Alex ate two Big Macs, a supersize fries, and a Coke. Then fell promptly to sleep in the Suburban on the way to the hotel.
Brynn shook him awake as the deputy pulled to a stop. People in the lobby stared at the dirty and disheveled group. In a stupor, Alex checked in and said good night to Ryan, Jim, and Matt at the elevator. He held on to Brynn’s hand, unable to let her go.
They stumbled into his room. Alex immediately showered while Brynn called the hospital to check on Tyrone and Liam. He considered shaving, but there wasn’t a razor in the little kit from the hotel, just a toothbrush and toothpaste. He brushed for ten minutes. No razor was a good thing, because he might accidentally cut his throat in exhaustion.
Alex stared at his pile of filthy clothes on the floor in the bathroom and shrugged at his lack of clean clothes. He slipped his arm back into the sling, grabbed a robe off the back of the door, and stepped out of the steamy bliss into the warm room. Brynn had cranked up the thermostat.
“Liam’s gonna be OK,” she announced. “Tyrone too. The hospital’s gonna keep Tyrone for a couple of nights but will release Liam in the morning.” She gave him a quick kiss, pushed past him, and closed the door to the bathroom.
Alex looked at the closed door. Then looked at the bed. He dropped his robe and slid under the covers naked.
Fuck, yes.
Crisp, clean sheets. Four pillows. And lots of blankets. Heaven. Groggy with fatigue, he instantly fell asleep.
He woke as Brynn slipped into bed beside him. She smelled of fresh soap, damp hair, and woman.
She was in his bed.
That thought was enough to bring him fully awake.
He turned her to him, just as he had that night in the airplane, and she nestled her head into his chest with a sigh. He brushed the hair off her cheek and ran his hand down her back, in shock that she was next to him.
And man, oh man. She was naked next to him.
He pressed his lips against hers, running his tongue along her top lip and then catching her lower lip between his teeth, eager to get closer. She leaned into the kiss, responding fervently. He kissed her deeply then moved up her cheek, tracing the path his eyes had followed a dozen times. He felt her lips press against his neck, and she gave a tiny jerk, then giggled.
“You need a shave. It’s soft but tickles my lips like crazy.”
“No razor.” He gave a slow grin, holding her gaze. “No clothes, either.”
“Is that a problem right now?”
“God, no.” He moved back to her mouth, and her hips moved against him. She shifted closer, lifting her leg to run her bare foot up his calf. The sensation raced up his leg to his spine, and hot desire shot through his nerves.
Her hand moved to his stomach. And bumped his right arm.
“Ah!” He froze. Stars danced before his eyes.
“Oh! I’m sorry. Crap.”
“This isn’t going to work, is it?” He pulled his good arm over his eyes.
“Don’t even think about stopping!” She pushed up on one arm. “I’ve been waiting three days for this, and I’m not going to let that shoulder put it off any longer. We’ll make it work.”
Alex uncovered his eyes and studied her. “Three days?”
She sniffed. “The first day I thought you were an aloof, cold fed.”
“And after that?” His ears perked up, eager for her reply.
“I thought you were interesting.” She rolled onto her back, copying his position, looking at the ceiling.
“Interesting,” he echoed.
“And kinda good-looking.”
“Kinda?” He raised one brow.
“With a hard, incredible body.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and gave a sly grin.
“How could you tell through four layers of clothing?” Pleased, he rolled her on top of him, loving the feel of her naked skin on his. She carefully avoided his shoulder, placing her hands on the bed by his neck, as his erection pressed at her. Her pupils dilated and her hair swept across his chest. His gaze locked on those gorgeous lips.
“Through what?” Her breaths came faster.
He ran a hand through her hair and pulled her face to his, lightly pressing her lips to his. “I forget what I said.” He settled in to kiss her harder, not giving her a chance to come up for air. His hand traced down her back, following smooth skin, and then around to touch the side of her breast. Her nipples hardened against him. Alex moaned at the sensation.
“Make love to me, Alex. Please. Right now.” She spoke against his lips. “I just need to feel you inside me now.”
“But…” He wanted to explore, investigate every inch of this body that he’d been dreaming of for four days.
“Now, Alex. We can take our time later. Next time.” Her hips rotated slowly against him.
