by Kris Norris
“We have enough. Hank just left with Kameron to go be Six’s shotgun crew for their convoy back here. By the time Hank insists on circling the damn city, it’ll be a good couple of hours. Come on.”
An arch of her brow and a rise of that beautiful stubborn chin.
Colt chuckled, leaning in close. “So, it’s picking up from last night, then?”
If he hadn’t been hovering a few inches from her face, he might have believed she had every intention of dumping him on his ass. Maybe a variation of her ninja move from earlier. The red hue that colored her skin. The increased breath. How her muscles tensed, fluttering the pulse point at the base of her neck.
All indicators she was preparing for a fight. Except her eyes. They widened slightly, the blue color darkening. More like stormy waves than crystal water. Her pupils expanded, the intense black slowly eating away at all that navy until only a thin rim shone around the edge.
And when he inhaled—it was all soap and citrus and sweet earthy musk. He’d recognize the scent of her arousal anywhere. It was seared into his brain. Just thinking about it gave him a ghosted taste along his tongue. Remembering how she’d unraveled in his arms last night. Her first climax hot and wet against his mouth.
Ellis released a shaky breath, dampening her lips with her tongue, and fuck. It took every ounce of self-control Colt had left not to lean forward and take her mouth in his. Open it up and dive in. Finally expend all the raw energy slowly driving him crazy.
She must have read his intentions. She pressed her lips together—shuffled back slightly. Not enough to break his hold on her elbow. Just a tiny separation. As if she’d needed the small distance to curb her own desires.
Colt didn’t move. Didn’t give her another inch. “Well, sweetheart?”
The corner of her mouth tightened. “I’m not sure I like this new version of you.”
Her voice had barely reached him and certainly hadn’t been loud enough for his buddies to hear. Not that anyone was really looking at them. They were gathered around the computer, voices sounding in the background.
He smiled. “Really? I could have sworn you loved the new version of me last night. Or are you trying to tell me you were faking it?”
Her eyes grew impossibly darker, the pulse kicking up another notch. She swept her gaze the length of him, no doubt noticing the firm press of his damn dick against his jeans. “I thought you alpha types could tell the difference?”
“Thought you operative types could lie your way out of anything?”
A snort then a smile. A huge one. She relaxed, shifting until she was just a breath away. “Get me into that room, and I’ll give you another chance to figure it out.”
Colt would not hike her up on his shoulder, pound on his chest, and stalk into the bedroom. No way. He had more control than that. Was capable of being discreet. Not broadcasting to his team that he was seconds away from ravishing the one woman who undid him. Reduced him to bare bones. Threatened to unravel a dozen years’ worth of training.
It took him several moments to get his damn lungs to breathe. To work out how to get her from the main room to the bedroom without drawing attention. To continue holding her elbow without pulling her against him. Drinking her in.
Imagining what would have happened if he hadn’t opened the door that fateful night helped tame his need enough to nod, motion to the hallway then gently guide her down it. He was even able to shift one hand to the small of her back. Just a soft steady pressure on her spine as they walked toward the door. He didn’t look behind him. Didn’t say anything, aware his buddies would catch the raw tone in his voice. The strangled words he’d barely be able to get out because all his senses were focused on Ellis.
On the warmth of her skin through her shirt. The flex of her muscles beneath his palm. The raspy wash of her breath as she stepped into the room. And they’d all know Colt was still on the edge, only now it was all centered on her. On holding off long enough to shut the door, take her in his arms and spin.
She inhaled as her back connected with the door, her body pressed firmly against his. No hesitation, just her hands spearing through his hair, her mouth lifting to meet his. He wasn’t sure if she was up on her toes or if she was using her hold to drag him down. Didn’t care because those perfectly full lips were on his. Tongue delving deep. And she was moaning.
Low, throaty sounds vibrating through his chest. Spiking his dick against her stomach. He thought he was already stiff, but those noises—all desperate and needy, as is she couldn’t get enough of him—punched him hard in the gut. Made him painfully more erect.
