“They’re not. Not even close. But they are both survivable. Both are forgivable.” She reached for his hand. “If you can’t forgive yourself yet… at least let me.”
Silence filled the cabin, but he didn’t push her away. Not this time.
“Let’s go home,” he said finally.
She nodded, swallowing past the ache in her throat. “Okay.”
The secondthey stepped through his door, he had her.
Rush shoved it shut with his boot and backed her against the wall, his mouth unerringly finding hers. She opened for him instantly, sweet and eager, and the second her lips parted under his, he lost whatever grip on control he had left.
Her coat hit the floor, and then his hands were under her dress, dragging it up, baring smooth skin he couldn’t get enough of. Lily gasped when the cold air hit her legs, but he was there tocover her, his palms possessive and greedy for her narrow waist, her ribs, and finally the soft weight of her breasts under the thin dress.
No bra. No nipple covers, thank God. Her nipples were already hard, pressing against his palms through the fabric. He wanted them in his mouth.
“Rush—” Her whimper only made him hungrier.
Behind him, a sharp bark broke through the fog of his desire, followed by the click of nails on wood. Riggs nosed them curiously, and Rush dropped his head to the crook of Lily’s shoulder with a grumbledfuck.
Christ. He needed to get himself under control.
He couldn’t help it. Lily, with her sweet eyes and her body made for sin, made him lose his damn mind every time he touched her.
“Hi, Riggs,” Lily said cheerfully, reaching to scratch his head. The nosy dog leaned into her touch and sat at her feet like he’d been waiting his whole life for her attention. “I think he likes me now.”
Rush’s mouth trailed down her neck—how the fuck did she always smell so good?—biting and sucking at the graceful column. “I like you now,” he said gruffly. “Go lie down, Riggs. This is mine.” He was only half joking.
Riggs gave a sharp bark of protest then nudged Lily’s hand for more pets. She laughed, delighted, and obliged him while Rush glared at his dog.
“Who’s a handsome boy? I knew you’d come around,” she baby-talked him while Rush’s cock throbbed painfully, begging for her attention. Figured Riggs would turn into a lapdog at the worst possible moment. He’d never liked any of the women Rush had brought home over the years, but now, apparently, he couldn’t get enough of Lily. Damn dog.
“Go,” he said more sternly. “She’ll pet you later.”
Riggs gave an annoyed huff but padded back to the kitchen with a long-suffering sigh.
Rush turned back to Lily and lightly scraped his teeth on her neck.
“Mmm,” she sighed, tilting her head for more. “Where were we?”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him like she couldn’t get close enough. He pressed her into the wall, eating up every sound she made, every arch of her body against his… until she froze.
Her arm brushed against the cold weight at his side. His gun.
Shit. He shrugged out of his suit coat and tossed it over the banister.
“What’s that?” She leaned back, her eyes widening at the sight of his shoulder holster.
“My gun,” he said shortly. He drew it, checked the safety, and set it on the table by the door. Out of habit, he pulled the cuffs from his pocket to set down, but he paused.
He turned back to Lily. Lips swollen the same deep red as her dress. Breathing fast and watching him with those same wide, curious eyes she’d had at his cabin.
Something darker unfurled inside him.
He caught her hand and tugged her closer to the stairs. She followed, her eyes flickering nervously to the table, to the gun, then back to the cuffs still in his hand. Jesus. That shouldn’t have been as fucking hot as it was.
“Cuffs? At a Christmas party?” she whispered.
The tiny shiver gave her away. She knew exactly what he was going to do, and she wanted it, even if it made her nervous.
