Page 18 of Flint's Battle

He paused at the end of the hallway, arching a brow. She pointed to the door on the left, smiling when he kicked it open then continued through, walking directly to the ensuite before sliding her ass onto the counter.

He flicked on the light then scanned the room, easily finding a couple towels before adjusting the water then moving back to her. He stepped between her thighs, taking her in his arms as he rested his chin on top of her head.

She smiled against his skin, kissing his chest when the lump from earlier caught her attention. Though, it wasn’t just a welt, now. More like a smear of death across his flesh.

She hovered her fingers over it, straightening enough to stare up at him. “Damn, Flint, have you seen your chest?”

Though, that wasn’t the only mark. More bruises had blossomed on his shoulder, where he’d gone through that wall, not to mention hints of blood on the bandage circling his arm — from the graze he’d gotten while tackling her to the ground. “And your shoulder. Your arm. You’re a mess.”

He shrugged, acting as if it was nothing. “I’m fine. Gotten worse in training.”

“Don’t belittle what you did tonight. I still can’t believe you busted through a wall. Took two hits meant for me.”

“The first was directed at everyone, not just you. And that’s what backing you up means.” He tucked some hair behind her ear, and his face scrunched up a bit. “You act as if no one’s ever done that. Surely, you’ve had partners before.”

“No one I’ve ever worked with would have done what you did tonight. Talk about setting the bar high.”

“Then, you need better partners. Besides, I’m not the only one colored purple. In all the excitement I forgot this night started with you getting slugged in the cheek. All that running and tumbling hasn’t helped keep the swelling down. Or stopped it from bruising. How much pain are you in?”

“Compared to nearly dying? I’m fine.” She tilted her head to the side when he pursed his lips, creating creases across the bridge of his nose. He obviously didn’t believe her.

She smiled, dancing her fingers across his body. Damn, the guy was built. Thick bands lined his stomach, with bulges on his shoulders and arms. “You’re massive.”

His lips kicked up into a sinful grin. “I know.”

“Wise ass. I meant muscular but yeah, there too. Good thing I’ve been fantasizing about you for a month and was more than ready. Now, are we getting clean so we can get dirty again, or what?”

He braced his hands on the counter beside her legs, making all those muscles ripple along his torso. “Someone’s impatient. Maybe I like the view? You, still vibrating. Your skin all pink. You’re incredible, sweetheart.”

That endearment. It felt more intimate, now. Heating her skin until she was surprised it didn’t burst into flames. She’d never been affected like this before. But then, she’d never been around anyone like Flint.

She smoothed her hand up his chest, behind his neck then into his hair, tugging him down for a soul-searing kiss. All tongues and needy cries until he scooped her up, still kissing, and somehow stumbled them into the shower. Not stopping until her back hit the wall, his sheer size holding her captive.

She ate at his mouth, tilting her head to the side when he moved to her neck, licking and biting. Probably leaving another damn hickey like he’d done earlier. As if they were teenagers. Though, knowing she’d have a visual reminder of tonight shouldn’t excite her the way it did.

Flint made his way back to her mouth, giving her one more devastating kiss before physically pulling himself back. He shook his head as he gently placed her on her feet. “Damn, what you do to me. I want to howl to the moon that you’re mine.”

“Thinking the hickey’s proof enough I’m yours.”

His right eye twitched, just like in the car when she’d talked about hunting murderers and crime lords. As if he was holding something back. “A tattoo of my name wouldn’t be enough proof. It’s like I said earlier. Nothing’s quite enough where you’re concerned.”

She stepped into him. “I’m familiar with that feeling. You…” She wet her lips, wondering if he’d taste as wild as his personality. If she could bring him to his knees the way he had to her.

Flint chuckled. “Emery. Sweetheart I suggest you grab the soap because if you keep looking at me the way you are, right now, we might not make it to the bed for round two.”

She reached down and ran her hand along his length. “Beds are overrated.”

He tsked. “Oh, no. I want you comfortable, this time.”

“I was perfectly comfortable on the counter.”

“Good to know, because I might have to bend you over it tomorrow.”

The thought had her closing her eyes on a low moan. The man was definitely going to kill her.

Flint took that as a sign to grab the soap and start running it across her body. By the time he’d cleaned both of them, she was strung tight. On the verge of climbing on top of him and shoving him insider her — riding him until they were both spent.

She must have moaned his name because he tossed the soap aside and claimed her mouth. Not like before. This was raw. Unbridled. The kind of kiss that shattered doubts. Had her all-in inside a heartbeat.

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