Page 37 of Crusher

Damn, this man is hot.

I hear the shower start and take a few cautious sips of my hot tea. Then I place the mug on the nightstand beside me, snuggle beneath the covers, and succumb to blissful sleep.

15

SADIE

Hushed footsteps pad across the room and my eyes creep open to find Landon standing at the end of the bed, draped in only a towel. His chestnut hair looks almost black as water drips down the ends that stick to his neck. My gaze drifts over the hard planes of his abdomen, observing how his muscles flex when he pulls open a drawer to retrieve a pair of gray lounge pants.

“Is everything alright?” My words are heavy with sleep as he turns his head in my direction.

“We’re good. Took care of all… loose ends.”

“You mean you killed them.”

“I mean you don’t ever have to worry about any of them again.”

I know who the Disciples are and what they’re capable of. I saw the blood on his shirt tonight, so I don’t pretend to think he’s a stranger to bringing death. Yet knowing this doesn’t make me afraid. It makes me feel protected and safe, and I’m glad they did what needed to be done.

I’ve never once been scared of this man and I never will be. I know without a doubt he’d never hurt me.

Landon turns his back to me, dropping his towel before sliding on his pants. I can’t seem to look away from him, or his spectacular ass and soul-stealing dick. It’s unfair to other men how insanely perfect his body is, but it’s not just his sculpted physique. It’s all his tats, his scars, and his gorgeous face too.

He catches me staring at him and tenses. “I’m gonna sleep in the guest room. You should go back to?—”

“Stay with me,” I interrupt, the vulnerability evident in my tone.

Hesitation flashes in his eyes. “I didn’t bring you here for sex.” He throws my words from that first day at my house back at me, and a small tendril of guilt grows inside my chest.

“I know. I’m sorry I said that.” I don’t think he can blame me for having my reservations, but I’m hoping he at least understands.

His face softens when he responds. “You need to rest. There’s no question how much I want you, but I can wait. I’d wait forever if I had to.”

But I don’t want to wait. I want him to make me forget all the horrible things that’ve happened. I want him to touch me and kiss me and fuck away all the memories that keep flashing in my mind. I don’t want to think about anything else. I just want to think about how thoroughly used he makes me feel when he comes inside me and fills me with ecstasy.

Need builds within my core and I’m desperate for his hands on me. I can tell he wants me just as badly from the tortured look on his face. “C’mere.” I offer him a soft smile while I pull back the covers, inviting him into bed.

Landon walks around to my side until he’s standing over me, then reaches out to gently caress my cheek. “You really are trouble, you know that?”

I turn my head to kiss his palm, relishing his warmth on my face. Then he clicks off the lamp before rounding the bed, slipping off his pants, and sliding in behind me. I sit up and remove my shirt, then turn over to face him.

He drags the tip of his index finger down the bridge of my nose. “Wanna tell me where it hurts? Promise I’ll make it feel better.”

I return his lust-filled gaze with one of my own. “Everywhere, Landon. Everywhere.” I thought he might take it easy, all things considered. But true to his nature, he dives right in, giving me exactly what I wanted.

He flips us over, carefully resting his comforting weight over my body, pinning me to the mattress like a weighted blanket. I place my hands on each side of his face while he takes my mouth in a searing kiss. He guides my tongue with his and I moan, savoring his taste. Then a subtle tremor ripples through my body as he draws my arousal to the surface.

He delicately wraps his long fingers around my wrists, being mindful of my injuries. Then, he removes my hands from his face and raises my arms to rest above my head. “Stay,” he commands, and the slight narrowing of his gaze tells me he’s waiting for my usual snarky retort.

But there won’t be any brattiness out of me tonight. At least not anymore. I want this and I want him, so there’s no need for me to keep pretending that I don’t. I simply lift my chin with a smile, and he rewards me with a soft kiss.

“Good girl.” His words do something funny to my insides, making me suddenly realize I like hearing his praise.

Fire trails after his fingertips as he lightly drifts them down my arms and around my breasts until he’s cupping my generous mounds with his firm, calloused hands. I gasp at the sensation of his rough skin sweeping across my sensitive flesh while he teases and massages, rolling my nipples between his fingers before sucking one into his mouth.

I hiss and arch my back, pressing myself against his face. A moan escapes me at the feel of his coarse beard brushing along my skin. He peppers kisses over the supple curves of my stomach, moving down my body until he wedges his massive shoulders between my thighs. Then I hear him inhale as he pushes my knees apart, his eyes closed while he relishes my scent.

“You smell so fucking good,” he growls.

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