Fever (Breathless #2)(81)

She was his. She truly belonged. To him.

Her thighs shook, her entire body quaked. Desire rose, sharp and edgy. Overpowering. Her climax built into a crescendo that was nearly deafening. The roar in her ears. The pounding of her heart. She screamed hoarsely and then his shout of triumph joined her cries.

He leaned into her, buried deeply, his chest heaving with exertion. He kissed her neck. Her jaw. Then her lips, his breaths mingling with hers.

Dimly, she became aware of the water still rushing over them. The steam was choking, the air so moist it was hard to breathe in.

“Christ,” Jace muttered. “You undo me, Bethany. How the hell am I supposed to even move now, much less finish showering and get to work?”

She smiled against his neck and then let her body slide down the wall until she stood on shaking legs.

“Guess I’ll just have to finish washing you,” she murmured.

“Oh hell no,” he grumbled. “I’m going to wash your hair and then kick you out of my shower. If you put your hands on me again, we’ll never leave the bathroom.”

Her grin broadened and she leaned up to kiss his firm jaw. “I’m not going to argue with a man who wants to wash my hair for me.”

Chapter twenty-nine

When Jace’s car pulled up to her apartment building, he acted as though he were reluctant to let Bethany get out. He held on to her hand for a long moment before leaning over to kiss her. Fierce. Possessive. She struggled to pull in a breath when he finally released her and his gaze glittered, his eyes going dark and sultry.

“I’ll be over when I finish at work.”

She nodded and then opened her door.

“Be careful. The rain is picking up. I don’t want you to get wet.”

She smiled. “A little rain never hurt anyone, Jace.”

“Still, it’s cold. I want you inside quickly so you don’t come down with something.”

She leaned back in to kiss him and then she got out and as he’d requested, she made a dash for the entrance, dodging raindrops as she went. A burst of laughter escaped and she marveled at how happy and light she sounded. She turned just inside the door to see Jace’s car pull away into traffic and she stood staring until it disappeared from sight.

She was about to push in and go up to her apartment when she heard her name.

Frowning, she turned and to her shock, Jack stood a few feet away. He was wet and bedraggled, carrying only his tattered backpack.

“Jack!”

His name came out as a whisper and then she hurried forward, stepping once more into the cold drizzle.

“Jack, what are you doing here?” she asked. “How long have you stood out here?”

He gave her a half smile. “Wasn’t sure when you’d be back. I had the doorman ring up to your apartment yesterday but you weren’t here. So I hung around, hoping to catch you.”

“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry.” Her voice was stricken. And guilt flooded her. While she’d been happy and warm, celebrating the holiday with Jace and his family, Jack had been here, waiting for her in the cold. No place to sleep or be out of the elements.

“Nothing to be sorry for, Bethy. If it’s not a good time, I can come back . . .”

“No!” she said fiercely. “Come inside. You need to get out of the cold. I had no idea you’d come. I’d hoped you would. If I’d known, I would have been here.”

She took his arm, dragging him toward the entrance. When they met the doorman, she thrust her chin up, daring him to pass judgment.

“This is Jack. He’s my brother. I’m giving him a key. If I’m not here and he needs in, you’re to let him pass.”

The doorman respectfully nodded. “Of course, Miss Willis.”

She hurried Jack toward the elevator and winced as he dripped all over the inside. He was shivering and he looked even thinner than the last time she’d seen him. Had he been eating anything at all?

She should have looked after him better. Should have made more of an effort to make sure he was taken care of. She had so much now and it killed her to think of Jack still on the streets. Not when she could provide a place to stay and food to eat.

“Nice place,” Jack muttered when she shoved him inside her apartment.

“Yeah, it is. Go into the bathroom and take a hot shower. I’ll lay out some of Jace’s clothes. They’ll be big on you, but they’ll at least be warm and dry.”

Again that crooked grin as she bustled him into her bedroom.

“Jace the guy who hooked you up with all of this?”

Bethany softened, a smile curving her lips. “Yeah. He’s a good man, Jack. The best. I’m . . . happy.”

Jack reached out to touch her cheek. “I’m glad, Bethy. You deserve to be happy.”

“So do you,” she said fiercely.

His smile was sadder this time. “I’m sorry about what happened. I never meant for you to be involved.”

“I know,” she said in a soft voice. “Now go. Get a shower. I’ll fix you something to eat, okay?”

As Jack disappeared into the bathroom, Bethany pulled out a pair of Jace’s jeans and one of the T-shirts he’d left in her apartment. She found a pair of socks that would fit Jack, wanting his feet to be warm. Shoes. She needed to buy him new shoes. The ones he wore now were threadbare, the soles coming off and there were holes. They were no barrier to the cold.