Page 91 of Delicate Escape

I’d made a mess of everything. I’d nearly lost my mind having Thea that close, her floral and coconut scent swirling around her. And the way her breasts had pressed against me with each inhale...

I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted anyone. The force of the attraction, the desperate need, scared the hell out of me, if I was honest. And that fear was only matched by the worry that I’d move too fast and screw everything up.

Only, I’d done the opposite. I’d tried to control everything. And by doing so, had taken Thea’s autonomy away from her. No wonder she was pissed.

Moose sent a squawking meow my way.

“I know,” I grumbled. “You don’t have to say a damn thing.”

I pushed to my feet and started out of the room. I may have messed everything up, but I could apologize and make it right. Give Thea back the reins.

My bare feet moved along the hardwood floors as I rounded the corner and stopped outside Thea’s door. Images swirled in my head of her sitting in her room all alone, tears tracking down her cheeks. I didn’t let myself wait, too worried I’d lose my nerve. My hand curled around the knob and twisted to open the door.

The moment it swung in, I froze. Thea. Beneath the blankets on her bed. Head tipped back, cheeks flushed. Back arched. Her nipples stood at attention, pressed against the thin cotton of her tank top. I could see a hint of the darker peaks beneath the pale pink fabric of the shirt. Saw her breaths coming in quick pants.

Everything in me tightened, muscles stringing tight. My already semi-hard dick stiffened to attention.

“Thea,” I croaked.

Her eyes flew open and cut to me. I expected censure, Thea telling me to get the hell out. But she didn’t. Her eyes stayed locked with mine. But she didn’t remove her hand from beneath the covers. “What do you want, Shep?”

I missed the way she said my full name. How her mouth curved around the syllables.

My breaths came fast, sharp and stabbing as claws of need dug into me. “Tell me to go.” My fingers curled around the doorknob, so tight I thought I might break a knuckle.

But my girl was too damn brave for that.

“Stay,” she whispered into the dark.

I was done being an idiot, and even if I wasn’t, her pull was too strong. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me before leaning against it. “Tell me what those pretty little fingers are doing, Thorn.”

Her pale green eyes flashed in the moonlight. “What your fingers wouldn’t.”

I couldn’t help the growl that left my throat.

Thea simply arched a brow in both question and challenge.

“Show me,” I croaked.

Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, mulling over the request. Then, painfully slowly, she pushed down the blankets with her feet.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Thea wore nothing but that pale pinktank top. I could finally see those long, toned legs. Miles of smooth skin on display. She cupped the apex of her thighs, the place I wanted to see most.

My mouth watered.Fuck.She was already the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Seeing all of her would ruin me, but I didn’t give a damn.

“What do you want, Shepard?” Thea whispered into the dark.

“I want to see all of you.” My voice was pure grit. All need.

Thea shifted. There was no delay, no hesitation. Her hand moved, sliding from between her legs.

I shoved off the door, stalking toward the bed and taking in every inch of her. “So fucking beautiful.”

My fingers itched to touch, feel. My tongue cried out to taste. My balls ached.

Thea’s gaze locked with mine. “Shepard.”

“Fucked up. Didn’t give you what you needed.”

---