Page 25 of Safe Haven

“I’m gonna need an answer for this, Audrey. It’s one thing for you to rub up against me, but I won’t be putting my hands on you like that without permission.”

Oh my God. He wants to use his hands?

Now, not only am I unable to talk, but I think I stopped breathing. And that’s a shame, because I’ll probably pass outbefore I know what it feels like to be touched by a man like Maddox.

A man whose actual goal is to get me off.

“So tell me.” Maddox’s voice is low and deep. “Do you want me to make you feel better?”

I bob my head in a nod.

He leans closer, his lips brushing against mine as he says, “Words, Audrey. I need words.”

I don’t think he’s going to be able to touch me after all, because I’m pretty sure I’m about to melt all the way to the floor. Turn into a puddle of Audrey at his feet.

I’m not sure where I find the strength, but somehow, my lips work and my voice says, “Yes, please.”

“Perfect.” His lips tease mine again in a soft hint of a kiss. “I knew you could do it.”

His hand brushes against my thigh, the slightly rough skin of his calloused palm skimming under my robe. And because I’m greedy and possess obviously loose morals, I spread my legs wider, trying to provide him as much room as I can.

When his fingers slide against me, we both suck in a breath. I hold mine, but Maddox exhales on a groan. “No panties, Audrey?”

I grip his shoulders as he teases along my slit. “I took a shower, and when I came out you were talking to Savannah and then I was talking to Savannah, and then—” I gasp as he delves deeper, gliding over slick skin.

But Maddox seems to want to keep talking. “And then?”

“And then,” I parrot. It’s difficult to find my train of thought when he’s touching me like this, but as I pull in a deep breath, the savory scent lingering in the air reminds me. “And then we had dinner, and then…”

I stop again, but this time it’s not because I forget. This time it’s because I’m still a little embarrassed.

“Then you climbed on my lap and took what you needed,” Maddox finishes for me.

I nod, because now he’s circling my clit, and I’m already climbing toward another release.

I’m not sure if I’m simply desperate for touch. Or maybe my body realizes how rare it is to find someone interested in giving and not just receiving. Or if Maddox is just really good at what he’s doing. But in what feels like seconds, I’m coming again, my arms tight at his neck and my head dropped back. My hips flex, working in time with his steady strokes against my clit as I chase every bit of it I can to claim for myself.

When I’m finally able to open my eyes, Maddox is studying me. “You’re beautiful when you come, Audrey.”

He was watching me? Mortification races its way back in again, heating my cheeks and dropping my eyes.

But this time, Maddox doesn’t seem to notice.

He carefully steps away, keeping one hand on my thigh. “Stay right there.” Reaching for the stack of washcloths on the shelf in the corner, he tugs one free and runs it under the warm tap. He gently wipes away the slippery evidence of my misdeeds before tossing the washcloth into the hamper and lifting me off the counter. “Now it’s really time for sleep.”

He carries me into my bedroom and sets me on the edge of the bed before going to collect a set of pajamas from my drawer. He hands them off then starts peeling away his clothes. “I’m going to take a quick shower, and then I’ll be in.”

I swallow hard as he drags his shirt over his head, presenting me with his bare chest once again. Every inch of him seems to be sculpted from stone. Every muscle is perfectly developed. Every bit of skin is smooth and tan and?—

I point to a spot I haven’t noticed before. It’s an odd pucker of a scar that almost looks like— “What’s that?”

Maddox’s demeanor changes in the blink of an eye. He goes from the eager to please goofy grinning guy to Maddox the Murderer in a heartbeat.

His expression shutters as he turns away, but his voice is still gentle when he says, “Nothing. Go to sleep.”

Then he walks out of the room, leaving before I can offer to return either of the favors I owe him. Which is really disappointing. I was sort of looking forward to making things as weird as possible between us. Seeing if he would continue making it weird right back.

Except things really haven’t been weird between us. Not when I tried to hit him with a baseball bat. Not when he got a little excited while we were wrestling. Not even when I rubbed up against him or when he touched me.

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