Ellis moved to his throat, nipping at his neck when he broke the kiss. “Clothes.”
Hell yeah. They had on too many of those. Shirts, pants, underwear. But damn, removing all of it meant lifting his hands from her body. Releasing the one tangled in her hair, the other cupping her ass, holding her tight against him And he wasn’t sure he had enough blood left in his brain to figure out how to do it. Enough willpower because that hair was silky soft all wrapped around his fingers. The brown color making her eyes look brighter. And her ass filled his hand. Strong. Full.
Colt managed to lift his mouth off her skin, stare into her eyes. Blasted with lust, they looked like large black pools, slightly unfocused. A pink hue infused her skin, deep pants raking across his chin. She was fucking beautiful.
He forced his hand out of her hair, mourning the loss until he found the button on her pants. Slipped it open then yanked on the zipper. He wasn’t sure if it opened or if the sound was the material ripping, but he didn’t care. It worked the same. The sides split apart, exposing an inch of skin above soft panties.
Her muscles jumped as he brushed his knuckles along the edge, tracing the line of smooth flesh. Christ, her skin was warm, the sweet scent of her arousal filling his senses.
Colt clenched his teeth, willing himself not to come just from the thought of sinking inside her. All the hot wet flesh surrounding him. He pulled away enough to look her eyes, hold her attention. “Bed.”
Her gaze shifted to the spot over his shoulder, where the bed was. Two breaths and a shake of her head. “Too far.”
Well, fuck.
That’s all it took to short circuit his brain. Send him into overdrive. A few swipes of his hands and her pants were gone. Pooled on the floor, or maybe torn into shreds. He wasn’t sure but it didn’t matter. Nothing but soft skin beneath his palms. Her panties were gone, too. Hopefully lying with the pants, but he’d buy her more if needed. Better yet, she could go without. Be a step closer to letting him inside her whenever he needed her.
Which seemed to be every second of every damn day.
Another few passes and his jeans were unbuckled, shoved down to his knees. His dick bobbing forward. Pressing hard and hot against her stomach. Ellis moaned, wrapped one thigh around his hips then levered up. She hadn’t moved her hands from his hair. Used it and her elbows on his chest to lift up, position him between her thighs.
One thrust. That’s all it took. A hard tilt of his hips and he was inside her. Balls slapping her ass, all that slippery fluid washing over him. Ellis inhaled, biting at her bottom lip as her head thunked against the door. Quivers clenched the length of his shaft, her chest pressed against his as she held her breath, poised on the edge. Waiting.
He grunted, latched his mouth on the spot behind her ear and bit down.
She exploded. No other way to describe it as her sheath contracted around him, that breath releasing on keening wail she muffled against his shoulder as her head fell forward, her fingers flexing in his hair. Her hips ground against him, her climax ripping through her until she hung limp in his arms, her heart tapping wilding against his chest.
Colt nuzzled her ear, kissing the slight hurt he’d caused. “Look at me.”
She swallowed noisily, taking two tries to lift her head, stare back at him. Those beautiful eyes peering into his. And he knew he was lost. That she’d forever hold his heart. His love.
/> He shifted. Lifted her up a bit higher, using his weight to hold her in place as he traced the line of her jaw with his fingertips. “Fuck, you’re beautiful. I…”
How could he say he loved her when he hadn’t come close to finding redemption? When her life still hung in the balance?
Ellis smiled, mimicking his touch with one hand on his cheek. “Me, too. Now, shut up and love me.”
Love me.
Those two words set him off. Had him thrusting up into her. Hard. Unrelenting. She clung to his shoulders. Heels locked at the small of his back, body rising and lowering with each punishing stroke. She chanted his name against his ear, urging him on, biting at the muscles cording in his neck.
Too much. The wet sounds as he pounded into her. The needy moans crushed against his neck. The slide of her skin over his as she shimmied from the force. It pushed him over.
