Sweat soaks my shirt as I bolt upright in bed.
Shit.
I run my hands through my damp, tangled hair. The flashbacks stopped a few months after leaving Blake. Something about being around him taps into my subconscious and makes me remember all this shit.
“What was it about this time?”
Blake’s voice startles me and I gasp, my hand flying to my chest.
“It was nothing, babe. Go back to sleep.”
“Lily, you’re drenched. Don’t tell me it was nothing, I know better.”
He grabs the back of my shirt, pulling me back down in bed. Leaning upon his good arm, he hovers over me, trailing his fingers down my cheek. Moonlight illuminates his face, and I’m awestruck by his beauty. Even after what I’ve done to him, he’s still trying to help me, give me hope.
I stroke his cheek, the stubble rough under my fingertips. His lips press against mine and my eyes flutter closed. This is home . . . where I belong. My hand skims up his chest, tracing the contours of his muscles.
“I love you,” he whispers against my lips.
Moaning, I capture his mouth with mine again. His tongue invades my mouth, pulling me deeper into the chasm that opens every time he touches me. Gently, I twist, pushing him into the mattress and climbing atop him. Sitting up, I pull my shirt over my head and throw it to the floor. His hands move, excruciatingly slow, up my stomach toward my breasts.
Running his fingers along the top of my bra, he yanks each cup down, exposing my chest. He hums with appreciation, making me gasp as he sits up, wrapping his arms around my back. I rest my hands on his biceps as he trails kisses from the corner of my mouth, down my neck. He pulls one of my nipples into his mouth and sucks, hard. I throw my head back moaning, and I’m lost.
†††
I’m startled awake by my cell phone. Blake sits up, keeping his hand on my back as I grab it off the nightstand.
“Williams.”
“The fax will be there in five minutes. You and Python move out in twenty.” The line goes dead.
Fucking Bates. His timing blows.
I punch the speed dial for Dresden.
“Yeah?”
“Bates called. We got twenty minutes.”
“Well, fuck.”
“I agree.”
“Let’s do this,” he says before hanging up.
I slide out of bed, grabbing my duffel bag and throwing it on the end of the mattress. Blake sits up, rubbing his face. He rolls his bad shoulder, wincing.
“Don’t do that,” I snap. “You need to heal. Stop trying to rush it.”
“Where are you go
ing, baby?” His voice is apprehensive, a hint of fear coming through.
“That was Bates. Dres and I have an assignment.”
“Already?” My heart hurts at the pain in his voice.
Pulling on my black leggings, I rush to him, capturing his mouth with mine, tangling my fingers in his hair. He tilts his head, pulling me into his lap and deepening the kiss. Pulling away, my breathing is labored, and passion dances in Blake’s eyes.