Page 43 of Bones

Amazing how quick that was…

“I’ll leave my phone with you so you can deal with that today. Your bank should have an online chat you can use.” He hesitated before his tone turned stiff. “You’d rather go, I’ll cover your expenses.”

I put my hand on his arm and shook my head.

Misunderstanding, his eyes narrowed before he looked over my head toward the window. “You can’t just roam around with no money, phone, or clothes?—”

His words cut off abruptly when I moved my hands to his face so he’d look at me. His brows shot up until they practically reached his hairline before his lids drifted closed. Before his shoulders visibly relaxed.

Before he leaned into my touch.

I wonder if he’s lonely out here in the middle of nowhere, just him and his demanding dog. It would explain why he’s been so welcoming to a stranger.

Grudgingly, I released my hold to write.

No, I don’t want to go.

He looked like he might argue, so I told him the full truth.

I want to stay with you.

One second, Deke was in front of me. The next, he was across the room. He barely looked over his shoulder as he said, “Gonna shower and get ready. Eat that breakfast.”

And then he was gone.

CHAPTER SEVEN

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DEKE

That was close.

Too damn close.

When Aurora had touched my face, the frayed thread of control I clung to nearly snapped. Not for the first time that morning—hell, that minute—I’d wanted to kiss her. And I almost had. I’d been seconds from yanking her close. Tasting those pretty swollen lips. Forcing her to tell me what’d made her flush so prettily when we first sat. Demanding she touch me more.

Touch me always.

Touch meeverywhere.

It was a miracle I’d been able to get across the room without her seeing the very visible evidence of what she did to me.

Locking myself in the bathroom, I started the shower despite the fact I’d just taken one the night before. I hurriedly undressed and climbed into the water before taking my hard dick in my hand.

I’d done that the night before, too.

As the hot water had beat down on my sore, tense muscles, I’d stroked myself. Aurora’s image in my head had been so clear, it was like she was in front of me. Under me. It’d been so real, I could almost feel her. Taste her sweetness. Feel her rapidheartbeat pounding within my own chest. Touch the warmth of her skin as she grew wetter for me.

I’d been on the edge of exploding when realization set in and guilt followed. She was real. Not the faceless, generic woman I used to see when I’d imagine my mate. She was an actual person who was likely confused and terrified.

And I was a sick bastard.

Because that sobering thought hadn’t done a damn thing to lessen my need for her, I’d had to crank the shower all the way to cold. Even then, it’d taken too long for my dick to go down.

That was why I’d opted for a shower rather than just leaving. I knew the demanding hard-on would last and my control wouldn’t.

With icy water blasting down on me again, I forced myself to release my hold when all I wanted was to bury it inside my mate. I stayed under the water until my control returned before getting out to dry off and redress.

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