“Yes...” she whispered, embarrassed. “Best view ever.”
A slow smirk curled on his lips, and his eyes, dark and intense, roamed over her body with a quiet hunger. “So the shower wasn’t as relaxing as it could’ve been.”
Her head shook, the words caught in her throat, desire firing through her veins.
“You’re one of a kind, Shannon Colter.” His voice was rough, a hint of something possessive as his hand ran through his damp hair.
His biceps flexed, the muscles rippling under his wet t-shirt as beads of water rained over him, playing with the sexy dimple in his cheek.
“Let’s get you dried off and fed. It’s been a long day.”
He placed his hand on her back and walkedwith her, exiting the cubicle together. He reached a fluffy towel from the heated rack and wrapped it around her, kissing her forehead.
When he stepped back, peeling off his damp clothes, she just stood there, staring—utterly captivated.
Fuck, she was a mess, and he looked like a god.
“I can’t believe that just happened.” She palmed her face, a rush of heat spreading up her neck, the burn of embarrassment and desire flooding her.
When his gaze settled on her dripping hair, and red eyes, a hint of amusement curling his lips, her heart skipped.
“You’re not having much luck today, are you, love?”
“Maybe my luck has changed.”
“Oh really? What makes you say that?” He prowled closer.
“Being here with you seems pretty damn lucky. Maybe you can kiss it all better.” Her words came out in breathless gasps.
Jamie’s forefinger tilted her chin upward.
“I don’t want you to push me away again. So I’m taking my time with you, love. I’ve left out one of my t-shirts and a pair of sweatpants. When you’re dressed, come downstairs for dinner.”
She folded her arms, disappointed. “Is that what you really want? To slow things down?”
“I feel like I should, Shannon. It’s like I can see the darkness hidden in your eyes, like you’re lonely and broken, and I have this intense fuckingneed to find all your scattered pieces to put you back together, stronger and happier than you’ve ever been. I want you to smile from the moment you wake up to the moment I kiss your eyes closed.”
He tilted his head, then pressed his lips to hers. Their bodies didn’t meet, his distance a deliberate restraint. The heat of his quick kiss lingered on her skin, a featherlight promise of something more.
“I don’t want to take it slow. Please don’t look at me like I’m fragile, like something you have to tiptoe around in case I break. I’m not that person. And you should know how much I appreciate you for being you. What I need right now is that guy who showed up at my loft and let me fall asleep on his chest. None of this—” She waved her hand at the marbled bathroom, “—matters to me.”
As he stood there, staring back at her, she couldn’t tell whether he would kiss her again or walk away. But after a beat, he took a step closer, his chest bumping into hers.
His mouth crashed over hers with so much hunger that she groaned in a willing surrender.
Jamie was an unrelenting wave of adrenaline that built inside her, more intense than even the thrill of being in the saddle. Her passion for riding had always been unrivalled… until now.
He rivalled it.
“Do not push me away this time,” he warned, nipping her bottom lip before pulling away.
She smiled up at him, her lashes fluttering as shewhispered, “I won’t.”
He tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear, his gaze serious.
“You’re going to tell me who gave you those bruises, or this ends here. And I need to know why you told me to back off and why you fainted earlier. No more secrets.”
42
