Page 106 of Crossing Every Line

“That’d be great,” Shane said.

She sagged against him as the woman asked for the particulars. Shane slid his arm around her and placed a credit card on the desk when the front desk woman rattled off a price.

Kendall gave the woman a tired smile, and then they both staggered off to the elevator. Neither of them said anything when the elevator opened. In fact, the silence was so complete she swayed into Shane.

He hooked an arm around her shoulders. “Come on, sleepy. Let’s get you into a bed.”

“I shouldn’t be tired.”

“Oh yeah, why’s that?”

“You’re the one who did all the driving.”

“Dark truck and a long day? We’re both tired, babe. Let’s just get some sleep, and we can do the last leg tomorrow.”

She let him lead her to the correct door. Shane dropped their bags as soon as they got inside.

“Shower.”

“Go ahead.”

Kendall gave him a tired smile from doorway. “Thanks for everything you’re doing to get me home.” Before he could wave her thanks off like he usually did, she closed the door and turned on the shower.

She spent a full ten minutes under the spray, letting the heat pummel the tight muscles in her shoulders. By the time she was done, the room was a steam bath, and she felt human again. Taking a few extra minutes to blow-dry her hair seemed a little decadent, but she did it anyway. When it was smooth as water down her back, she finally shut off the blow-dryer. She couldn’t stand the thought of putting her dirty clothes back on, so she tucked the towel under her arm and opened the door.

The room was dark, save for a sliver of light from the streetlamps. Shane was on the bed, his feet still on the floor as he lay sprawled in the center of the bedspread, sound asleep. The poor thing had to be exhausted.

She reached into her bag and pulled out a T-shirt and slipped it on, draping the towel over the chair. The idea of waking him pained her, but she knew he’d regret it if she let him stay like that. Instead she bent and took off his boots.

Not a flicker of movement. Just the gentle rise and fall of his chest. She tugged his socks off and moved up to his jeans. He had two layers of shirts on, and that would require way too much moving. Instead, she unbuckled his jeans and peeled them open.

The beam of light slid across his flat belly and highlighted his zipper.

Really? Did she need a beacon to show off exactly what she wanted? It was time for them to be in bed, and he was tired beyond measure. Resolutely she peeled his jeans down to his knees, and still he didn’t move.

Feeling better that she’d conquered the lust-brain half of her consciousness, she slowly maneuvered his plaid button-down shirt off. When he moaned lightly, she moved to his side and sat cross-legged until his breathing returned to its slow cadence.

She could barely make out his features in the limited light, but his jawline was finally relaxed in sleep. The feel of his soft beard under her knuckles made her heart turn over. She brushed her thumb along his full bottom lip. The light puff of breath against her skin felt like a caress.

Overtired and still achy, she shouldn’t want him. But she did—good God, she wanted him. This could be the last time. Everything could change tomorrow. She pushed his shirt up, smoothing her palm over the silky hairs on his belly that led to his chest. Widening her touch, she felt the firmness of his pectoral muscles and up to the tight bunch of muscles at his shoulder that flowed into his neck.

She straddled his chest and gently pulled his shirt over his chin and face. He gasped under her and automatically raised his arms to help her take off his shirt.

“Sunshine?”

She smiled into the night. “No one else better be undressing you.”

He snorted and sat up. She slid down his torso to his lap and felt him wake up all over. Her hands rested at his neck, letting her fingertips sift through his hair. The rumble of his moan burrowed into her chest and wrapped around her heart.

“You smell like…” He nudged his nose into her hair and behind her ear. “Christ, you smell good. Whatever it is, I want to eat you alive.”

She laughed. “Peppermint.”

“I do love candy canes.” He coiled her hair around his hand and pulled her head back. He used his teeth on the column of her neck. A caress of lips and teeth with a hint of the tip of his tongue.

He scooted back on the bed, dragging her with him. Her shirt sailed over her head and off the edge of the bed, and then his mouth was there. On her. He cupped her small breasts in his hands and took long pulls on each nipple until they were so distended she was afraid the pleasure would drive her mad.

She reached between them and cupped his sac, then curled around his shaft. “Inside me. Just like this. Nothing but us.”

---