Page 15 of Hounds Ascend
“You want one of the guest rooms upstairs?” Micah asks, motioning toward the ceiling.
“Nah, man. I already rented a hotel room right up the street. I appreciate it though.”
Cass hugs Micah while I say goodbye to Raven. We meet in the middle and head for the door together. The cool night air hits me like a force field when we step outside. I suck in a sudden, deep breath. The temperature has definitely dropped since we’d been inside. I didn’t even think of bringing any cold weather riding gear, mostly because I wasn’t used to riding much and when I did ride, all I had to bring was myself.
“You tired, my love?” Cass asks as we approach the bike.
“Exhausted. Thank you for getting us out of there. I wasalmost ready to curl up in a corner.”
“I could tell. Here, you’re gonna want this.” Cass opens a saddlebag on the bike and hands me a hoodie. I can feel the warmth just looking at it. Hands out, I snatch it from him and sling it over my head. The cotton material instantly begins sucking the cold right from my skin.
“You are amazing. That is all.” I grin, strapping on my helmet.
“When did you rent a hotel room?” I ask, realizing we hadn’t been to a hoteltorent a room.
“I didn’t. Linc did when he got back. Perks of having a prospect, baby.”
I shake my head, amused. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.”
Cass straddles the seat of the bike and pats behind him. “Hop on.”
I step on the foot peg and sling my leg over. I’ve gotten used to mounting and unmounting things with Cass, both his bike and him. I reach my hands around to the pockets of his cut and nestle them in just in time before we take off.
Beach Boulevard is cold, but it isn’t very busy tonight and for that I’m thankful. I can hear the waves rolling in from the ocean and the salty air fills my nostrils once again. We ride for a few minutes, long enough for the chilly air to assault my legs through my jeans and make my skin ice cold to the touch before Cass turns into the hotel.
I spot Linc’s bike as soon as we’re in the parking lot. Cassparks next to it and we head inside. Cass deals with the hotel clerk, telling him the name to get the key. I’m so tired I’m barely coherent through their exchange.
Minutes later, Cass has a room key and we’re off to the second floor. I smile at the memory of our last hotel trip together. The elevator dings and the doors open, allowing us inside. I must still have a smile on my face because Cass catches my eye and smiles too.
“What’re you smiling about over there?” he asks.
“I was just thinking of the first time we were in a hotel together.”
“Mmm. I like the way you think.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me playfully.
“Nuh-uh. Nope. I’m going todieas soon as my head hits the pillow. I’m not used to Scott’s version of biker time. I run on bartender time and in my world, being awake at six in the morning means I haven’t been to sleep yet.”
Cass chuckles. “My baby.”
The elevator doors open again when we reach the second floor, and I nearly sprint in the direction of the room. I’m so tired and muster all the energy I have left to get inside that room.
“Slow down, turbo. The room ain’t going nowhere.”
“I know, but if I don’t get in there and shower, stat, you’re going to be peeling me off the ground when I fall asleep standing up.”
We stop in front of our room and Cass slides the key card in.The light blinks green and I push the door open, heading for the bathroom. It’s a nice hotel. The bathroom is spacious and clean with granite countertops and a large bathtub. As tempting as it is for me to crawl in that bathtub and soak in the bath, I settle on a quick shower instead. If I soak in the tub, I’ll fall asleep right there.
I turn the hot water on and step into the shower. It beats down on me, rinsing away the road grime and sand and dirt from the day. Using the tiny hotel shampoo, I lather my hair and begin washing my body. The shower curtain slides toward me, and I see Cass peeking through, naked, and holy fuck did I just get an extra spurt of energy.
“Is there room for me in here?” he asks, not waiting for my response before stepping in.
“Always, baby.”
Cass stands directly in the way of the shower head, hogging the hot water, but I don’t mind. I’m still scrubbing the dirt of the day away and it isn’t that cold without the water.
“Here, let me get the rest of that for you.” Cass takes the wash rag out of my hand and begins scrubbing me from the top of my neck down my back. Nothing about this was sexual, but more so sensual. He takes his time, washing me and rubbing me down. When he finishes with my back, he moves over so that the water beats down on me once again, washing the suds away.
Cass then replaces the water with himself, pulling me flush against him as he reaches around me to wash my front. He starts at my neck again, slowly working his way down my chest. Mystomach. My thighs. He’s treading in dangerous territory and he knows it. The wash rag hits the floor and his hand trails back up my body until he holds my pert nipple in his hand. He twists ever so slightly back and forth, causing me to arch against him.
