
My stomach flipped.
He sat down on the mattress and leaned back against the pillows, eyes still on me. His voice dropped lower,
“Nothing’s going to happen to you here, I won’t let it.”
I stood slowly, pulling the blanket around my shoulders, still wearing his shirt underneath. I crossed the room, heartbeat loud in my ears, and slid in beside him.
He turned toward me, eyes scanning my face. One hand came up, brushing hair from my cheek. Then he leaned in closer, inspecting the bruising near my temple, the thin bandage.
His brows drew together. His jaw clenched like he didn’t want me to see how much it bothered him.
“You’re still swollen here,” he said quietly. His fingers hovered near the edge of the bruise. “And your lip does it hurt when you move
Only a little.”
He didn’t look convinced. He was still watching me like he couldn’t stop checking, like maybe if he looked long enough it would fade.
I studied his face. The tightness around his eyes. The way his mouth pressed into a thin line, like he was holding something back,
“I’m fine.” I said, even though I wasn’t.
He shook his head. “You’re not. I should’ve gotten to you sooner.
I reached out, my fingers brushing the center of his chest. His skin was still warm from the shower. I traced a line down the middle without thinking. He didn’t move.
“I want you too, I whispered.
He stilled
“What?”
I met his eyes. “Even if it’s just for tonight,” I said. My voice was quiet but steady. “I want you to fuck me.”
E
