Page 155 of Into the Woods

“On it,” Ryan responded, ignoring me.

“Do you need help, Bex?” Maddie offered, her voice sweet and kind.

Court shot her a baleful look. “I’ve got her covered.”

Maddie barely hid a smile as she leaned back into Ryan. “Just making sure.”

Court took my hand and led me into what I’d always consider our room. He nudged the door shut and leaned against it, his dark gaze boring into me. “I need the truth, Becca.”

I paused, watching him.

“Are you… Did you get hurt?” His jaw clenched as he tried to tactfully ask the question haunting him.

I sighed and moved to stand with him, my arms going around his waist as I tipped my head back to look at him. “Other than a few bruises and scrapes, I’m fine. I promise. Your dad has a helluva right hook—”

“He hit you?” Court’s voice was low, lethal. It charged the room with an anticipatory sort of electricity that made the fine hairs on my arms stand up. Murder flashed in his eyes, making them cold, dark pools of fury. He pushed back my hair, hissing at whatever he saw. “Fuck. I didn’t notice it before. That son of a bitch. I’ll kill him.”

“Court,” I started, meeting his gaze and holding it, “I’m fine. Bruises heal. I’m here with you now. We’re okay.”

That was all that mattered. Not revenge or fear or rage. Right now, I just needed the guy I loved to remind me that we were together and nothing would change that.

His gaze searched my face, his entire body pulled taut. “Becca—”

“Right now I need a shower,” I said slowly. “And I need you to help me out of this dress. Can you do that?”

He swallowed reflexively and nodded. “Yeah. I can do that.”

I turned my back to him so he could access the zipper. His hand found the piece of metal and tugged it down. The dress loosened around me, and I didn’t stop it from slipping off my shoulders and pooling around my feet.

Court’s warm breath ghosted across my neck as he brushed my dark hair over one shoulder. His blunt fingers traced the edge of the white corset I’d worn underneath before he started to open each clasp.

I was painfully aware of the way my breaths quickened the more skin he exposed until he reached the end where the corset matched the white panties that hugged my ass.

“Becca,” he rasped, dipping his fingers into the elastic of my underwear and dragging them around to my front.

My eyes fluttered closed as he brushed my slit, a soft gasp leaving my lips as need pulsed between my thighs. I fell back against him, my corset landing on the floor with my discarded gown.

His lips pressed against the curve of my neck, lightly sucking on the flesh there. He peppered kisses up to the curve of my jaw, and I turned my head toward him.

His mouth covered mine as he worked a finger between my folds. I gasped into him as his tongue swept in to take control and his finger fucked me with slow pumps.

I widened my stance, the heady thrum of arousal soaking into my bones and making my blood pound.

When he added a second finger, my knees started to shake. As if sensing I was close to breaking, he banded a strong arm around my chest, locking me against him as he used his fingers to drive me crazy.

He swallowed every sound I made, feeding off my pleasure like it would give him all the energy he’d ever need. His thumb rubbed tight circles over my needy little clit as he crooked his fingers inside me, rubbing that magic spot that sent a cascade of sparkles bursting behind my eyes.

I shattered in his arms. My sex convulsed around his fingers, greedily trying to suck him in deeper. He caught me as my legs turned to jelly, unable to bear my weight another second.

I’d barely come down from my high as he carried me to the bed. He spun me in his arms, his lips crashing against mine with dominating force. All I could do was cling to the front of his dark shirt, my back arching into him.

Then I was falling. My back hit the mattress, and I looked up at Court, dazed. My stomach clenched at the feral glint in his eyes as he gazed down at me and licked his lips.

He reached behind his neck, fisted his shirt, and yanked it over his head. He tossed it aside and toed off his boots, then reached for his belt buckle.

I scooted higher up on the bed, my mouth going dry as I watched him strip. Every piece of clothing exposed more tanned skin. The phoenix tattoo inked on his ribs seemed alive as it moved when he did.

Each flex of his muscles reminded me how strong he was. And, in some stupid little way that made my heart go flippity-flop, reminded me how safe he made me feel.

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