Page 21 of Against the Clock

CHAPTER 10

KELSEY

I’m laughing so hard by the time Daniel finally stops running, not even winded by the effort, that I’m not sure if tears are streaming down my face or if it’s just wet tracks from my hair.

He tosses me on a sumptuous bed, the linens storm cloud grey, the whole bedroom masculine and expensive, and I bounce slightly, the laughter dying on my lips.

I couldn’t possibly look at a man like this, half-naked, silver in his hair and fire in his eyes, and laugh.

He’s stunning. A thick white scar crosses his shoulder, a smaller one where his arm meets his chest, but it doesn’t mar his perfection. He looks like he’s seen some shit and only managed to come out the other side stronger.

“Shoulder surgery,” he says, noticing where my attention’s gone.

I sit up, tracing my finger over the white, unable to stop touching him. My hands are greedy for him, wanting to explore all of him, wanting to make the most of this one night of bad choices.

“Does it bother you?” he asks, and the hesitancy in his voice makes me pause.

“No.” I shake my head.

“We should get you out of your soaked clothes,” he says, low and husky, and my entire body goes hot and loose all at once.

“I got your bed all wet.” I look around in dismay at the damp spot my jeans have left.

“That’s exactly what I fucking want you to do.”

My eyes go wide, and then his mouth’s on mine again, stealing all thoughts save for pure want. He pulls my soft blazer off first.

“Daniel,” I murmur, his mouth grazing over the sensitive skin beneath my ear.

His fingers find the hem of my top, the tips of them grazing my stomach as he lifts it. I shudder at the contact, willing him to go faster, willing this moment to never end, this bottomless need, the anticipation ratcheting up until it’s all-consuming.

When he pulls my top all the way off, I stare up at him, waiting to see what he’ll do next.

“Like unwrapping the best present,” he says softly, gaze skating over me.

My soaked jeans and bra press against my skin, and it’s too much. They need to come off. I don’t take my gaze from him.

I start to unfasten the button of my jeans, but he stops me by circling my wrist with a finger and a thumb, then presses a kiss to my palm.

It shouldn’t be so erotic, a simple kiss on the hand, but I swear it sends heat bursting through me.

He kisses it again, and one thing becomes crystal clear.

Daniel Harrison knows exactly what he’s doing in bed, and I am about to have a good time. I grin at him, and he smiles back.

A great time.

“Let me,” he says, and he carefully, gently begins tugging my jeans off. Well, as gently as he can, considering they’re sticking to my body. I lean over, trying to help him, wriggling to pull them loose.

By the time we get them all the way off, we’re both laughing again.

His dark eyebrows rise and he holds up the jeans, then bows at the waist with a flourish of his arm before dropping them on the floor. He advances towards me and the laughter dies in my throat.

“Hey,” he says quietly, noting my sudden change in expression. “You okay?”

I nod once, feeling vulnerable, wearing only my underwear and bra.

“I need you to say it.”

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