Page 126 of Unexpected Hero

A moan bubbles up my throat, with no trace of my customary shame to stop it from escaping.

For once, I don’t care who knows how wanton I am.

With my hands free, I bring them up to my breasts, squeezing the cups gently before skimming my fingertips toward my cleavage. Given our height difference and body positioning, he can see over my shoulder and down the front of my body. He makes no attempt to hide how carefully he’s studying my movements.

Makes sense, given he likes to watch.

When I find the plastic clasp between my breasts, I work it between the fingers of both hands.

“Don’t do it, Lettie.”

“Can’t call it skinny dipping if I leave it on, now can I?”

“People could see you.” His words are a warning, but his tone makes them seem like a dare.

I lift my chin defiantly. “Maybe I want them to see.”

“You don’t want strangers to see you naked.”

“No?”

“No. I think you want me to see you naked.”

He’s right. I want that so badly I can taste it.

My reply is a breathy simper. “Do you want that?”

“More than anything,” he admits in a low rumble.

My lips curve upward at his admission. “Then let go of my skirt and take a step back,” I challenge. “You can watch since you like that.”

“No.”

I shrug, feigning confidence and cockiness, despite having neither. “Your loss.”

Without waiting another second, I pop open my bra with a flick of my wrists.

He inhales and lets go of my hips, but instead of covering my breasts as I expect, he grabs my upper arms and spins me around so I’m facing him. “Fucking hell,” he snarls as he bends at the knees, wraps one of his strong arms under my ass, and hoists me over his shoulder.

A confusing bevy of emotions strikes me. All at once, I’m enraged at his audacity, aroused by the feel of my bare breasts against his broad shoulder, and giddy with nervous energy.

Muttering angry gibberish, he hauls me toward my room. I don’t even fight him. Why would I? The battle is over.

I won.

By the time we get to my door, my face is flush, and my panties are drenched. An electric current zaps over my exposed skin. Before I know it, he’s somehow got the door to my room unlocked and flings it open.

Wait. How did he do that?

Once we’re inside, he tosses me on the bed like I weigh nothing. My purse goes flying onto the floor. I guess he thought to grab it from the table using the hand that wasn’t pinning me to his shoulder.

A heartbeat later, he’s on the bed with me, his body hovering inches over mine.

“How did you unlock the door?” I pant out.

“Is that really what you want to talk about right now?”

“No.”

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