Page 137 of Bone Deep
It's so soft. Like wearing a cloud. I throw on socks and head for the kitchen to pull the steaks out so they can come to room temperature before cooking. I get everything laid out on the island and start organizing ingredients when I hear footsteps coming down the hall.
I glance up.
And nearly choke on my own fucking tongue.
Spence walks into the kitchen wearing black slacks and a fitted black turtleneck. A black. Fucking. Turtleneck. His dark hair is still damp and pushed back from his face. The sleeves hug his forearms perfectly. The slacks mold to his thick thighs and narrow hips in a way that should honestly qualify as attempted murder. He's carrying shoes in one hand. Presumably mine.
He stalks toward me with that cool, composed expression he wears like armor and bends down to place the shoes near my feet. I slip them on automatically, still staring at him like I've never seen a man before. Then I step back and hold my arms out.
“Well?” I ask. “How do I look?”
His nostrils flare slightly as he scans me from head to toe. The look in his eyes turns molten. Then he meets my gaze and says in a low, possessive voice, “You look like fucking mine.”
Every molecule of oxygen leaves my body. The only thing powering me now is instinct as I close the distance between us and grab him by the hips, tugging him flush against me. I press our foreheads together, then softly say, “Then claim me already, Counselor.”
His hands slide around my waist before landing possessively on my ass. “I'm trying, Ry,” he murmurs. “I'm doing the best I know how. I'm giving more than I ever thought I'd be able to.”
Emotion swells so fast in my chest it almost hurts. I nod against his forehead. “I know.” I rub my nose against his softly. “I'm not going anywhere, okay?”
A deep hum vibrates out of him. “I know. I’m getting closer, Ryan.”
I pull back just enough to frame his face in my hands. “When you're ready.”
His eyes search mine carefully. “When I'm ready,” he repeats quietly.
I smile softly. “I'm going to lean in and kiss your cheek now because I can't not kiss your skin right now.” I brush my thumbs along his jaw. “Is that okay?”
I watch his throat work. Then he gives me the tiniest nod and closes his eyes.
Fuck. That trust destroys me.
I lean in and kiss his right cheek. Then his left. Then I tilt his chin upward and press a kiss to his Adam's apple before trailing them slowly up the side of his neck toward the spot just below his ear.
“Ry—” he whines.
My cock jumps hard in my jeans. I cup him through his slacks and whisper against his skin, “Those lips are going to be the sweetest reward.”
A rumble from his chest vibrates against my own.
“So worth the wait,” I continue softly. “I'm going to chew on them every chance I get once they're mine.”
“Jesus, Ryan.”
I press one final kiss beneath his ear before forcing myself to pull away completely. He looks absolutely wrecked. Dazed. Flushed. Breathing hard. Honestly? It's nice being on the other side of that for once.
Then there's a knock at the door.
Spence startles and his eyes widen in panic as he looks down at the very obvious bulge in his slacks.
“Damn you, Ryan.”
He tries adjusting himself. It somehow makes it worse.
I snicker as I breeze past him toward the front door. Time to introduce Spencer Stark to the insanity that is my sisters.
I pull the door open, and my sisters come barreling inside all chaos and beauty and perfume, and something in my chest eases just seeing them. I give them my brightest smile and hold my arms open wide. “Cricket. Bug. Bring it in.”
They rush toward me like a hurricane of affection, tackling me in a hug that nearly knocks me off my feet. Cricket's arms squeeze tight around my shoulders, and I feel her breath warm against my ear as she whispers, “It's so good to see you, baby bro.”
