But all I could think about was Reid.
I squeezed my eyes shut, water streaming down my face. I was trying so hard not to read too much into things and get ahead of myself. But when a man looked at you as though he’d burn the world to keep you safe, it was hard to stay grounded.
I’d hoped the shower would help me get my head on straight, but using his toiletries only made it worse. Now I smelled like him.
After I dried off, I put Reid’s clothes on and felt even more surrounded by him.
My breath shuddered as I dragged it into my lungs, my pulse racing.
This wasn’t just gratitude. And I didn’t think it was only due to hormones either, though those were definitely in play.
My reaction to him was too strong. He’d pulled me from the rubble, but now I was in way over my head in a different way…and I didn’t want to climb out.
7
WRECKER
Steam curled from the bathroom door when it creaked open, drifting in lazy ribbons through the cooler air of my room. I looked up from where I was seated at the end of the bed, boots planted wide, arms braced on my thighs.
Peyton stepped out barefoot, and I froze.
Her hair was damp against her shoulders, and my shirt hung from her frame like a fucking gift-wrapped fantasy. The fabric swallowed her, the hem brushing the tops of her thighs, the sleeves too long, and the collar slouching off one delicate shoulder to reveal her smooth skin and a teasing strip of collarbone. She looked fresh, and her skin was flushed from the heat. Or maybe she’d been thinking about me. Either way, my cock noticed before my brain had a chance to issue a warning.
“You trying to kill me, baby?” I rasped, voice wrecked from the sheer force of holding back.
Her cheeks went pink as her gaze flicked to mine, then away. She fidgeted with the hem of the tee, twisting the material between her fingers. “This was the only thing you gave me to wear.”
“Did that for a reason. I like seeing you in my clothes.”
The blush deepened, and she bit her lip, her violet eyes flickering with heat. That was all it took. My control frayed like a cut wire.
I was on my feet and across the room before she could suck in another breath. She backed into the wall, eyes widening as I loomed over her. I planted my palms on either side of her head, trapping her there without touching her. My gaze dropped, and I watched her chest rise and fall, fast and shallow. When I looked up at her eyes again, her pupils were blown wide. Those bright violet eyes were locked on me with something between awe and anticipation.
“You look so fucking sweet like this,” I muttered, dipping my head. “So fucking innocent."
She shivered, and I felt the tremor all the way to my bones. Unable to hold back anymore, my mouth slammed down on hers.
The kiss started hard, hungry and desperate. My mind shouted for me to be gentle, but lust coursed through my body, my blood roaring in my ears and drowning out the voice of reason.
Then she melted into me, her hands clutching the front of my shirt, her mouth opening on a soft, needy whimper. I took full advantage. Plunging my tongue deep, I claimed every inch of her mouth. She tasted like desire, along with cinnamon and something unique to only her. It was fucking addictive.
When her knee brushed my thigh, I grabbed her hips. “Put your arms around my neck, baby. Don’t wanna hurt your shoulder.”
When she’d done as I’d instructed, I hoisted her up. She gasped, her legs locking around me as I pressed her tight to the wall. The scent on her skin was mine and drove me half feral.
“You don’t get it yet,” I growled against her mouth. “But you will. I’m gonna ruin you for anyone else. Make you come so hard you forget your own name.”
She moaned, and it sounded like pure sin. My hand slid between us, fingertips finding the hem of the shirt covering her and yanking it up. A low, primal groan rumbled out of me when I realized she wore nothing underneath.
“Fuck, Peyton,” I hissed, burying my face in the curve of her throat. Her skin was hot, still damp from the shower, and softer than anything I’d ever touched.
My hands cupped her ass and pressed her closer as I ground my erection against her, hard enough to make her cry out. Then my other hand slipped between us, my fingers dragging through her folds, finding her slick and ready. I teased her sweet pussy until she was panting and trembling, digging her nails into my shoulders like she wanted to claw her way inside me.
Her climax hit fast and sharp, her whole body clenching tight around my fingers. She came with a cry that echoed around the room and vibrated in my chest. I kissed her through her release, groaning against her lips and damn near losing control.
I was seconds away from fucking her right there—wall, bed, floor, didn’t matter—when a sharp knock shattered the moment.
I froze, my breath caught halfway in my throat, my eyes locked on Peyton. She was panting, her cheeks flushed, hair mussed, shirt askew and clinging to her curves like a fuckin’ dream. My hand was still between her thighs, drenched in her juices.