Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(47)

Small droplets of water had bled through the dangerously thin fabric, turning spots of it black. I could see every outline of his rigid physique. My eyes trailed over his chest then downward to the thin athletic shorts that I knew had nothing underneath them. I swallowed. Hard.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

My gaze trailed back up to his face. His hair was ruffled and wet, sticking out in all directions. He reached up with both hands and smoothed it down with his fingers and in turn, slightly lifted the shirt to reveal his sculpted abs.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” I was hardly fine. “It’s kind of strange seeing you in that shirt. That’s all.”

“I could take it off?” A touch of humor teased his lips.

I cocked my head and smiled. “Keep it on. I was just grabbing some sheets for you.” He walked toward me, and reflexively, I stepped back to maintain a safe distance.

“Need any help?”

“Sure. Grab those two pillows on my bed then follow me.”

As he grabbed the pillows, I slipped out of the room. He followed behind me and helped make up his bed. I tucked the sheet under the cushions then grabbed a couple blankets from the basket next to the TV. I tossed them on the couch and assessed his size. He wasn’t going to be able to sleep lengthwise, and I felt bad about it for a second, but the only other alternative was sleeping next to me, and that wasn’t going to happen. He would make do; it had to be better than sleeping in his car.

When he sat down on the couch, his eyes reflected a new serenity. “Goodnight, Di. I’ll see you in the morning.” He looked at me and grinned.

“Night.” I smiled. “Feel free to watch the news or something. Don’t worry about falling asleep with the television on. I like the extra noise.”

“Okay,” he said.

I walked into my bedroom and locked the door. I grabbed another of Gabe’s shirts and held it to my nose. I inhaled deeply. No trace of him remained in it; it smelled like fabric softener. I put it on anyway and got into bed. I grabbed a fist full of covers and curled onto my side. While I waited to fall into the void, I got lost in my thoughts.

I went over everything Stephen and I had discussed and fixated on one detail, repeating the problem and the solution over and over. I didn’t like not telling Vance what was going on. It would be difficult to do, but I rationalized it was for his protection, even though he would be mad when I came clean. I saw his face. The anger would make the two veins in his temple throb, but once I explained everything, he would understand. Of course, he’d understand.

I ran through the conversation. I mulled over the words, jotting them down mentally then warmth radiated on my hip. A hand was touching me. I was momentarily startled, but then my heart seemed to rush to the spot being touched, knowing who it was.

I turned over and saw Stephen’s face. I hadn’t detected the faintest noise of him entering. And how had he gotten in anyway? I thought I’d locked the door. Either way, I was glad I hadn’t heard him. It would have given me enough time to talk myself out of what was about to happen. He reached for my face and brought my lips to his. Logic tried to weasel its way in, wagging its righteous finger. “Stephen,” I breathed, but he only pressed his mouth firmly to mine, hushing me in the whisper of his breath. There was no need for words. It was useless; there was no way to stop what was going to happen. I was powerless to resist him.

Lying slightly on his side, covering me with only half of his body, he forced my lips open with the gentle thrust of his tongue; every touch and every lick drugged me into a euphoric state. He was champagne and strawberries. He was chocolate and cheesecake. He was the sweet juice of a ripe peach dripping off my chin. He was every delicious thought I could conjure, and I devoured him.

He broke his lips from mine and started on a course downward. He began sucking the pulsing divot at the base of my throat. His hand on my hip moved to cup my backside, bringing me closer into him, and I slid my thigh in between his legs. His course hairs taunted my flesh.

His hand trailed up my back, and the sweet sensation made me quiver. He caressed my ribs and gathered my shirt in his grasp, tugging it over my head. Then he removed his shirt, and the heat and comfort of his skin was all around me. His knowing hands slid across the silken skin of my belly then eased lower. His thick fingers slipped between my folds, graceful and precise. I arched my head back and moaned, savoring his touch.

I moved my body against his hand. I was about to leap and selfishly take the moment I craved when he stopped. His fingers, soft and wet, left a cool trail up my side, leaving a dull pain pulsing at my core. He stroked up my body and caressed my breasts with the same tortuous hand. He covered my tightening flesh with his mouth, sending tingling pulses out into my fingers and toes. He licked and sucked, working me into a frenzy. I tried grinding my body into his, to release the tension building between my legs, but he saw my avarice and lifted himself off me slightly, showing me who was in control.

Him. He was in control—controlling me.

I had never experienced what I felt in that moment. I was completely lost. I looked up at him, and he smiled down. Then, his face changed. In the blink of an eye, it was Vance hovering above me.

I gasped and seconds later, my alarm sounded. I grabbed my phone and shut it off. I lay there, breathing deeply and trying to shake the images from my mind. I stared at my closed door, hoping beyond hope that I hadn’t been making noises loud enough to hear.