Page 60 of Phoenix

Chapter 15

Nora

I took my time in the shower, letting the water wash over the top of my head and onto my face. I used my time in the pool to gather some clarity.

I like Case Carmichael. A lot. Too much, really.

Everyone has known this from the beginning, it seems. I’ve just been in denial. He’s too easy to care for. He’s too easy to trust. And people are too easily gone from your life.

His job could guarantee that.

His need to be the hero could take him from this world.

The way it took my parents from my world.

But my body craves his in a way that is too difficult to explain. It comes alive under his touch and I can’t ignore it.

I should walk away. We had last night. We gave in to get it out of our systems, but I already want more.

I had hoped a swim would take that away, but it seemed to only intensify it.

I take a breath, finish the rest of my shower, get dressed in my shorts and T-shirt, then I step out back into the room.

He’s sprawled across the bed, remote resting on his chest, fast asleep.

I take a moment to really look at him with his perfect lips and strong jawline. His beautiful skin and blondish brown hair.

He’s the epitome of my type. I knew the minute I saw him in Amelia’s hospital room last year, and then when we were finally able to talk? Dead. I was a goner.

Which is exactly why when he tried to kiss me, the night we played poker, I refused him. I could fall too easily for a man like that...and his hero complex terrifies me.

I carefully lift the remote from his chest and shut off the TV, leaving me in pitch-black when I slide into the bed with him.

I lay on my side, facing away from him and pull the covers up over us both.

It doesn’t take long for me to feel him move. To feel him roll toward me and encase me in his arms.

I can feel his desire pressing into my backside, and I push back against it, delighting in the hiss that leaves his mouth. His hand glides up my stomach, over my breasts and to my throat where he holds me.

It’s a powerful gesture. One that causes me to melt into putty, ready to be molded by him.

He kisses my cheek, then I turn my face to him and allow him to capture my lips in a kiss.

We don’t talk.

We don’t think.

We just let our bodies take over and give in to the carnal desire we both crave from one another.

Morning comes too soon. I don’t want to leave the warm cocoon that is this bed with this man.

It didn’t take long after that first kiss last night for him to undress me from the waist down and pull me astride him.

I rode him slowly until release shattered through my soul and I saw stars.

Then we slept, unmoving until this very moment.

I feel him shift a bit and kiss the back of my neck as he curls in around me.

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