Page 95 of Ruthless Cross

"When a woman tells you you're nice, it's usually part of the kiss-off."

"It's not that now."

"Are you sure?"

His hands tightened on her shoulders, and she had a feeling his question went much deeper than what she'd just said. She licked her lips, feeling not only grateful to be alive but also reckless and needy.

Flynn must have seen something in her expression, because desire flared in his beautiful blue eyes. "Callie?"

"You turned me down last night, Flynn."

"You had a concussion."

"I don't anymore."

"We're trying to slow your heart down, not speed it up."

"What if I don't want to slow it down?"

"It's natural to want to blow off steam, but there's always a morning after, Callie. I don't think you're ready for that."

"You don't need to make decisions for me, Flynn. And the way things are going, who knows if we'll even make it to morning?"

"You're safe here. You're safe with me. I will not let anything happen to you."

She had never had someone so determined to protect her. It was mind-blowing and heartwarming and so damned sexy. "Flynn, I don't want to just blow off some steam; I want to seize the moment. The last few days have shown me how fragile and short life can be. I've spent too long putting off things I want, telling myself there will be a better time, a better place. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to live. I want to be happy. I want to be with you. Please don't say no again."

His eyes sparkled as he moved his hands through her hair, cradling her head, pulling her close. "Last chance."

"I don't need a last chance. I need you. I want to see where this can go."

"Then let's find out."

He pushed her back against the wall and took possession of her mouth in a desire-fueled hunger that matched her own. She loved being pressed between Flynn and the wall. She could feel every hard angle of his body, and tingles of anticipation shot through her body, from her head to her toes.

Flynn had made her feel safe, but now he made her feel wild and free to be whoever she wanted to be. No responsibility. No worry about tomorrow. No care for anyone else but Flynn and herself. It was just the two of them on an island of desire, and she opened her mouth to his, tasting the fire on his lips, the Scotch on his tongue. It was a heady feeling. Her body felt weightless. Her head was spinning. And then Flynn's hands slid under her sweater, his hot fingers sending shivers down her spine.

Impatient to touch him, she pulled his shirt up, sliding her hands up his back, and around to his chest, her fingers sliding lower. He groaned with pleasure against her mouth.

"We have to slow down," he said roughly.

"Not now. I want to go fast. I want to fly."

His blue eyes darkened as he kissed her again and then swung her back around so quickly she got dizzy.

"Bedroom," he muttered, kissing her down the hall until they reached his room.

"Your bed isn't made," she said, smiling at the tangled covers.

"I'm glad I didn't bother now," he replied with a grin.

"Me, too." As she leaned forward to kiss him again, he pulled slightly back.

"Hold on. Before we both lose our minds, I need to get a condom." As he moved toward the adjoining bathroom, he said, "Don't move."

She had no intention of moving or leaving. She was exactly where she wanted to be. She pulled off her shirt and slid down her jeans, standing next to his bed in her mismatched white lacy bra and pink panties.

Flynn rushed back into the room, his gaze widening as it raked her body. He dropped two condoms on the nightstand and then ripped his shirt over his head as he moved back to her. His chest was broad, tan, and muscled.

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