She took her time shampooing and conditioning her hair with the expensive and great-smelling products Ice had left for her. She wondered vaguely where he’d gotten them. Where he’d gotten the money for the dress. The motel was inexpensive, so it was confusing that he’d laid down so much money for their wedding.
Wedding. She groaned and stepped out of the shower, wrapping her hair in a towel so she could see what she could do about her face. She didn’t have her clothes, and she needed them. She bent over the sink to study the swelling. It wasn’t nearly as bad as it had felt when Winston hit her. Her ribs ached a little and so did her stomach from where Winston had punched her. Actually, her stomach hurt more than anything else, which was probably why she didn’t have any interest in food.
The door behind her opened and Ice sauntered in, coming right to her. Before she could straighten, he laid a hand on the middle of her back, holding her in place while his other hand caressed and stroked the cheeks of her bottom. She closed her eyes and just savored the way he made her feel. Beautiful. Desirable. Sexy. Like a woman. Wholly feminine.
“I love the way you smell,” he said. “Brought you some clothes, but now that I see the temptation, I don’t know.” His hand slid lower, fingers finding the instant response he seemed to generate, that slick heat. He buried his fingers deep and then stroked them over her burning clit.
She couldn’t help pushing back against his hand. “Ice, we aren’t really married, are we?” She sounded breathless. Wanting. She was so addicted to him it was insane. “I mean I know we were at the chapel, but you can’t want . . .” She drifted off, because his fingers were magic and it was impossible to hold comprehensive thoughts.
“Definitely married, baby. Have the marriage certificate to prove it. We’re locked in nice and tight. Spent all night fucking you. Considering spending the next few days doing the same but not in this dump. You deserve so much better, and I want you to see the house.”
“The house?” she echoed faintly. Reality was getting away from her. “There’s a house?”
“Yeah, princess. A house. It isn’t exactly the castle you deserve, but it’s nice. And Lana wants us to get home so she can see for herself that you’re all right.” His fingers were gone, and he smacked her on her left cheek a second time. “Get dressed, baby, and let’s get on the road.”
She leaned against the sink, watching him saunter out with that same easy stride that looked like a leisurely prowl. He was so sexy. So hot. One didn’t marry someone just because they could provide endless orgasms, did they? Could you fall in love with a cock? She had. She was in love with everything about him and definitely his cock. Her body was singing. Alive. Happy. She was happy, if she could push away the guilt. She desperately needed to have the talk with him, but she didn’t want to lose him.
She took a deep breath and dressed. The clothes were brand-new and fit perfectly. She let herself remember shopping with him. Such a beautiful, unforgettable night. She remembered him making her laugh when she was so scared walking in the open down the street, so afraid Winston or one of his friends would see her. Ice made her feel safe. His brothers and Alena crowded around her, taking her back in the bar, giving her something she’d never had before.
What was she thinking? Even if she could escape into another life, she had no way of fitting in. She didn’t know the first thing about club life. Or relationships. She’d blow that right away. She stared at herself as she brushed her teeth with the toothbrush that was left for her on the sink, still in its wrapper. He’d thought of everything, including a brush, comb and hair ties. She braided her hair on the off chance that she lost her mind completely and went with him. She wasn’t going to do that. She needed to stop the nonsense before it was completely out of hand, but . . .
Ice was there again, and she realized he hadn’t closed the door between the bathroom and the main room. She hadn’t even noticed because she was so deep in thought. He caught her thick braid and tugged, pulling her head back.
“You thinkin’ of leavin’ me already, baby?” He tugged again.
His eyes met hers and the blue was more crystal, more glacier than she remembered. Sexy as hell. It felt as if he were seeing all the way to her soul. Her sex clenched and her stomach did that slow roll. She pressed her hand there. He didn’t let go of her hair and she felt the pull on her scalp, a small bite of pain that was more erotic than anything else.