Page 94 of The Red-Hot Stakes

Brad had caused so much pain, so much chaos, and I shivered in Liam’s embrace.

“Hey,” he said gently, stroking my hair. “I’m sorry you went through all that. I can’t imagine how terrifying that was, how much pressure you were under.”

Lightning streaked the sky and lit up the entire cave followed by a loud boom of thunder rumbled as I waited, feeling like he wasn’t finished.

“But,” he said, touching my cheek and staring into my eyes, “I have money and influence, not to mention I know people. If you’d just told me, we could have figured it out. We could have worked together and avoided all this.”

I studied the cave floor. “I couldn’t risk it, Liam. I couldn’t risk you going to jail just because I wanted to be with you. I couldn’t risk one of my friends getting hurt or dying.” I raised my chin and said firmly, “It wasn’t your choice, it was mine. And I’d do it all over again if it meant keeping you safe.”

“Dammit, Gina.” His thumb glided over my cheekbone as his expression softened. “Maybe we can come up with some catchphrase, so it’s not really telling, but any future blackmailer won’t know what’s going on?” Laughter danced in his eyes as a smile broke over my face.

“I’m sure we can think of something.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Liam’s expression sobered. “Are you okay, Gina? Really?”

I stopped, considering it for a second. “Actually, yeah. I’m better than I have been in weeks. For the moment, anyway.”

Brad’s face flashed in my mind, just before he fell, and I knew I’d probably have nightmares. But for now, the threat hanging over my head was gone. Liam and I were on the same page again, and I sat on his lap, against that beautiful, firm chest. Achingly aware of all his bare skin.

I ran my hands along his shoulders. “There is something that could make it better.”

“What’s that?” His throat bobbed as my hands ran lower on his chest.

I let the challenge echo in my words. “Tell me you love me, then prove it.”

“Anything you want, Red.” He kissed me, long and slow, his touch awakening a sleeping part of me. “I love you.”

I sighed, realizing how much I’d missed hearing him say it. “I love you, too.”

His lips claimed me, and I shifted to meet him—gripping the back of his neck, holding his shoulder, pressing myself as tightly to him as I could. He reacquainted himself with my body, running his warm hands over me. I arched into his touch, desperate for more.

He undid my top, cupping the weight of my breasts in his palms. “I missed these.”

I groaned, as he rolled my nipples in his thumbs. “Maybe they missed you too.” I sat up on my knees, tugging on his neck and guiding his mouth to my aching peak. First one, then the other.

“Stand up.” It wasn’t a request.

I obeyed, curious, loving that he was beyond asking permission. We both needed this, were both desperate. His fingers deftly undid the knot of my wrap, tossing it aside. My bikini bottoms followed. He leaned me against the cool, smooth surface of the cave wall as he nudged my legs apart.

Dropping to his knees before me, he licked his lips. “I missed your taste even more.”

A thrill of anticipation sped through me as his tongue stroked my folds. I lolled my head back, clutching his shoulders for support. Another streak of lightning flashed, the thunder rolling in an endless wave as the rain continued to beat down.

Not even that could drown out the sound of my pounding heart.

“C’mon, Gina. I want to hear you.”

He licked me again, pausing to bury a finger in my wet depths before circling his thumb around my clit. I moaned, tension building steadily in me. I’d missed every bit of him, and the longing ache in me was overwhelming. Little flutters already pulsed through my core.

His tongue slowly flicked my sensitive nub, over and over, in time with his finger plunging in and out of me. I was so close. I wanted nothing more than to have him bring me to that pinnacle.

He hummed his encouragement as he increased his pace. I grabbed his neck with my other hand, pressing him even closer, riding his face. My orgasm crashed over me, and I cried his name. My legs shook by the time he looked up with his wet chin and delighted grin.

He wiped his mouth on his arm, standing up to kiss me. “Have I proven it yet?”

“Proven what?” I didn’t understand in my post orgasm haze, and he smirked.

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