Hero (Alpha Mountain 1)

My mouth stamped over hers, my tongue swept between her lips. Still holding the front of her towel with one hand, I cradled her head with the other and kissed the hell out of Indigo Buchanan with a full-on, no holds barred assault. Then I changed the angle and kissed her harder. Made her feel all the frustrated, pent-up passion I’d had simmering for her for years.

Years.

“Now, you tell me,” I said, breaking the kiss abruptly, leaving her gasping, her cheeks flushed. My dick was achingly hard as I rolled my hips against her. “Do you think I find you attractive?”

Indi did the worst thing imaginable. She teared up.

Then she slapped me.

I took the hit and felt the blunt sting. That finally shook some sense into me, and I released her, taking a step back.

“Sorry,” I said quickly. “I’m sorry, Indi. I didn’t—”

Then she came rushing back, her arms around my neck as she did the assaulting this time. The towel fell away, and I had Indi’s soft, naked form pressed against mine. My arms went around her, feeling the silky skin of her back, the full globes of her perfect ass.

“Fuck,” I cursed, not even sure how I’d gotten myself here.

How I’d broken my vow to Buck. Because my hands were all fucking over her.

It didn’t matter. There was no way in hell I’d reject Indi again. Not when she showed me her vulnerability like that. Showed me that I was the reason she thought, even for one second, she wasn’t perfect. Wasn’t worthy. Shit, I hadn’t even known it, but I’d hurt her. She’d assumed I didn’t want her when that was the furthest thing from the truth.

If Buck were here, he’d kick my ass, but I’d take it. It’d be worth it.

“Beautiful,” I panted between hot kisses, my hands continuing to roam down the slope of her back. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” I squeezed her ass, lifting her hips to rub over mine.

She slid her hands up under my t-shirt, and I took her cue. I yanked it over my head and tossed it into the heap of clothing that littered the floor.

I caught her deer-in-the-headlights look as she took in my torso and slowed the fuck down. Aw, shit. She couldn’t still be a virgin, could she? No. There was no way. This body, this woman, not passionate?

“Wait—am I going too fast?” I asked.

She let out a scoff. “I’m not a virgin, Ford.”

Right. She’d offered me that part of her, and I’d refused it. She’d given it to someone else, and it was totally my fucking loss.

“We don’t have to do this. Fuck—we shouldn’t do this.”

But then her piss and vinegar returned. “I’m naked before you. Again. Don’t you dare make me feel like a slut again, Ford Ledger.”

“Slut?” I echoed in shock. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I was pissed now but only at myself. Because it seemed she believed I didn’t want her, and I thought her a slut? That was so fucked up, which meant I’d done a number on her.

“Christ, I never meant to make you feel that way.” I reached for her. “Come here,” I said, trying to soften my voice. “No wonder you hate me.”

“I do,” she muttered but allowed me to pull her back into my arms. Let me stroke her damp hair away from her face. “I’ve hated you since that night. You ruined my sex life.”

“No,” I groaned. The need to fix this, to mend what I'd broken, burned my already tattered resolve about not breaking my promise to Buck. I cradled one side of her face and brushed her cheek with my thumb. “You’re perfect. You were then. So brave. You are now. Let me show you.” I dipped my head to kiss her again, slowly this time. As I moved my lips across hers, I backed her toward the bed.

When her legs hit the mattress, I gently pushed her hips down and knelt between her knees.

“Can I show you?" My voice was rough with desire.

She held my gaze as I spread her wide. Her blue eyes were dark with heat, but she still seemed unsure. I hated that she didn't trust me.

“We shouldn’t,” she murmured. “You said—”

“You’re right. We shouldn’t. You think I hate you. I don’t. Fuck, no. If I ruined your sex life because of that night, then it’s my job to fix it.” I took in her perfect, pink pussy and groaned. She wasn’t waxed bare like some women. The brown hair there was trimmed short and neat. Thank fuck because I was hard for the grown-up Indi. The woman. “I’m supposed to take care of you. Whatever you need. And by the way your pussy’s dripping, it needs to come.”

Her head fell back on the messy bed, and she stared up at the ceiling. “Ford,” she whispered.