Chilled (Bone Secrets, #2)(97)

Lifting up, his mouth moved to the side of her neck, grazing his teeth up to her ear. His fingers slid out, moved around her clit again, and she shuddered. He ran his tongue along the edge of her ear, and she rose up on her knees. Taking his cock in hand, she guided him to her entrance. Her breath came in short gasps, and she tilted to ease his way. So hot, so slick. With one hand he grasped her shoulder, pulling her securely to him, lightly sinking his teeth into her ear and ramming home.

She inhaled, nails sinking into his chest. The little stabs of pain helped him find a measure of control. He held still for three seconds until she started to move on top of him, settling into a rhythm. A fire built at the back of his spine, and he clenched his jaw to keep from exploding into her. He slid a hand down her stomach to touch her again, tease her. Her knees dug into the mattress as she sucked for air.

“Alex.” His name was a soft gasp as her contractions clamped around his cock. He plunged deep, letting go and filling her as he hoarsely uttered her name in prayer.

Brynn opened her eyes and found Alex’s steel gaze watching her. She blinked, surprised she wasn’t startled to wake up next to him. Warmth flowed over her as she remembered last night’s activities.

“What time is it?” She stretched. A real bed.

“Six in the morning.”

“Have you slept?”

“Off and on. Each time I wake up, you’re still here. I tried to stay awake to simply look at you and enjoy having you next to me.” His lips curved into a smile that touched her heart.

Alex rolled onto his back and reached for a mug on the nightstand.

Brynn shot up. “Is that coffee?” She leaned over him, inhaling deeply through her nose, her stomach growling at the rich scent. It was black, she noted. He likes his coffee black.

“Want some?” His eyes were innocent.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You need to learn to not get between me and my first cup of coffee each morning.”

He stilled, his eyes widening a fraction. “I will?” he asked quietly.

“You will what?”

“Each morning. Not get between you and your coffee.”

She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “I’d like you to,” she whispered, knowing they weren’t talking about coffee.

“You barely know me.”

She shook her head. “I know plenty. You’re a man who cares about others, risks his life for people he barely knows and fights to find truth when he knows something isn’t right.” She held his gaze, pulling the words from her heart. “I know your brother’s death hurt you deeply, but I swear you came to peace with it while we were out in the woods. You had the chance to kill the man who killed your brother. Instead, you risked your life to save him. You joined our group for your own purpose, but you became a part of our tight-knit little family. Even Thomas likes you. Thomas doesn’t like anybody.”

Alex coughed and grinned. “You think so?”

She nodded.

“You’ve given this some serious thought.”

“I have. I had to figure out why I fell for you within days, when I’d been with Liam for years and never felt as I did in the woods. Locked in that tiny plane with seven other men, you were the one who attracted every sensor in my body.”

Alex looked at her, transfixed.

She blinked hard.

He gave a slow smile as he sat up, put his coffee back on the table, pulled her head close, and kissed her softly.

“The first time I saw you in that dripping rain, a fire lit inside me. Something flared that’d been cold since Samuel’s death. You made me feel alive, and I didn’t recognize the feeling. It’d been too long.”

He ran a finger down her cheek, following it with wondering eyes. “I was so focused on that killer, I’d shut out everything good in my life. I couldn’t remember what it’d felt like to be happy or content. You made me want to be the man I’d been years ago. The man I thought I’d never be again.” He pressed against her, and arousal flared in her veins.

She rested her hand over his heart and marveled at the powerful, rapid beats. “I don’t want you to be empty again,” she whispered.

“I’m only looking forward,” he promised. His gaze held hers in its steel grip. “I see myself bringing you coffee every morning for a very long time.”

She swallowed hard, happiness tightening her throat. “That sounds perfect.”

His grin widened. “And I’ve always wanted a dog…”