A few more hard thrusts, and he was coming. Cock emptying inside of her in endless spurts. His face buried in all of that soft hair. The touch of citrus mixing with the sharp aroma of sex. The press of her fingers against his shoulders as she crested, again.
Colt leaned fully against the door, locking his knees so he didn’t take them both to the floor. Not that he thought she’d even notice. Her eyes were squeezed shut against his neck, her chest heaving as she gasped in air. Tremors moved through her arms, shivering down her torso, and he wasn’t sure how she held on.
“Brett.”
His name. Whispered. The soft sound loosening something in his chest. Warming it. And he realized it didn’t matter if she’d come to the same conclusion. If she was just as lost as he was. If she couldn’t picture her life without him in it. He believed enough for both of them. And he’d wait. As long as it took. Days, months, years. He’d gladly spend his entire life proving what they had was real.
Which meant making her comfortable. And pressed against the door, his body crushing hers, their combined releases soaking their skin, wasn’t seeing to that comfort.
Colt eased back. Not enough to lower her. He wasn’t quite ready for that. Just a few inches. “Shower?”
Christ, he really needed to get more than one word out at a time. Even though this new Ellis was an operative. Could hold her own against armed men. Could probably kick Colt’s ass if she really wanted to. She was still essentially the woman he’d cherished all that time in the service. Still highly intellectual. She needed words. Conversation. Him expressing himself, instead of barking out what sounded like orders because his damn brain was too fried to process more.
He’d spent so much time shutting down, holding everything tightly inside, that he’d forgotten how to let it go. Show her how he felt when the words wouldn’t quite form on his tongue, yet.
She chuckled, glazed eyes focusing on him. “You going to do all the work? Because I’m not sure I can lift my arms.”
“Promise. Hold on.”
He wrapped his arms around her—one at her waist, the other under her ass. Tugged her in close then turned, kicking his jeans and boxers off to one side as he headed for the shower still pressed together. His weakening erection still inside her.
Ellis inhaled, and her rough exhalation spoke volumes. Her body contracted a few more times before he stopped outside the glass doors, aware he needed to put her down. Get them both fully naked. Warm up the water first. Grab some towels. But damn, it was hard. Getting his fingers to lift from her skin, let his dick slide out of her sex.
Took him a few tries, but he managed it. Made quick work of turning on the taps and getting a couple of towels. Testing the water before motioning her in. She smiled, drew her finger along his chest, then stepped inside. Sighing as the water cascaded along her skin.
She made room for him, moving into his arms the moment he shut the door. And just like that, time stopped. Everything but the two of them encased in glass and steam fading from his mind. No threat. No men trying to kill her. Just her body tight against his. Safe. Loved.
Ellis slid her arms beneath his, palming his back as she pulled herself even tighter. She didn’t speak. Just stood with him beneath the spray. Content.
He smiled against her hair. “You know, eventually I’m going to get it right. Spend hours with you beneath my hands. My mouth. I might even manage to set the scene. Light some candles. Soft music in the background.”
She eased back. Looked up. “Or, you could take me, again, right here in the shower. Because all I really need is you.”
Chapter 20
All I really need is you.
Ellis had actually said it. Out loud. To Brett. All but confessed she was madly in love with him. That nothing had faded while they’d been apart. That her love hadn’t just been resurrected but intensified since falling into his arms. And she was powerless to stop it.
Didn’t want to, if she was being honest. Brett had grabbed her attention and her heart from the start. And she’d love the man until she died. No hesitations. No regrets.
Brett froze. Just stood there, water spraying across his skin, his arms wrapped around her. Breath held, his eyes focused on her. His lips slightly parted. His heartbeat echoed through her chest. Steady. Strong.
Then, he was moving. Dipping down. Capturing her mouth. Lips. Teeth. Tongues. Over her skin, down her neck. She blinked, and he had her lifted. Cradled in his arms as he turned, rested her ass against a shelf. It wasn’t enough to hold her, but he wasn’t letting go. Just bracing her against it, opening her to him.
