My brain is going a million miles an hour, replaying every minute since the code gray yesterday when Malachi was brought in. More than that, I can’t stop analyzing every second in Tegan’s presence, trying to figure out exactly what it is about her that’s got me in such a chokehold. Whatever it is, it’s elusive. And real.
With a groan, I roll from my side to my back, the inability to get comfortable another thing keeping me awake. I’m a stomach sleeper, but there’s no sleeping on my belly. My cock’s hard enough to feel like lying on a shaft of iron rebar, though I cranked one out in the shower after getting Tegan settled into the spare room across the hall.
The room she’s in is the same one Hyram’s sister and niece used when Digg asked us to keep her safe after she picked up a stalker last year.It’s got extra security on the windows and a sheer three-story drop outside that will all but guarantee her safety. Still, leaving her in there, alone, had been nearly impossible. If it weren’t for the obvious exhaustion weighing down her body now that adrenaline had crashed out of her system, I might have caved and made excuses to linger.
Now, I ignore the throb of my erection, unwilling to jack off to fantasies of Tegan twice in one night. It’s bad enough I couldn’t stop my imagination from pretending my hand was actually her mouth working me over in the scalding-hot shower earlier. Just imagining her on her knees, looking up at me as I throat fucked her was enough to have me painting the tile wall embarrassingly fast.
My balls damn well ought to be drained after the that. My knees were so shaky I barely made it out of the shower and into my bed. I don’t think I’ve come that hard since I first learned what my dick was for. Unfortunately for my exhaustion, said balls are not, in fact, drained. Thoughts of Tegan and her sexy curves have me pent up and wide awake all over again.
Giving up on sleep, I roll onto my back and palm the tight sac cinching my balls tight to my body. Without any effort, I could damn near bust. My fingers roll them gently before cradling around them to tug sharply. The slight pain only intensifies the need coiling in my gut. My cock hardens, creating a bouncing tent of the sheet over my lap that glows blue from alarm clock’s light.
Everyone else is likely sleeping this time of night, so I bite my lip to stifle the groan I can’t choke back. I’m so focused on the fantasy of having Tegan in bed with me, feeling her artist’s fingers working me instead of my own, I nearly miss the soft knock at my door.
“V-V-Vincent? Um, Doctor Charmden?” Her husky whisper breaks the silence, and my cock kicks above the fist still clutching my balls.
“Be right there!” I answer, moving as quickly as my aching dick will let me. Untangling from the sheet and getting my balance, I grab a pair of basketball shorts on the floor beside the bed. I can’t sleep with clothes on, my body runs too hot for that, but I’ve learned the hard way that having shorts nearby in case of emergencies is absolutely necessary.
“O-o-okay.” She sounds hesitant, a far cry from the self-assuredness I’ve heard from her in the limited time we’ve been together. My senses prickle with a protectiveness usually reserved for my club brothers and their partners.
When I open the door, Tegan stands just on the other side of the threshold wrapped in the comforter from the bed she was in. My lizard brain immediately jumps to wondering what’s beneath the blanket, even as my rational mind takes in the pinch of anxiety creating a tight wrinkle between her brows. Her knuckles are white where she grips the blanket in a knot beneath her chin.
“What’s wrong?” It comes out harshly, but not because I’m upset at being disturbed. I’d let this girl interrupt every minute if she needed to. It’s concern sharpening my tone. Whatever the problem is, I’ll fix it.
“I heard a noise. Outside. Fenny’s out cold thanks to a pill I got from his vet to give him when he’s stressed out from being in a new place for the night. It helped when we first moved here, so I thought…” she stammers, stepping closer without seeming to realize it. I open my arms, and she falls into them without hesitation. She hasn’t known me long enough to trust me completely, but my ego preens at her instinct to accept my comfort.
“Here, get settled on my bed while I go check it out.” I move backward into my room, pulling her with me.
“No, don’t leave me. Please!” She lets go of her blanket cape to grab at my arm, clutching me to prevent me from stepping away. Blunt nails scratch along the sensitive skin of my inner bicep. I know it’s her fear response, but it’s been too long since I was with anyone, and I was already keyed up before she knocked. The hardon’s only just started to wane roars back as all the blood in me rushes to fill my cock.
“Okay, kitten, retract the claws. Just let me grab my phone, and I’ll get one of the guys to look.” My gut says it’s probably one of them she heard. I know Prez has everyone on high alert after what happened to Malachi. Fuckers should be more quiet, though. Tegan’s not used to this shit, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to guess she’d be jumpy.
“Tell him to be careful,” she demands, and my heart stutters at how perfect she is. Even scared out of her mind and thrown into a terrifyingly dangerous situation, she’s protective of others. Tegan’s everything I could want in a woman. I can’t call it luck that dropped her into my life, but whatever is responsible for bringing her to me, I’ll be doing anything it takes to keep her here.
Chapter
Ten
Tegan
There’s something about a man who doesn’t hesitate to move into action that really rings my chimes. Vincent didn’t question me, didn’t doubt or minimize my fear. He just jumped to address the possibility what I heard actually was a threat. Best of all, when I was too scared to be alone, he chose me over the instinct to run off and search for trouble.
“Get in the bed, kitten. I’ll keep you safe so you can get the rest you need.” He gestures to the enormous bed that dominates the room, and I don’t hesitate to climb up onto the mattress and crawl into the center. It isn’t until I hear Vincent’s low groan from the foot of the bed that I remember I hadn’t stopped to grab my robe before running from my room.
“Sorry,” I mumble, a hot blush scalding my cheeks.
“Never apologize for driving me wild, sweet girl. I sure as shit won’t apologize for wanting you.” He says it so confidently, and the confirmation I’m not alone in feeling this chemistry settles my nerves.
“You barely know me. We just met.” I don’t know why I say that. It doesn’t feel as if we’re strangers. Maybe, trauma bonding is to blame for the way being near him feels so natural.
“Time is relative and subjective. Don’t overthink it, just lie down and close your eyes. Everything will be better in the morning. You have my word you’re safe here.” His promise helps me relax, but I can’t help feeling bad for waking him up.
“At least, lie here with me. You shouldn’t have to give up your bed and stay awake when I’m crashing your bedroom.” I wriggle under the blanket, enjoying the way the sheets and pillows all smell like him. Citrus and just the tiniest bit of antiseptic mix with leather and cedar.
The mattress dips as Vincent settles behind me, his enormous body making a big spoon behind my smaller form. His tattooed arm snakes around my waist, and he pulls my back tight against his front. The swirls of bright color and bold black lines on his skin must tell a story, hopefully one he’ll share with me sometime. It’s so unexpected to think of how rough and dangerous he looks out of his hospital uniform, and I wonder if his patients have any idea the doctor patching up their sprained ankles and swabbing their tonsils for strep throat is a motorcycle-riding badass.
“Still scared?” he murmurs.
I reach for dignity. “I think I have a right to be, don’t you?”
