Page 85 of Daring the Defender

Everything in this moment feels scandalous.

From the slippery heat of the water, to the way our bodies touch in a million different nerve points, to the fact my brother and Jefferson are just outside in their rooms. Reid lathers the blue-green soap into his hands and flattens his palms over mybreasts. My back arches, but he slides a hand around my body, drawing me back to him. Leaning down, his mouth claims mine warm, wet, and slick.

I’m most aware of the hard line of his cock pressing into my belly, and I reach down to touch him. “Jesus,” he exhales, hand gathering my hair in his fist. “That feels so good.”

“Yeah?” I can barely speak. I let my hand do the work, stroking up and down his cock.

“Everything you do feels amazing,” he tugs on my hair, “turn around.”

I spin, careful not to get our feet tangled up in the small space. Reid’s hand glides down my back, cupping my ass. The water rushes between us, and he takes my hands and flattens them against the tile. Twisting, I watch him soap up again, coating his shaft.

His cock settles between my legs, sliding in and out slowly. The tip knocks against my clit, sending a dull ache in my lower belly.

“I’m on the pill.” The admission comes out in a rush. He looks surprised. “To regulate my period, so if you want to…”

“Yeah?” His eyebrow arches, but his eyes are glued to my mouth. Tipping my face toward his, he kisses me again. “Because I want to fuck you so bad.”

My body melts and part of me knows that this is because we don’t have much more time together. I want to experience everything I can with him, every last touch and emotion. I let him take over, nudging my thighs apart with his knee. Grabbing me by the hips and tilting my ass so he gets a better angle. I’m putty in his hands, muscles warmed by the hot water. His hips rock, sliding his cock against my pussy, drawing us into a steady rhythm, until his arm wraps around my waist, dragging me hard into his body. The head of his cock nudges my entrance, andin one swift move, he’s inside, groaning in my ear. “You’re so goddamn tight.”

Despite what he says, there’s little resistance, my body ready for him. The angle is different.Deep. Unsteady breaths rush from my lungs as he thrusts into me. I find myself wanting more, wanting him deeper, and shift my body to let it happen. Both of his hands land on my hips, giving me what I want, one delirious punch at a time.

The current of energy between us builds and soon I feel the addictive tingle I haven’t stopped chasing since Reid gave me my first orgasm. “You close?” he asks in a whispered grunt.

I nod, the water, now running cool, hitting my back. I barely notice a different wave washing over me, one that threatens to carry me under. One that I feel in every bone in my body.

Reid comes a split second after me, our bodies in lockstep. It’s different this time, I feel him when he comes, the rush of slick heat making me feel even more full. “Oh god,” I moan, the edges of my vision growing blurry. If Reid wasn’t holding me up, wasn’t keeping me upright, I would have slid to the bottom of the tub.

But he is.

He never lets go of me, not for a moment. Not even after he pulls out and washes us both off with the chilly water. His hands are on me as he bundles me in a towel, wrapping it tight around my body and then pulling me against his chest.

“I know things are weird right now,” he tells me, voice still low. With the shower off, all we have is Ingrid’s voice covering our own. “That shit is up in the air with your family, and your dumbass ex is sending you flowers. He wants you to come home. Like Jefferson said, he’d be a dumbass to not chase you down.”

I tilt my face to look up at him. His hair is wet, water droplets beading at the tips. “Reid, I’m not–”

“I need you to know something,” he cuts me off, “I didn’t expect you. Not when you showed up on the porch. Not when you crawled in my lap and kissed me. Not the first time you wore my jersey. Not tonight. Not any of it. Ever.”

I nod, my throat growing thick with emotion, feeling the same.

“Whatever happens, Shelby Rakestraw, I want you to know that I love you. I want the best for you, even if it’s two-thousand miles away.”

“Reid–” I try again, but he bends and kisses me. Not hard and passionate. Not desperate and needy. Sweet. Gentle. Understanding.

He pulls back and adds, “I won’t beg another girl to stay if it’s not the right fit.” His jaw locks tight. “You taught me that I’m better than that.”

With a towel wrapped around his waist, he exits the bathroom and a moment later I hear his door shut, followed by the click of the lock. I have a million things to say to him, but he’s right. If today has taught me anything, I need to figure out my life, before I hurt anyone else.

25

Reid

After sleeping like shit,I woke up feeling like I’d been run over by a truck. Was I hungover? I wish. This, apparently, is what it feels like to let the best woman I’ve ever met go–if she wants it or not.

I’m not trying to be a martyr. Or act like this is the product of some miscommunication. I know Shelby is confused. What we agreed on was for me to help her explore a little. Gain some experience. The plan had never been to fall for her.

It’s obvious she’s being torn in two directions. When I got home and saw the flowers from David, everything slammed into me. Her ex is still very much in the equation. Her time was temporary, break up or not. She got what she needed and I’m glad I could help with that. When I went into the bathroom, I had no clue that would be the last time we had sex. Being in her like that, feeling her tighten around me and take every last drop.

Something in me broke. I confessed my feelings and let her go.

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