He cupped one breast, her heart pounding against his palm. Her nipple beading into a hard point. He moaned, lowered enough to lick the tip—worship it then take it into his mouth. Hot. Wet. All that pressure, tugging hard. Calling an answering echo in her groin.
She ran her hands across his chest, up to his shoulders then into his hair. She needed his mouth on hers. Joined. She wasn’t sure if she spoke the words or if he just read her mind. Understood the incessant pull of her fingers because he released her breast, crushing his mouth to hers. Breathing into her as he notched his cock at her entrance then pushed forward.
One long hard stroke and he was in. Hips pumping, body moving against her. She wrapped herself around him, tilting into each thrust. Steam billowed around them. From the heat of the water. The warmth of their breath. The friction between them as he claimed every inch. Took everything she gave him then demanded more.
It was too much. His touch, his scent. The strong band of his arms surrounding her. Keeping her safe as he pushed her higher. Her surroundings faded. The sound of the water splashing against the glass. The bite of the tile at her back. Nothing but his skin on hers. His body moving inside her.
She arched against him, heat coiling tight in her core. Burning a path outwards until it fractured. Shattered. Splintered her into a thousand pieces. Pleasure searing along her nerves, scorching the ends, drowning her in blinding light.
“Now. Christ, El…”
He thrust harder, deeper, then he was coming. Emptying in a series of jerking spasms. Hips grinding against hers. His breath raking across her shoulder.
She held on. Fingers digging into his muscles. She wasn’t sure when she’d moved them from his hair to his back. It was just one long blur of time. Nothing really registering between when she’d asked him to love her until right now. She remembered hands and heat and her heart exploding inside her chest. All her love for him spilling out.
It was there in the way she clung to him. The tears joining the water washing down her cheeks. How she shook, not just from the release, but from the soul-deep realization that she belonged to him. That he’d been the part of her she’d been missing. Why she had merely existed all this time. Hadn’t been able to give herself to another. He’d had her heart, all along.
Brett squeezed her tight, shifting just enough to ease some of the pressure against her back. But he wasn’t letting go. Wasn’t putting her feet on the floor, asking her to loosen her hold. Somehow, he knew that she didn’t have the strength. The capacity to do more than tremble in h
is arms, everything exposed. Raw.
A kiss on her temple, followed by a gentle brush of his mouth on hers. “Easy, sweetheart. Not going anywhere. Just breathe.”
She wanted to tell him she was breathing. In. Out. Repeat. But it wasn’t helping. Wasn’t easing the tight feeling in her chest, making the black dots flitting across her vision dissipate. As if the oxygen wasn’t getting past the huge ball of emotion welling up inside her. The one threatening to have her sobbing out the words, “I love you,” over and over until she’d bled all of her doubts down the drain. Until it rang true.
His hold on her gentled. His hands smoothing over her instead of grasping. Locking her against him. He kissed her neck, lifting one hand to thumb her mouth as he straightened. “You okay?”
No. Not even close. Not when her emotions were laid bare for him to see. No hope of covering them up. But she managed a smile as she let her head fall against the wall. She tried to tell him she was fine, but the words died on her tongue. Just a soft sigh escaping.
Brett tensed, frowned, one large hand cupping her chin. Lowering it until she met his gaze. He watched her, staring as if she was his mission. A map he needed to memorize. A strategic plan he’d be executing later. All that hard focus directed at her.
Then, his eyes widened, his frown softening into a smile. And she knew, he knew. That she was crazy about him. That he’d upended her world. That anything she said to the contrary was just smoke and mirrors. A desperate attempt to safeguard her heart. To hide the fact she loved him.
He leaned in. Pressed a gentle kiss on her mouth. “Come on. A quick rinse then bed. Just until Hank gets back,” he added.
Not that she could have argued. Her limbs felt like mush. Completely devoid of any form of coordinated movement. She’d probably crumple on the floor of the shower if he let go. So, no, she wasn’t going to complain about spending an hour in the bed with him. Head resting on his chest. His arms holding her tight. Safe.