Page 74 of South of The Skyway

“Hey,” I said, closing the distance and wrapping my arms around her back. “I’m sorry you were disappointed. Let’s look at the bright side. Once my parents move down, I’ll be right across the street.”

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “What you’re saying is there’s a decent chance I’ll get to sneak at least one look at your ass every day.”

“I’ll buy emo-boy pants, just for you.”

She breathed a laugh, her expression softening as her palms fluttered up and settled on my chest. “That might sweeten the deal a bit.”

“See? Silver linings, baby.”

“But not in here,” she snarked, wrinkling her nose. “It would ruin the color palette.”

“I’ll stick to bronze, I think.”

“A man with excellent taste. Are you sure you’re straight?”

“Very funny,” I said, tightening my grip and pulling her against my hips to grind my hard cock against her belly.

Her slender throat bobbed, lips parting a beat before she breathed, “Ahh, I see.”

“I don’t think you need to worry.”

“I wouldn’t say that. We have a serious problem.”

“And what’s that?” She wasn’t still mad about the building, right? She wouldn’t hold a grudge like that—

“You have paint on your face.”

“No, I don’t,” I said with a confidence I didn’t entirely feel, leaning back and loosening my hold to feel around my skin. Which was precisely when she lifted her hands from where they’d settled on my work shirt and smeared wet charcoal across my cheeks, shrieking as I lunged for her.

THIRTY-THREE

BREXLEY

I squealed like a stuck freaking pig when Rhyett chased after me, spinning out of reach and bolting down the hallway as I laughed maniacally. Those long arms snagged me around the waist, pulling a yelp up my lungs a beat before he shoved me up against the wall, caging me in as his lips taunted mine in a featherlight caress, a playful nip, and a torturous retreat when I made to kiss him.

Rhyett’s kickass speaker swapped to Eric Clapton singing “Wonderful Tonight,” making the whole situation feel a bit like a damn movie. My breath hitched with realization, eyes sliding shut as I dropped my head to the drywall.

“Eric Clapton, George Harrison.Of course. I should have known it was you over here, playing my music atall hoursof the night.”

“Yourmusic?” he balked. “I think you meanmymusic.”

“You’re right,” I snipped back, putting my hand on my hip as I popped it and leveled him with a glare. “My bad. I forgot you’re geriatric.”

The way his tongue ran over a canine gave me the distinct impression that I was about to be devoured by a very smug wolf. “Oh, that's how we’re gonna play? I’ll show you geriatric.” Before I could ask any questions, he flipped me over his shoulder, clapping me right on the ass as he marched us another few feet down the hall, kicking a door open with his booted foot.

What was it about a man in well-worn work boots that just instantly soaked my panties? Although maybe that had been the smack to my backside as he growled at me.

The moment the door latched behind us, Rhyett dumped me on my feet, trouble written over every inch of his face. Eyes lit with humor and lust as he caged me between his arms. It only took one look at my painted handprints down his face and neck to send me into a fit of laughter. The man’s smile only broadened, and then he pinned my hips to the door, leaning down and smearing his face up the side of my neck.

“Eww! Ahhrg!” Shoving my hands against his chest didn’t budge him a single freaking inch, but his laughter on my artery tightened that spring begging to release in my core. Heat flushed my skin, despite the sticky, damp layer he’d just spread over me. “Rhyett—”

The protest was cut short by his lips slamming against mine. The chemical odor of paint overwhelmed his mouthwatering scent, but it didn’t matter as he pressed me against the wall, a hand coming to grip my jaw as the other tugged at the hem of my shorts.

“Oh God,” I breathed as his thick fingers found the edge of my panties beneath the denim. “Rhyett.” His name sliced between us, only stoking his resolve as he ground into me.

“Talk to me, baby.”

“I need you inside me.”

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