Page 26 of The Verdict

Get out. Leave it and get out.My instincts screamed. There were too many questions I’d never get answers to if I couldn’t stop myself from wanting her.

I strode into the kitchen, releasing my breath the instant the plate touched down on the counter.Now get out.I turned, prepared to retreat, when a soft sound stopped me. A moan—my name.

“Rhys.”

The soft sound oozed from the bathroom like honey, sweetand sticky and thick as it wrapped around me.Had she heard me come in? Why did she wait until now to say something?

“Yeah?” I croaked, but not loud enough for her to hear, so I moved to the door, my fingers resting hesitantly on the wood like I was about to walk into Pandora’s box.

“Yes, Rhys.”

No.

“Dios mío, yes.”Her rich moan of pleasure gripped me like a hand around my throat.

Fuck.

She wasn’t calling for me—the real me; she called the imaginary me as she pleasured herself.Fucking fuck.Heat poured like molten lead into my veins, weighing all my limbs until all I could do was reach up and grip the doorframe, my muscles shaking as I held myself back.

Her moans dragged like nails along my skin, scoring my flesh into something painful and raw. I wanted to be responsible for them. I wanted to hear all the sounds I’d been starved of that night when we’d fucked against the door. My dick hardened to steel, throbbing for another taste of her—throbbing for a release that I’d denied since that night, foolishly unable to want anyone but her.

And knowing she was naked and wet, her hand buried between her thighs, andmy fucking nameon her lips… I sucked in deep, unsteady breaths. Going in there wasn’t an option. It wasn’t. Not if I wanted to come out alive.

“Yes, oh yes.”Her cries got louder, her impending release taking hold. “Yes, Rhys.”

Lust-laden rage pumped through me. She didn’t get to moan my name unless my fingers were the reason. She didn’t get to scream my name unless it was my cock inside her.

No.I shoved myself back, distantly realizing I’d pushed the bathroom door wider in the process. I needed to get out ofthere. I’d fucked her once under questionable circumstances; I couldn’t again.

I made it through the bedroom to the exit, but I wasn’t fast enough. The sounds of her climax slipped into the narrow stairwell like spies tempting me back to their treachery.

“Fuck,” I spat and moved quickly to the main hallway, slamming the door behind me and repeating the word like a chant rather than a curse. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I dragged my hands along my scalp, digging in my fingers like I was stopping myself from losing my goddamn mind.

While she was chasing relief, I fought for restraint because it was the only way to get answers.

“Rhys.”

I froze and then slowly turned, meeting Harm’s heavy stare. “You’re back.”

“So are you,” he rumbled and approached. His eyes never moved from mine, but somehow, it seemed like he saw it all. The guest cabin. Her.The truth.“Let’s chat.” He jerked his head toward the elevator. “Dare and Ty are waiting.”

He’d been looking for me… and I’d been in her cabin.

“Yeah.” I dipped my chin. “I was just dropping off food and some of Rob’s clothes.” My tone was firm, but even the facts sounded weak compared to the truth.

“She okay?”

Safety was always our first priority. Our duty to protect superseding all else.

“Yeah.”

That was the last word spoken until we reached Ty’s office. Dare positioned himself on a chair in the far corner. Ty stood behind his desk, arms crossed, anda photo of Wheaton and Merritt was up on the screen.

“I think we’re all up to speed on our new guest,” Harmbegan and looked at me. “This is your case. What are you thinking?”

“She didn’t kill him.”

Dare let out a low grunt that translated into disagreement.

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