Page 129 of Aftershock
Of course, Alaric isn’t one to waste time. Not even a second.
A little breathless and yet oh-so-hot, he’s right here, less than a foot away.
His scruff has thickened slightly throughout the day. The stethoscope around his neck looks sinister after this morning. The blood on his scrubs—I hope it means he saved a lot of people.
That last thought is a fleeting one, because then my focus lands on his mouth.
These gorgeous full lips.
“Hey.” His hands claim my cheeks as he tips my head up and leans in. Anyone watching would think his hands are loving and possessive. Only I know they’re a killer’s hands. A vigilante’s hands. “I had another doctor step in for a few minutes. Couldn’t wait until later tonight to see you.”
“You do realize…” I’m heady from the soft brush of his lips over mine. I’m equally committed to teasing him. It’s our thing. And he loves it. “You could’ve just asked for a selfie.”
“Brat.” Thespark in his eyes tells me that, yes, he’s into our games. No, he’s more than into it. I think after the day he must’ve had, he needs it. “I’ve missed you, and you’re talking to me about selfies?”
“With the right lighting, it could look very”—my throat locks when he kisses the corner of my mouth—“um…very…”
“Yes?” His tongue swipes slowly, sensually along my bottom lip.
“Very real.” I cling to his neck before my traitorous knees give out on me. “Veryreal.”
“Fuck selfies, I want the real thing,” he growls, then takes my mouth in a brutal, ravenous kiss.
The fact that we’re in the middle of the cafeteria means nothing to him. He threads his fingers into my hair, messing it up as he licks and tastes every inch of my mouth. When that’s not enough, he pulls me as close as he can without having me touch his blood-soaked scrubs.
Somehow, after the long day he’s had, he still smells so good. Like mint. Like his cologne. Like him.
Everything about him is intoxicating, addictive. And that includes his touch.
The rough yet smooth strokes of his thumbs over my cheeks remind me of the way he rubs my clit. His tongue in my mouth carries the same feral hunger as when he eats me out.
But I need to wait.
He has to go back to work first, then deal with the man in his basement.
I haveto give him the space to do both.
“Alaric.” I pull away. “Wait.”
“What?” His hungry glare searches mine. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Unable to help myself, I drag a finger over his wet bottom lip. That low grumble coming from him makes my thighs clench. “It’s just, we’re not alone.”
“Hi, hello.” Hope appears right on time in my periphery, waving.
A laugh tumbles out of me, then from the evening shift guys. Alaric flashes me one of his rare smiles that warms me all over.
“Hi, Hope.” He arranges us so my body is in front of his. Guessing what he’s trying to hide, I have to bite back a smile. “How are you?”
“If Lilith is happy, I’m happy.” She winks at me. “How are you, Alaric?”
“Great, thank you. If I can steal Lilith for a second.” He doesn’t wait before turning me to face him, hands on either side of my neck. “I’ll be late today, but I’ll come over once I’m done.”
A quick look into the deepest, most gorgeous blue eyes that have ever existed, and I can tell I was right.
The predatory gleam in them makes it obvious he’s going to his storage unit tonight.
“That’s okay.”As long as you fuck that abuser up, I’m good. “I’ll be waiting.”
