Page 42 of Smoke

“Because after what I saw tonight… I mean, I’m fairly sure I can handle anything.”

I laughed. “It’s not bad. I don’t think so. But it’s a shock, is all.”

“Fair enough.” He let it drop there, and I felt comfortable enough to let sleepiness overtake me again.

* * *

When I woke up,I was in bed. Alone. But I wasn’t alone in the room. I could hear breathing that wasn’t mine.

I sat up and looked around. There was a small lamp on a table in one corner, giving off just enough light for the person sitting by the table to see by. I had to squint to make out Smoke in an easy chair with a book open on his lap. His chin touched his chest.

It was about the sweetest thing I had ever seen—he fell asleep watching over me—but I could just imagine the crick he’d have in his neck if I left him there. I cleared my throat, and he jumped, looking around.

“Sorry,” I whispered with a smile. “I couldn’t leave you there like that.”

“It’s okay.” He closed the book and rubbed his eyes with a sleepy smile of his own.

“I guess I went out pretty hard, huh?”

“You were definitely asleep,” he chuckled. “Slept through the walk through the tunnel and everything. I carried you the whole way.”

“Oof. I hope I wasn’t too heavy.”

“You know you weren’t.”

“Why did you stay there, in the chair?”

He tilted his head to one side. “I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed when you woke up. And I couldn’t imagine spending the night alone, knowing you were on your own in here. I wouldn’t have slept a wink.”

I blushed. “You know I was comfortable here before, when I stayed with you all.”

“You’re not gonna let me get off easy, are you?” He shook his head, grinning. “I wanted to be close to you. I don’t want to be any further away from you than I am right now, whenever I can manage it.”

My cheeks burned warmer than ever, and the flush extended over my neck and chest. Along with that went the goosebumps that rose up over my arms and legs. He was so intense, so honest and true and strong. And he wanted me.

“Come here, please.” I held out my arms. I didn’t want to spend another minute in that bed without him.

“You’re sure?”

“Don’t make me beg. Please. I need you.”

We would’ve made love back at the motel if the guys hadn’t shown up when they did, but I was sort of glad they interrupted us. It was better there. More private. More comfortable, for sure. And it made sense to do it there, in his home, where he had lived for so long. It was right.

He didn’t wait until he got into bed to start peeling off his clothes. He kicked off his shoes without breaking eye contact, then pulled the black t-shirt over his head.

I had ogled him when he wasn’t looking for as long as I’d known him, but this was something else. Every line, every plane was perfect. Lean but thick with muscle, smooth but hard. Arms that could’ve easily crushed me and I would’ve let them, because what a way to go.

He stopped at his boxers and pulled back the blankets. Instantly, my body went on alert. My heart took off at breakneck speed while my nipples hardened into almost painful points. Wet heat bloomed between my thighs in anticipation of what was coming next.

“I wouldn’t ever want to hurt you,” he whispered as he slid in beside me, leaning over me as I stretched out on my back. He was so close, so warm and real and vital.

“You couldn’t hurt me,” I whispered back as I reached for him and trailed my fingertips down his throat. He closed his eyes as a groan escaped and sparked a blaze in my core. “Make me yours, Smoke.”

He groaned again—or was it a growl? I didn’t have time to decide before his mouth covered mine and crushed me, forcing my lips open.

I gave in joyfully, running my hands through his thick hair as his tongue plunged in and explored.

My body arched without my thinking about it, like something else was taking over. My need. It was so deep, so dark and untouchable. But he was touching it, peeling back layer after layer, undoing years of putting up walls and losing myself in my work. I wanted to lose myself in him. It was time.

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