She didn’t need to ask him twice. He ran a hand to her center; his cock hardened at the slick wetness.
Her nails traced up his chest, over the sling, to graze his nipples. His body jerked at the contact as fire spread from her simple touch. Her lips curved against his, and she did it again. His back arched off the bed.
His finger circled her clit and he felt her grow wetter, her body softening at his touch. He repeated the movement, drank in her answering moan, and sunk two fingers deep inside her, pressing upward.
“Ah! Alex!” She arched her spine, pressing down, drawing him deeper.
Lifting up, his mouth moved to the side of her neck, grazing his teeth up to her ear. His fingers slid out, moved around her clit again, and she shuddered. He ran his tongue along the edge of her ear, and she rose up on her knees. Taking his cock in hand, she guided him to her entrance. Her breath came in short gasps, and she tilted to ease his way. So hot, so slick. With one hand he grasped her shoulder, pulling her securely to him, lightly sinking his teeth into her ear and ramming home.
She inhaled, nails sinking into his chest. The little stabs of pain helped him find a measure of control. He held still for three seconds until she started to move on top of him, settling into a rhythm. A fire built at the back of his spine, and he clenched his jaw to keep from exploding into her. He slid a hand down her stomach to touch her again, tease her. Her knees dug into the mattress as she sucked for air.
“Alex.” His name was a soft gasp as her contractions clamped around his cock. He plunged deep, letting go and filling her as he hoarsely uttered her name in prayer.
Brynn opened her eyes and found Alex’s steel gaze watching her. She blinked, surprised she wasn’t startled to wake up next to him. Warmth flowed over her as she remembered last night’s activities.
“What time is it?” She stretched. A real bed.
“Six in the morning.”
“Have you slept?”
“Off and on. Each time I wake up, you’re still here. I tried to stay awake to simply look at you and enjoy having you next to me.” His lips curved into a smile that touched her heart.
Alex rolled onto his back and reached for a mug on the nightstand.
Brynn shot up. “Is that coffee?” She leaned over him, inhaling deeply through her nose, her stomach growling at the rich scent. It was black, she noted. He likes his coffee black.
“Want some?” His eyes were innocent.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You need to learn to not get between me and my first cup of coffee each morning.”
He stilled, his eyes widening a fraction. “I will?” he asked quietly.
“You will what?”
“Each morning. Not get between you and your coffee.”
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. “I’d like you to,” she whispered, knowing they weren’t talking about coffee.
“You barely know me.”
She shook her head. “I know plenty. You’re a man who cares about others, risks his life for people he barely knows and fights to find truth when he knows something isn’t right.” She held his gaze, pulling the words from her heart. “I know your brother’s death hurt you deeply, but I swear you came to peace with it while we were out in the woods. You had the chance to kill the man who killed your brother. Instead, you risked your life to save him. You joined our group for your own purpose, but you became a part of our tight-knit little family. Even Thomas likes you. Thomas doesn’t like anybody.”
Alex coughed and grinned. “You think so?”
She nodded.
“You’ve given this some serious thought.”
“I have. I had to figure out why I fell for you within days, when I’d been with Liam for years and never felt as I did in the woods. Locked in that tiny plane with seven other men, you were the one who attracted every sensor in my body.”
Alex looked at her, transfixed.
She blinked hard.
He gave a slow smile as he sat up, put his coffee back on the table, pulled her head close, and kissed her softly.
“The first time I saw you in that dripping rain, a fire lit inside me. Something flared that’d been cold since Samuel’s death. You made me feel alive, and I didn’t recognize the feeling. It’d been too long.”
He ran a finger down her cheek, following it with wondering eyes. “I was so focused on that killer, I’d shut out everything good in my life. I couldn’t remember what it’d felt like to be happy or content. You made me want to be the man I’d been years ago. The man I thought I’d never be again.” He pressed against her, and arousal flared in her veins.
She rested her hand over his heart and marveled at the powerful, rapid beats. “I don’t want you to be empty again,” she whispered.
“I’m only looking forward,” he promised. His gaze held hers in its steel grip. “I see myself bringing you coffee every morning for a very long time.”
She swallowed hard, happiness tightening her throat. “That sounds perfect.”
His grin widened. “And I’ve always wanted a dog…”