Page 129 of Eight Count Heat
"I know." I press harder on the accelerator, the campus entrance now visible ahead. "Almost there."
The remainder of the drive passes in tense silence, both of us vibrating with unfiltered need. By the time I pull into the parking lot behind the team house, Reese is practically squirming in her seat, her scent filling the car with honey and sunshine and desperate want.
I kill the engine and round the car to open her door, offering my hand to help her out. She takes it, legs unsteady as she stands, and immediately presses against me.
"I need you," she breathes against my neck, hands already working at my shirt buttons.
"Not here," I manage, even as she nips my earlobe with her teeth.
But instead of listening, she pulls me down into a kiss that obliterates every rational thought. Her tongue slides against mine, still carrying the taste of me, and I'm lost. My hands tangle in her hair as I press her back against the car, grinding against her through our clothes.
"Upstairs," she gasps between kisses, but makes no move to separate from me.
"Yeah," I agree, but instead of heading for the door, I trail my mouth down her throat, finding the spot that made her arch in the bathroom.
Somehow we manage to stumble toward the back entrance, still kissing, hands roaming frantically over each other's bodies. I fumble for my keys with one hand while the other grips her hip, holding her against me while she grinds her hips against my thigh.
The door swings open and we practically fall inside, too caught up in each other to care about stealth or discretion. Her back hits the wall in the hallway and I’m immediately on her, one hand sliding up her thigh to push her dress higher.
"God, I want you," I growl against her mouth.
"Then take me," she challenges, nipping at my bottom lip.
I'm reaching for the hem of her dress when a throat clears loudly from the direction of the common room.
"Well, well, well." Beckett's amused voice cuts through our haze like a bucket of ice water. "Look what the cat dragged in."
Reese freezes against me, but I don't step back. Let him see. Let them all know she's mine, at least for tonight.
"Monroe," I acknowledge, not bothering to move away from her.
"Captain. Cox." The grin is audible in his voice as he takes in our disheveled appearance. "Good dinner with the family?"
"Outstanding," I reply, finally glancing over at him. He's sprawled on the couch with a book, clearly having waited upfor our return, though whether out of concern or curiosity is anyone's guess.
"Glad to hear it." His eyes flick between us, taking in Reese's flushed cheeks and swollen lips, my rumpled shirt and the obvious evidence of what we've been doing. "Your room's all set up, by the way. Team effort."
I blink, momentarily thrown. "What?"
"Extra water bottles by the bed. Clean sheets. Protein bars in the nightstand." He shrugs like it's nothing, but there's genuine warmth in his expression. "Bo's idea. We figured you two would be... hungry... when you got back."
A rush of unexpected emotion tightens my throat. The genuine support from the team, from men who should be rivals in this situation, is something I didn't expect and am not sure I deserve.
"Thanks," I manage, the word inadequate for what I'm feeling.
Beckett waves dismissively. "Just doing our part, Captain. Now get our cox taken care of before she catches fire."
He returns to his book with exaggerated nonchalance, effectively dismissing us. I don't need to be told twice.
Without breaking eye contact with Reese, I sweep her into my arms, carrying her toward the stairs. Her surprised laugh echoes in the stairwell, but she doesn't protest, just wraps her arms around my neck and presses her face against my throat.
"I can walk," she murmurs against my skin.
"Faster this way," I reply, taking the steps two at a time despite her weight. She's light, her small frame fitting perfectly against my chest, but the effort still leaves me slightly breathless by the time we reach my door.
Or maybe that's just the anticipation of what comes next.
I set her down gently so I can unlock the door, but the moment it swings open, she's pulling me inside, her mouth finding mine again with desperate hunger.
