Eternally Devoted (Frostbite 4)

I laughed, having no doubt he did, as he continued, “I called the White Castle P.D. to send someone over to Wayde’s house in Baton Rouge, but the cops told me Max had already called it in.”

Kipp squeezed his arms around me and I loved him holding me just like this while talking to each other. So simple, but something we simply couldn’t do before. I sank into his arms as he went on. “Once we landed at the airport, I stole some guy’s phone away and called Max. He told me you were at the Animus now.”

I recalled when Max had received a phone call after Alexander had crossed, and that he immediately talked to Eddie and to Zach. Also, that Caley seemed aware of Kipp’s impending arrival. I turned to Max and gave a glare I suspected held little heat. “Thanks for the warning.”

He smiled, crinkling his warm eyes. “Kipp wanted to surprise you.”

God, they were lucky I hadn’t passed out or had a heart attack. Both were possibilities. Shaking my head at Max, I noticed the sweet affection in his eyes as he looked between Kipp and me, as well as saw the same happiness in every set of eyes watching us now.

Right then, a sudden hard grip wrapped around my arm, and I found myself dragged forward into another body. Brandon squeezed me tight, his cheek pressing against the top of my head. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you, Tess, for bringing him back to us.”

Kipp smiled at me, and I smiled in return, sinking into Brandon’s hug. While I thought it sweet he was thanking me, I wasn’t sure it was appropriate, since I hadn’t saved Kipp for Brandon.

After Brandon released me, Kipp immediately pressed himself against my back again, reminding me he never would be far away. I wiggled against Kipp’s chest, loving him so close.

“No need to thank me,” I told Brandon. “Trust me, I acted entirely for selfish reasons.” Kipp tensed behind me and I whispered, “I wanted him all for myself.”

“Now you have me.”

At the huskiness in Kipp’s voice, I spun in his arms and the look I found on that handsome face made me take a step back. Sure, I wanted Kipp to attack me with some delicious sex. But when all of that intoxicating intensity was focused entirely on me it made me feel like one little woman in the hands of a powerful man.

Apparently, there was a truth to Kipp McGowen I hadn’t seen yet. Perhaps he restrained it because of all we’d been through. However, clearly, when he wanted something, he took it. The offer he had extended hadn’t been one he’d allow me to refuse, yet he had allowed me to say what I needed to.

He’d been patient…for me.

His patience had vanished.

The sound of Zach chuckling caught my attention before I heard him say, “I’ll book us a flight home for the morning, then?”

Kipp didn’t even look at him—and I didn’t look away from Kipp—as he matched my step back. “Make it an evening flight.”

“You’re all welcome to stay here tonight,” Dane said.

I assumed he talked to Max and the others since they all thanked him, even Caley sounded pleased with a sigh of relief. We all needed a good sleep, but I suspected I wouldn’t be getting much of that tonight.

Kipp stalked me with a hunger that surprisingly made me feel hunted. The dark night surrounded his back as the light from the porch casted a glow over the right side of his very, masculine body. “You…” I gulped. “You’re…”

His grin took on a devilish edge. “Currently thinking about getting you naked, ensuring those cheeks burn brighter, and making both our bodies drip sweat.” He didn’t lower his voice, and at the laughter around us, it became obvious he didn’t give a flying flip either.

I took another step back. “Seriously, you want to do this now? There…there are cops we don’t know in that house.”

Not that I was opposed to an entire night of hot sex with Kipp, but maybe…just maybe…I’d gotten used to ghost sex. Now I realized, when I first met Kipp, I’d been much shyer than him. Perhaps I hadn’t had real sex in so long it made me feel almost inexperienced.

This man approaching me held a confident edge that made butterflies dance in my belly. That same confidence that had made me notice him in the first place, as well as embarrass the hell out of me.

Before, I’d been the only one who heard Kipp’s dirty talk and overtly sexual ways. Maybe I thought that part of his personality would change when Kipp wasn’t a ghost.

Apparently, I was wrong.

I actually liked that.

My Kipp…

Chapter Eighteen

Kipp’s stride lengthened until he was on me, and he gathered me in his arms. He said nothing to the others as he headed up the front porch stairs. He merely stared at me and held me under my butt while I wrapped my arms around his neck. Under the promise of pleasure in his gaze, my breath caught and my mouth went dry.

In quick time, he entered the house and passed by police. As one tried to stop us, I heard Max call out to him, which allowed Kipp to journey to the upper floor. The house, except for the soft mummers from downstairs, was quiet. The only sound around me was Kipp’s feet against the creaky wooden floor.