He wasn’t. At all. Deacon got bored. He needed the adventure, the challenge. So why wasn’t he jonesing to get back on the missions? Somehow, Solene had become his challenge. Was this a temporary fix? A change of pace from the norm until it grew stale? He’d felt something for her from the beginning. A fascination, then an affection. And now…
He thought it might be love, but what the fuck did he know about that? He’d sure as hell never experienced it firsthand. Deacon knew enjoyment, hatred, satisfaction. But any love he’d once had for his mother had wasted away a long time ago. And since then, he hadn’t wanted to trust that much in anyone.
But he wanted to trust in Solene.
He said goodbye to Noel, promising to check in later and once again in the morning before returning. He could see the man itching to get back to Addy, buoyed with happiness at just being with her.
The bathroom shower turned on, and Deacon wondered if he’d be welcome to watch Solene bathe. To step in and scrub her back.
After all she’d been through, though, she needed the alone time. And he needed to figure out what the hell he thought he was doing with her, and just where he thought it might take him in the long run.
Solene letthe hot water sluice over her body, cleansing away her anxiety if not her concern. She tried to make sense of her fuzzy memories now returning. Of going into that restroom on the ferry and talking to that weird woman with the wings tattoo. The woman’s warning rang clear as a bell, and Solene stared at the condensation fogging the glass of the shower.
“He’s just using you. That’s what he does. The Shadow floats into your life, promises great times, tells you he loves you, then floats away. He did it to me. He’ll do it to you. Once he has what he wants, he’ll leave you like the nothing whore that you are.”
Was that woman right? Did Deacon plan on using and losing her? Except he’d never made her any promises or admitted his undying love. He hadn’t committed to staying one day past the end of his mission to protect Little Dee and learn who had targeted them.
As Solene well knew, men weren’t trustworthy. They lied and cheated without a care for the consequences. Hell, she and Deacon had shared horror stories about dating. He knew her stance on relationships—she didn’t have them anymore. And he didn’t either. Both were on the same page.
So how in good conscience could she think he was just using her? Yet after all she’d been through, how could shenotafford to doubt him?
A knock at the door startled her, and she dropped the soap.Oh yeah, that’s what I need to be doing. Bending over to pick up the soap at the precise moment Deacon saunters in.She snickered at the thought, glad at least she hadn’t lost her sense of humor.
“Solene, are you okay?” A pause. “Can I come in?”
Should he? He’d already seen her naked. What if he wanted to get his sexy on again? Should she let him? Would he be using her if she used him right back?
“Come in,” she called out before she could second-guess herself. She had limited time with a man who made her body sing. Why shouldn’t she be using him?
He entered and paused, staring at her through the glass. His gaze roamed with concern, not lust, which made her feel…cared for. “You okay?”
“Just rinsing off the stuffiness. My head’s ringing a little, but I’m mostly back to normal. I should be fine soon.”
“Blondie, you’re fine now.” He didn’t smile, didn’t tease or try to make her laugh. His gaze had turned from caring to lustful, and she shared that same hunger. Too much.
“Are you using me?” she blurted, wanting to see his expression.
He continued to stare at her naked body, focused on her breasts.
“I asked if you’re using me.”
His gaze met hers, and he scowled. “Where the fuck didthatcome from?”
“From the tattooed bitch who drugged me.” She fumed. What she wouldn’t give to go back and kick that chick right in the head.
“I think it’s time you told me what happened on the ferry.”
“While I’m naked?”
He shrugged, acting cool. Very unlike the way he’d been with her lately. She didn’t like it. Solene liked lusty, out of control, wild Deacon more.
She cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples, and saw his eyes narrow. “But I’m naked. Andwet.” A glance down his front showed an impressive erection. “I’m hot too, Deacon. Don’t you want to help cool me down?” She turned and braced herself against the tile, flaunting her ass at him. She felt naughty, powerful, and finally in control—of this situation at least.
“You want to get fucked, Solene? Is that it?” He tried to sound blasé, but she read his interest loud and clear.
“I don’t want it baby, Ineedit.” She used her breathy voice, the obvious come-on. He wouldn’t fall for it, but it was fun teasing him.
Except Deacon was stripping down in a race to beat the clock.My-oh-my.He was beautiful. Strong thighs, muscular arms and a broad chest. He looked like someone had crossed an Olympic swimmer and soccer star and made perfection.
