“Yeah, of course. I’ll take care of everything down here.”
I head up to my room, taking a roundabout route to check the rooms on the main floor. I pause when I reach the hallway to my bedroom and see Baylor pacing just outside my door.There he is.
“Baylor?”
He stops in his tracks and looks up at me through a veil of desperation.
“Are you all right?” I search his face, feeling a strange sensation in my chest.
His breathing turns shallow, like he’s in pain. Then, it’s as if something snaps in his head. His willpower? His sanity?
In three strides, Baylor has his body pressed against mine. Cradling the back of my head, he spins me and slams me up against the wall.
I open my mouth in surprise, and he kisses me hard, darting his tongue between my parted lips.
There’s a longing in the way he claims me. He’s biting at my lips and stroking his hot tongue against mine, hungry and wild. It’s like he’s finally been set free from restraints he’s grown too familiar with. He doesn’t know how to control his assault.
From the throbbing between my legs, I don’t think I mind his chaotic kisses. I like them so much that I wrap my arms around his middle, push off the wall, and trade places with him.
He grunts and then smiles lazily against my lips. “I’ve been dying to do this all night.”
“You have?” I ask between kisses.
His forearm presses into my lower back, bringing me even closer. “I’ve never been so turned on while losing money.”
I reach up and fist his hair as he releases a husky moan into my mouth.
“Aspen, you forgot—”
I jump back from Baylor when I hear Henry’s voice coming toward us.
“Your phone,” he slowly finishes, looking at the two of us.
There’s no hiding or denying what he just walked in on. I’m panting and flushed, and Baylor’s shirt is hanging open.
When did I do that?
I can’t read Henry’s expression to know what he’s thinking. He doesn’t look angry. Or surprised. Or even disgusted. It’s like a tiny wheel is spinning in his head as he processes everything.
After a beat, Henry lifts his arm and hands me my phone.
I snatch it nervously. “Thank you.”
Baylor draws in a breath and tilts his head back against the wall behind him, staring up at the ceiling.
Henry nods steadily, still switching his gaze from me to Baylor.
I hook my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m just going to, um …” I’m turning the handle to my room before I finish.
My chest heaves as my back hits the door.
I don’t know what that kiss was, but it felt … good. Better than good. It feltright.
9
More Than Ever
It’s four in the morning on Christmas Day, and I’m wide awake. Torn from a fitful sleep by a naughty dream, I wander downstairs to find something to keep my mind occupied.
