“Shh, I’ve got you,” he whispers, calm, steady, and resolute. All the air leaves my lungs in a whoosh as my eyes flutter closed. I know if he could see me right now, my face would be flushed a deep crimson from the apples of my cheeks down to my chest.
Rhys’ thumbs start to slowly move across my waist, a slow pass back and forth, back and forth. It’s hypnotizing. Electricity hums between us, my heart pounding so fast I’d be surprised if Rhys can’t hear it himself.
He shuffles forward into my space, his body inches from mine, the heat radiating off of him in waves. His masculine scent engulfs me, all cedar and leather and spice. Between the heat of his body, the touch of his hands, and the rich scent infiltrating my lungs, I’m about ready to actually swoon. It’s all-consuming.
One of his hands leaves me, and I miss it immediately. There’s a rustle, and then we’re illuminated by the flashlight of his phone. I move my head back slightly, my eyes squinting at the brightness. Green eyes are focused solely on my face, tracing all over my features as if he’s trying to commit them to memory.
“Stay right here, I don’t want you to trip over anything. I’ll get the door.” I nod my head, unable to form words. The hand currently resting on my waist squeezes ever so slightly, like he’s reluctant to let go, and then it’s gone completely, his body stepping away, taking with it all the warmth and tension building like an inferno.
Rhys walks back to the door, jiggling the handle twice and pulling to no avail. My heart sinks. You’ve got to be kidding.
“So, Bristol.” He smirks, turning to face me. “Did you know this door locks automatically when shut?” Fuck. I did know that. It’s because we keep our medical supplies in here. I’mstruggling to have him at the shelter at all with the emotions he’s pulling from me, and now we’re locked in a storage room together.
Kira would be laughing her ass off right now if she could see me. Actually, she’d probably tell me to jump his bones, but that is much more her style than mine. I don’t think I could have a casual relationship if I wanted to.
Rhys turns around, using his flashlight to find the light switch and flicking it on. The room erupts in the orange glow of fluorescent lights, and now there’s definitely no hiding my physical reaction to this sweet, gorgeous man. A reaction I most definitely shouldn’t be having as an engaged woman.
“Not that I’m complaining, but anyone you can call to come let us out?”
“I left my phone on the desk,” I say with a rough exhale, internally admonishing myself. If I hadn’t been so distracted by his close proximity, this never would have happened. “My assistant, Kendra, will be in soon, though, we’ll hear her and she’ll let us out.”
“I guess you’re stuck with me until then, huh?” he says, giving me that damn wink again. Rhys moves to an empty spot on the wall, taking a seat on the floor, his presence filling the room. I do the same across from him, sliding down the wall until my butt hits the ground, deciding space between us is probably a good thing.The appropriate thing.He sits with his knees up, his muscular forearms resting on the top, his hands draped loosely. He’s the epitome of casual male confidence.
He’s not trying hard, he has no flashy clothes or accessories, he’s wearing a ripped pair of denim jeans that hang loosely on his body, a long-sleeve black T-shirt, and a leather jacket thatlooks way too good on his muscular arms. It’s simple, and it suits him perfectly. He looks polished in a rugged, bad-boy way, but he’s all sweetness and happiness.
“So, Dr. Owens.”
“Yes, Rhys?”
“Tell me something,” he states, running a thick thumb across his bottom lip, eyes roaming over my body.
Good Lord, I feel that perusal all the way down to my toes, my nipples hardening, my clit pulsing. It’s so hard to breathe in this small space with just the two of us here. How does he have such an immediate effect on my body like this? I cross my arms over my chest and tilt my head to the side.
“What would you like to know?”
“Something no one else does.”
“And why would I share secrets with a stranger?” I tease.
“Who better to share them with? I’ve got no stake, no ulterior motives, no skin in the game.” He’s not wrong there. “We’re stuck in here together for who knows how long. Why not spill some secrets?”
“I’m craving connection,” I blurt without thinking, the words escaping my lips before I’ve realized I’ve said them. Rhys’ brows arch in surprise.
“Connection?”
“Mhmm.”
“And what would that look like to you?”
“I don’t know. Passion. Experiences. I used to have this appetite for life and experiences, and at some point, that faded away. I guess adulthood kind of creeps up on you somewhere between college and starting a career, and before you know it, you’ve become a people pleaser who conforms to everything around you, and your needs just fall to the wayside.”
“I understand that more than you know. The pressure coming in from all sides sometimes feels suffocating.”
“Yes! Exactly. Sometimes I just want to—” I let the words hang between us, looking away, the truth of what I really dream about sitting on the tip of my tongue.
“Want to what, Bristol?” He says the words with such conviction, like he’s hanging on the edge of a cliff, waiting on bated breath for my answer. Being under Rhy’s full attention doesn’t feel like being scrutinized or on trial like it does with Blake, it feels like a man desperate to find out everything he can about me. I should change the conversation, steer it back to something not so deep, something safer. But I can’t. The honesty pours from me like liquid leaving a cup.
“Run away from it all. Sometimes I just want to run away from everything.”
