Page 38 of Wedlocked

In our room, I didn’t bother putting her down, just walked into the closet where our open suitcases resided. After plunking her down, I grabbed the bikini she’d brought and then frowned. “Don’t you have a bigger bathing suit?”

“I thought you liked that one.”

I pursed my lips, considering what I planned. “Are you cold?”

She gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. “You mean I get to decide how I feel on my own?”

“Never mind. The hot tub is a bad idea.”

Her wide gray eyes rolled, and she tugged the bikini from my hand. “I can handle the hot tub.”

“It’s outside.”

“The water is probably at least a hundred degrees.”

I spread my legs, dropping my height so I could look into her face. “Would you tell me if you didn’t feel up to it?”

She sighed. Both her hands cupped my cheeks, her bathing suit still dangling from between her fingers. It smelled like chlorine from the last time I’d coaxed her into the pool for a lesson.

What if I hadn’t taught her how to swim at all…?

“Ry.”

My eyes refocused on hers, which were much softer than before.

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

I whispered. “You did.”

Her head bobbed, strands of wild, fiery hair brushing her cheeks. “I know, baby. I’m sorry. But I’m okay. I promise. You came after me, and I’m here. Let’s get in the hot tub. The water will feel good.”

“If you get cold, you’ll tell me.”

“I swear.”

Gripping the hem of her hoodie, I pulled it over her head, bringing the shirt under with it. She pushed her sweats down, revealing her small frame. Her underwear and bra were black, and I wasn’t sure if it made her skin look paler than normal or if it was because she still wasn’t warm enough.

The concern must have shown on my face because she caught my hand and pressed my palm against her belly, flattening hers on top. Her skin was soft and supple, warm to the touch.

“I’m fine,” she whispered. “See?”

Groaning, I reached for her with my other hand, circling her waist with my grip. Having her in my grasp unleashed warring feelings: satisfaction and hunger.

Both were powerful, and both created insatiable need.

She was so alive in my palms, and it was such a relief. But that dark desperation in me whispered it wasn’t enough. That I came too close to losing her, and feeling her in my hands wasn’t enough proof of life.

I needed more.

Her feet left the carpet when I lifted, and her thighs locked around my waist. Her arms wound around my neck, and I was kissing her with the kind of desperation only a close call like the one we had earlier could inspire. I drank her down, feasted on the life in her mouth, and tangled my tongue with hers.

Cradling the back of her head, I scratched into her hair, and she purred against my lips. Her fingers pushed into my hair and tugged as we continued to kiss, only parting once so I could change the direction of the kiss and assault her all over again.

Still kissing, I carried her out into the bedroom and laid her out on the bed. She clutched at me when I tried to pull away, so I pressed her into the mattress, using my body as her blanket. Her nails scraped down my spine and dipped below the waistband of my sweats.

Ripping my mouth from hers, I kissed over her jaw and into her neck. My nose nudged at her steady pulse, and then I kissed the spot, fucking thankful her heart was beating.

She turned her face farther, baring more of her neck. I latched on and sucked hard, harder than I needed to, and her legs wrapped around my hips as she whimpered while I marked her.

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