Page 80 of Reckless Devotion

“Hell no.” She scoffs, spinning and beginning to march back along her pensive route, eyes glued to the floor. “Maybe we should just…I don’t know, back off for a bit?”

Not this again. My teeth grind together, and I could swear I hear the wood protest beneath my tightened grip. I take in the way her breath rushes quickly in and out of her mouth, the downturned slant to her lips and the way she can’t meet my gaze.Anxiety.

“Are you saying this because it’s truly what you want? Or are you pushing me away to try and protect yourself from some perceived emotional risk?”

Her eyes dart to mine, alarm creasing her brow. “How did you—”

“I’m not letting you run from this just because you are scared, Pepper.” My voice sounds a little frosty to my own ears, so I make a conscious effort to regain control before I speak again. “If you choose to walk away because you truly don’t want this, then that is fine, but I won’t accept any other reason.”

A small part of me is beginning to wonder if I would truthfully accept any reason at all. The dark swirling thing inside me wants to follow her to the ends of the earth to make sure she’s mine. I mentally shake off the stark thought, writing myself off as still being drunk from all the sun, sand, and filthy sex.

“You won’t?” She breathes, eyes as clear and stunned as a summer sky.

“Not only will I not accept it”—I stand, covering the distance between us in one stride and pulling her into my arms—“but I’ll be banging at your door every damn day if you try.”

Her breathing stutters and I count every faint freckle painting the bridge of her nose as I wait. Instead of speaking, she flings her arms around my neck, rolling onto her tiptoes and dragging my head down to kiss me with such force that it takes me a moment to catch up.

I groan, melting into her warmth, and scoop her off the floor, wrapping her long legs around my waist. My skin prickles and I want to rip my clothes off just to feel more of her. She’s like a deer in headlights, and I’d do anything to get her to see that they’re actually the sun. This thing between us, it’s the sun. Blinding, molten, sizzling. I knew I missed her, but I didn’t realize until this moment how much Ineedher.

She whimpers as I thrust my tongue into her mouth, stroking, flicking with each swipe of hers, meeting her in the dance of need she vibrates with. Her fingers clutch my hair, her nails digging in and sending all of my blood rushing south. The front of my thighs hit something solid, and I set herdown, ignoring the faint clatter of objects falling—one of which splashes droplets of warm liquid over my leg.

I draw away from her puffy lips, both of our breaths coming in hard as I glance at the large coffee stain seeping across the beige carpet.

“Oops.” She giggles, her hands dropping to my shoulders.

“Not important,” I growl, diving right back in for more and dragging her hips to mine in a way that makes her squeal.

A sharp buzz splits the air, followed by Tessa’s voice over my intercom. “I have Zeke Guerra on line one for you.”

“Fuck’s sake.” I drop my forehead to her shoulder.

The tinny voice cuts in again. “And he told me to tell you that if you don’t take his call, he’ll deliver ten tons of manure to the lobby.”

Pepper lets out a breathy giggle, her hands still clutched at the lapels of my suit. I love my friends, but this better fucking be important. I lift my head and snatch up my receiver, pressing the blinking first line.

“What do you want?” I grumble into the phone, and then angle the mouthpiece away as I growl quietly to Pepper. “Just hold on a minute.”

“No problem,” she whispers mischievously and her hand drops to take hold of my dick.

I grunt, my free hand landing palm-splayed on the desk as she squeezes, offering me a feline smile that screws every rational thought out of my brain. She tips her chin, daring me to play her game.

“You little—”

The blaring of a deep voice in my ear drags me back to the call. “So, do you know him?”

“Know who?” I ask Zeke as Pepper unbuttons my pants and slips her hand inside, eyes twinkling.

“This Rénir guy, he keeps asking to set up a meeting with me and telling my assistant you and him have connections.”

My lips part as she slips from the desk and falls to her knees, dragging my fully erect dick from my boxer briefs and eyeing it in anticipation. Oh holy fuck, I’m so screwed.

“Who?” I ask absently as she turns those beautiful big brown eyes my way, the soft pink tip of her tongue swiping across her lower lip and leaving it glistening.

Sparks of pleasure burst and my cock bounces in her grip, my splayed palm turning into a fist.

“What the fuck are you doing? Are you even listening to me?” Zeke’s irritated voice floats into one ear and straight out the other.

“Er, kinda busy, bud.” I draw in a sharp intake of breath as the angel before me swipes her tongue up the underside of my dick, swirling it around the thick ridge at my tip.