Bear glanced at Kane’s back. ‘You paid him for this?’
Scarlen nodded, forcing a smile, avoiding his lips, the desire to taste them strong. ‘Who needs another sweatshirt, anyway?’ She tried for a laugh but stopped when his other hand lightly brushed hers, money entering her palm.
‘You. You’re always cold.’
Looking at the money, all words left her, but not much else disappeared, as her heart was pounding far too loudly for such a quiet, enclosed space, and she was sure he could hear the hammering.
‘Thanks for letting me know, Scars.’
She cleared whatever was lodged in her throat, making swallowing difficult as the warmth from his breath licked her skin. ‘I …’ Nope, words failed to come together as he stepped closer into the shadow. Closer to her.
Bear lifted her chin, his silver eyes seeming extra bright in the darkness. His other hand still on her waist, his mouth inches from hers.
‘Three minutes,’ said Kane.
‘Did I say thanks, Scars?’
‘You did.’ She could barely breathe while locked in his gaze. What little air between them was charged more than a lightning rod, and anticipation was causing her emotions to skitter all over her body, reaching nerve endings and her soul. Her soul? Could he touch that?
‘It’s been a tough day.’
That was one word for seeing someone hang. ‘It has.’ She told herself not to cry as she met his gaze once more to find warmth and kindness. A show of gentleness. Everything she needed.
‘What do you need?’ he whispered, his thumb slowly stroking her top, the intensity in his gaze stealing her air.
You.She daren’t say the word, but he seemed to see right through her.
Bear dipped his head, his lips lightly brushing hers for a second before pressing his mouth down fully, and a small gasp gave a hint to the feelings he was suppressing, but she hid nothing, already lost in him. Lost to everything as the warmth of his tongue slowly slid across hers, wordlessly whispering wants and needs.
‘Two minutes,’ said Kane, and Bear heated the kiss at once.
Lightheaded from dancing on the highest clouds, Scarlen raked her hand into his hair, pulling him closer, holding him tighter as his strangled groan vibrated through to her core, inviting her legs to wrap around his waist, her desire for his skin to be on hers.
Bear left her lips to trail kisses down her neck as he pressed her against the wall, one arm holding her up, the other cupping her cheek while his erection pushed into her pyjama bottoms, showing her his need.
‘One minute.’
Scarlen grabbed his face, forcing his mouth back upon hers, tasting his tongue once more while arching into him so he knew she wanted more too. The alcove wasn’t private enough, Kane’s countdown too fast, her head in a whirl. ‘Bear,’ she breathed, and he kissed her harder.
‘Time.’
But they ignored Kane, Scarlen reaching her hand low to stroke Bear’s thick length, releasing a promise from her and a fierce gasp of need from him.
‘Pay him more,’ she whispered close to his ear, her body alive, all sensations hitting her at once, taking control, all else non-existent.
But Bear gently lowered her to her feet, and the prison was visible once more. ‘Tempting, but you deserve better than this alcove.’ He ran his hand up the side of her thigh, exploring her shape with a heated gaze. ‘Family time,’ he whispered. ‘Then I’ll kiss every part of you.’
‘Including my soul?’
A small smile hit the side of his mouth. ‘Why not? You just tasted mine.’ He pulled her back for one more fiery kiss, his breathing hard, his body pressing, and Scarlen was glad he had the willpower to finally let go, because she certainly had none.
‘Let’s go,’ said Kane.
The last part of Scarlen to touch Bear was her fingertip slowly sliding from his as they parted, the daze of their kiss keeping her in a state of euphoria.
‘Sweet dreams, Scars,’ Bear’s voice echoed down the corridor, setting up home for the night in her heart, claiming her whole, and she couldn’t explain to herself why she needed his touch so badly.
16
