Page 41 of Don't Let Go

“I’m glad you’re here,” I told him.

“Even if we interrupted?” No criticism, just real interest.

I wanted to shrug that off, but I wasn’t sure I should. That said, I wouldn’t run away from it. “I had sex with Locke.”

“I noticed,” he said with a wave of his hand. “Absolutely your choice, luv. As long as it was your choice.”

I blinked. “Of course it was my choice.” Locke would never…

“Good.”

“Good?” Now I was confused. “You don’t mind?” Not entirely the question I meant to ask.

“It has nothing to do with whether I mind or not,” he informed me in that so very proper voice. “It’s about whether you enjoyed it and it was what you wanted.”

Yeah. Still confused. Based on some of their reactions—hell based on theirglareswhen they arrived, that didn’t seem right.

“Am I chuffed?” Remy continued, then shook his head. “No. I’m a possessive man. I want you for myself.”

I wasn’t sure which declaration knocked me sideways more. Could you freeze a moment and just keep it forever? This might be one that I wanted to preserve.

The amusement in his smile deepened. “Did I shock you?”

“No,” I said slowly, then gave myself a little shake. “Yes.” I shrugged off his coat, the contrast between the cooler air on my bare skin versus the overheated mess I was becoming seemed the far lesser of two evils. “You aren’t upset?”

“Patch… nothing for me to be upset about. Do you feel better?”

“After the sex?”

“Yes,” he said patiently and I had to fight the urge to facepalm. Had I managed to absolutely disintegrate my brain? Apparently.

“Yes,” I exhaled the word.

“Then I’m happy enough for you.” He traced a finger over my shoulder and then turned me to face the wall. “I’m going to exhibit some absolutely stellar restraint by showing you how you can wash. The water will be warm. Not cold. Not hot. And you have to press the button to get thirty seconds’ worth and wash in between.”

The explanation, so rational and patient, settled my jagged nerves more than I cared to admit. Or it did until he traced hisfingers down my spine and leaned in to press a kiss behind my ear.

“Just know, when you and I have sex, I really want you to enjoy that too.”

Chapter

Fourteen

LOCKE

The shower installation was a huge hit with Fallon. She’d returned with a smile on her face and a fresh flush to her cheeks. Remy prowled behind her like a silent guardian. Each time his gaze landed on me, he’d go unreadable.

Frankly, I couldn’t tell if I needed to watch my back or just make the most of my time with Fallon. The Brit was a sniper after all. I’d probably never know what hit me. There were worse ways to go.

Then Fallon would look at me and the harsh glare of reality softened. The strain around her eyes was gone and the tightness to her lips had relaxed. If nothing else, sex had definitely taken the edge off.

At the same time, it left me hungry for more. By unspoken agreement, we slept for four hours, then had a planning session. We left the big bed to Fallon and I took a bunk nearby, so did Remy and McQuade. As we had at the house, we all took turns on watch.

I got the first one.

Fine.

When it was time to get my two hours, it went by in the blink of an eye. Not even the coffee Remy pointed me toward seemedto touch the sandpaper in my eyes, much less the fuzz around my brain.

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