Page 60 of Unhinged

He wrapped his free arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. “Hey, cut me some slack. I just moved in.”

“Are you kidding me? This place looks like it belongs on an episode of Hoarders!” She threw her head back in laughter, but it was cut short as he slipped a hand down to smack her bottom. She danced away from him, retreating farther down the hall, one hand covering the stinging flesh as she pouted prettily. “Ow!”

“Serves you right.” He narrowed his eyes and slowly advanced toward her. She bit her lip and threw a quick glance over her shoulder, already taking a step backward. He lunged at her with a low growl, and her high-pitched shriek morphed into laughter as she whirled away and darted into the bedroom.

He took off after her, slowing his pace as he crossed the threshold. She stood across the room, the large king-sized bed between them. “Trapped now, beautiful.”

He rounded the foot of the bed with slow, measured steps, all the while watching Hannah’s body twitch with anticipation. With a sudden burst of movement, he hurdled the corner of the bed and swept her into his arms. Hannah let out a squeal but managed to evade his clasping hands and scramble free. She was almost across the bed when he grabbed her ankle and pulled her back to him.

Hannah dissolved into a fit of laughter as he rolled her to her back. One knee pressed to the mattress between her legs, he caged her in his arms. Her gray eyes met his, and her smile faded, her gaze suddenly serious and intent.

His heart raced as he stared down at her. Her skin, though perpetually tan from the hot Florida sun, was flushed, and he traced a path over the apple of her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered closed, and he ran the tip of one finger down the curve of her jaw and over her bottom lip. Hannah’s chin lifted instinctively, and he brushed a kiss across the plump flesh of her mouth.

Her eyes slid open and met his as he pulled back. Her hand lifted to cup his cheek, and he turned his chin into her palm, the bristles of his five o’clock shadow grazing her soft skin. His body felt like it was on fire, and though he ached to be inside her, he didn’t think she was ready for that just yet.

He drew in a deep breath and forced the words past his tongue. “We should stop.”

“What if I don’t want to?” Hannah’s tongue darted out, wetting her bottom lip, and he let out a low growl.

“Doc, I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”

Her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, her voice low and breathy. “Don’t.”

He met her halfway, ravaging her mouth, and her fingers deftly slipped the buttons free of their holes. The fabric hung loose at his sides, and she placed her palms on his chest, the heat of her touch searing his flesh.

He needed to hear the words. “Tell me what you want.”

The wait was agonizingly long before she finally broke the silence. “You, Luke. I…” She licked her lips and blinked up at him, eyes hooded and sultry. “I want you.”

It was almost unfathomable that she would trust him with this. His heart swelled with pride and admiration as he brushed the hair away from her face with one hand. He needed to take his time with her, make sure she enjoyed this first time because he planned on doing it more than once. A lot more.

Her body trembled, and he lifted his gaze to hers. “Nervous or… excited?”

“Both.”

The word came out on a breathy whisper, and he couldn’t help but smile. He leaned forward and dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “You’re so beautiful, Hannah. Every inch of you is absolutely perfect.”

To reinforce his words, he placed a row of gentle kisses down the column of her neck. She was so beautiful, so perfect—and she was all his. Desire simmered in his veins, infusing him with a power he’d never experienced before. He felt like he’d splinter into a thousand pieces if she pulled away from him now.

“Are you sure about this? If not…”

Her fingers curled into his hair, silencing his questions as she pulled his head down for another kiss, and he gave in to sweet bliss.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-SIX

Where was she?

The man drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he gazed at the little house. The vantage point wasn’t ideal, but he couldn’t risk getting any closer. Though a single light blazed brightly in the living room, he hadn’t sensed any movement in the twenty minutes since he’d arrived.

Needing to see for himself, he cast a quick look around then slid from the car. Keeping to the shadows, he cut through the neighbor’s yard, coming in from the back. Just as he drew even with the house, the light in the living room clicked off. He ducked behind a large rhododendron, then counted to fifty.

All remained silent and still, and he risked a peek through the living room window. The TV wasn’t on, and the coffee table was devoid of any cups or dishes. It didn’t look like she’d been there all evening. Although her car was in the driveway, the house seemed… empty. Lifeless.

Something wasn’t right. His gut churned as he stole through the shadows to the back door. The routine was comforting in its familiarity. He knew every inch of her house inside and out; he’d sat on her couch, run his hands over the clothes in her closet… lain in her bed.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, spurring him on. Soon, so very soon, she’d be there with him. He’d made significant strides with her these past few months—except for their recent hiccup.