Page 58 of Red Queen (Red Thorns Crew 3)

“I’m so glad you’re alive,” I whispered.

He reached for something behind me. “Come on. It’s time we get you cleaned up, too.”

I wanted to protest, but I decided to go along with it. I felt his washcloth caress my skin as bubbles popped and tickled me. I melted against him as he swirled them along my body, sliding the washcloth up and down my spine. His hands landed on my ass, and the bubbles made me giggle.

“Gotta hold still if I’m going to wash every crevice, gorgeous.”

I sighed. “My God, I missed you calling me that.”

He kissed the shell of my ear before he backed me into the hot streams of water. I felt the soap washing away from my body before he turned me around. He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, and I felt him kissing my neck. My cheek. Even the top of my head. His other hand slid around my body, coating me in cleansing bubbles.

“Gotta get up under here, too,” he murmured.

I gasped as he swiped the washcloth beneath my breasts.

“Mmm, gotta make sure these hip bones are clean, too.”

I moaned. “Max.”

He nipped at my neck. “Patience, gorgeous. Patience will do you well right now.”

His hands meandered, making my muscles jump. His lips kissed me softly, bleeding warmth through my veins. I felt him traveling farther downward. Sliding that washcloth over my thighs. Between my legs. Sliding over my lower lips with a featherlike softness.

“Max,” I groaned.

He chuckled. “Patience.”

I scoffed. “I’ve had enough patience. Eighty-eight hours’ worth of patience.”

He paused. “You were counting?”

I turned to face him. “Of course I was counting. And every minute without you was agonizing.”

His eyes darkened as the washcloth fell from his hand. I knew that look. I’d seen it before. I’d dreamt about that look the entire time he’d been locked away. His hands reached for me, gripping my waist tightly. Pulling me into him as my desire for him rose. I watched his pupils blow wide with lust. His hand slid through my soaked hair, fisting it as his eyes held mine captive.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And whatever I have to do to get you out of this, I will.”

His lips fell against my own and I lost myself in him. In the fierceness of his kiss and the tight grip he had on my hair. I groaned at the feel of his stiffened girth pressing against my stomach. Eager for me. Waiting for me to spread myself so he could devour me whole. I raked my hands along his skin, relishing his growl. I grabbed at every part of him I could find before my hands settled against his ass cheeks. The thick, taut muscle rolled against my palms. I felt my pussy wetting itself as water bashed against us. Max’s tongue invaded me. Marked me. Pushed me to heights that made my ears ring.

Then his lips fell to my neck.

“Max. I have to feel you. Please, I can’t take it anymore.”

He bit into my shoulder. “Let me taste you first.”

“Max.”

“You heard me.”

I whispered, “I’m begging you, just this once.”

His head lifted and my eyes fluttered open. My half-hooded stare met his dancing gaze, his eyes bouncing between mine. I felt tears rush my eyes. Tears I had held back for what seemed like weeks. And as he picked me up against him, relief flooded my veins.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

He pinned me against the wall. “I’ll give you what you want if you answer one thing for me.”

“Anything. Anything to feel you.”

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