Page 73 of Succumbed

“You’re so goddamn gorgeous when you come,” he swears. “Almost made me forget you didn’t keep quiet.”

I look up at him, blood rushing in my ears. I can’t stay silent enough for a punishment here. Shane chuckles as my mind conjures the image of my staff staring at my office with wide eyes.

“I think Linc might want in on your punishment. We’ll have to put it off until he can join us.”

His eyes glint as he watches me realize I’ll be carrying the anticipation indefinitely. I swallow roughly and close my eyes, flopping back onto the couch.

“Fuck.”

Shane pats my knee. “You’ll like it.”

“I know, that’s the problem,” I mumble. “I’m not a patient person.”

He laughs, sharp and carefree, and I grin as I push myself upright, then stand. My legs are shaky, making me stumble.

“Here, let me help,” Shane urges, sitting on the coffee table and resting a hand on my hip.

I watch as he smooths his fingers along my bunched underwear, settling them gently back over my swollen lips. They’re so wet it’s pointless to keep wearing them. Shane strokes along my seam once, then looks up into my eyes.

“Do you want them?” I whisper.

His grip tightens on the thin lace. “Fuck yes, I do.”

He wastes no time, tugging sharply and ripping them right off my body. Pressing the material to his face, he inhales deeply and groans before shoving them in his pocket. Shaking his head, he picks up my skirt and holds it open for me to step into. I do, and he drags it up my legs, his fingers leaving scorching lines along my skin.

“You drive me crazy,” he mutters as he watches me fasten my skirt and smooth it.

“Then we’re even.”

His expression is stoic as he considers me, then looks down. He seems pensive, almost withdrawn, and I want to know what’s going through his head. I wait for him to say something, but he just stands and regards me.

“How do you feel?” he asks.

A soft smile curls my lips as I loop my arms around his waist. “Green.”

“Good.” He studies me for a long moment, reaching one hand up to cup my jaw. His touch is gentle, almost reverent. “Now, do you remember what you are?”

I frown as I process his question, the sense that there’s only one correct answer nagging at me. He watches my thoughts unfurl across my face, expression soft, and I remember our earlier conversation. Letting out a halting breath, emotion wells deep in my chest. This man.

“Enough,” I say, my voice cracking.

He reaches up to hold my face in both hands. “Never forget it.”

Shane crashes his lips into mine. He kisses me like he needs me to survive, like I’m the lifeline tethering him to this earth. I lean into him and return it in kind, our lips and tongues waging a fierce, passionate battle. When we part, he rests his forehead against mine as we both catch our breath.

“Thank you, Shane.”

He inhales deeply, then straightens and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You’re welcome.”

Shane drops a hand down to squeeze mine in farewell before walking away. He pauses at the door and unlocks it slowly, then meets my gaze.

“See you soon, baby.”

Chapter 22

Declan

Ifelt like we were on an unstoppable train, and none of us were in the conductor’s seat. Lex and her team had come through at every turn, but I still found myself resisting their help. The responsibility for our business always ultimately fell to me, and the worry over the wrong steps I’d made in the past–and the ones I was sure to make in the future–chafed. I was on edge. I refuse to be the reason we crash and burn. Again.

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