Page 77 of Pulse

Alone at last.

And still breathing.

“I’m going to put you down so I can lock the door. Okay?”

“Yeah.” She unwound her legs from his waist and slid to the floor. Once she was steady on her feet, they released each other.

She silently waited while he secured the deadbolt. If it took him longer than usual, she didn’t comment. He needed the extra time to get his emotions in check. To figure out whether he wanted to wring her neck for putting herself in danger or kiss her until she ran out of breath for wanting to protect him.

In the end, what he’d decided didn’t matter. As soon as he turned back to face her, Talia took his hand and led him to the small bathroom. The determined gleam in her eye had him following without question.

She pushed him into the bathroom before her and turned on the shower. Steam filled the room within seconds, thanks to Curly’s purchase of high-end tankless water heaters.

“I don’t need a shower right now, Tal,” he said as she returned to him. “We need to talk about what hap—”

“We both need a shower.” She reached for his jeans and unbuttoned then unzipped the fly. He gritted his teeth as her knuckles grazed his dick. “We fucked multiple times last night, Pulse,” she said with a sly grin. “We’re pretty filthy.”

Jesus. With her hands at his crotch and her dirty mouth, he didn’t have a chance of preventing the erection. His cock swelled as she shoved his jeans over his ass.

“No underwear.” She tsked. “Like I said, filthy.”

“Talia…” The woman was playing a dangerous game. After the chaos of the previous night, realizing she’d run off that morning, then finding her under his brother’s gun, he was riding the edge of sanity and control. It wouldn’t take more than a nudge to tumble him over the edge.

“Shh.” She sank to her knees and went to work on his boots.

His cock bobbed right in front of her fucking face like it was reaching for her damn mouth. He stared at the ceiling and counted to ten while he fisted his hands at his sides and prayed for control. “Step out.” She patted his outer thigh as she stood.

“Talia, this is fucking nuts. You were just held at gunpoint.” The word nearly choked him. “We need to talk. You need to break down or some shit. And I need to tell you how stupid it was to… oh fuck.”

She nipped his lower lip—hard. His dick fucking loved it. Precum leaked from the tip and rolled down his shaft. Goddamn needy organ wouldn’t let his brain run the show.

“What I need…” she said as she wrapped her hand around his cock.

His eyes slammed shut. “Jesus.”

“Is for you to step in the shower so I can clean you off, then drop to my knees and suck you off.”

Her words punched him low in the gut. He reached for the vanity to keep from hitting the floor.

“I want your cock in my throat, Pulse. So get in the fucking shower.” She squeezed his dick until his eyes crossed.

He reached for the last vestige of strength to stop her and give her the comfort and assurances of safety she deserved when it hit him. This was Talia breaking down. She wasn’t the type to curl into a ball and sob. She wouldn’t want him to hold her and rock her while she lost her shit.

She wanted to take back her power. She wanted someone to control, and he was the lucky bastard to be at her mercy. Giving her this would help her get over what had happened better than forcing her to talk about how terrified she’d been. And when she was done exerting her authority over him, he’d turn the tables and eat her out until she was screaming, and not an ounce of anxiety remained.

“Yes, ma’am.”

She released him, allowing him to enter the steam and warm spray. He shut his eyes and tried to regulate his breathing as he let the soothing water begin to unknot his muscles. His bruises would be sore for a few days, but he’d survived worse. Aftera quick rustle of clothing, Talia joined him in the shower. She frowned as she took in the purple welts marking his torso.

“I’m okay,” he said. “Nothing more than some aches and tenderness.”

She nodded but still wore a frown of disapproval. Time to get her mind on something else.

“God, you’re so hot. Gorgeous.”

She stood before him, naked and without an ounce of insecurity. Water droplets speckled her tan skin, taunting him to lick them away. Her breasts were full and heavy, lighter than the rest of her skin, with rosy nipples he wanted in his mouth STAT.

Every move she made captivated him. The stretch of her side as she reached for the body wash. The way her arm flexed as she squeezed a large orange dollop onto her palm. How her breasts swayed as she lathered the gel between her hands. The scent of tangerines filled the small space, mixing with the lingering aroma of sex on their skin.

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