My heart rate kicks up from anticipation as I near the end of the hall. I tap the key against the door, and the lock releases with a soft beep. As I step through the threshold, I brace myself, because what if this is a trap—
I’m pushed up against a wall before I can blink.
Rough hands shove me forward, and suddenly there’s a hard, warm body pressed against mine. It’s reminiscent of the first time I met him at the inn in Hamlett, when I burst into his room uninvited while trying to flee another suitor.
His chin brushes my shoulder as his lips hover at my ear.
“This feels familiar, no?”
That deep, sexy voice.
God, I’ve missed it.
Cross grinds his lower body against my ass, letting me feel every inch of him, and a soft, desperate sound escapes my throat. He chuckles, his breath tickling my neck.
Then he spins me around and my gaze collides with his beautiful face.
Cross Redden is the most striking man I’ve ever seen in my life. His eyes are a vivid shade of deep, dark blue I’ve never seen on another human. His features are flawless, as if chiseled out of stone. His smile is otherworldly. Those perfect lips curve when he sees me, and there it is—the elusive dimple that so rarely makes an appearance.
I blink and I’m in his arms, clinging to him as he holds me tight to his body. I don’t expect the rush of emotions that hits me all at once. I didn’t realize how much I missed this. The feel of his muscular chest, the spicy scent of him, his lips moving along my jaw. The weeks apart melt away.
“Fuck.” Cross buries his face in my hair. “It was so stupid of you to come.”
“You’re here, aren’t you?” I tease.
“Of course I’m here. They didn’t let you come alone, did they?” He doesn’t look pleased with that notion.
“No. Gra—” I quickly catch myself. “Kaine escorted me. He’s handling some business.”
The corners of Cross’s mouth tighten.
“What?” I say.
“Sutler’s here with you?”
“Sort of. He’s off on some super-secret errand. He’ll collect me in two hours.”
“Oh, he’ll collect you, will he?”
His nostrils flare slightly, and I try not to smile.
“You’re jealous,” I accuse, unable to mask my delight.
“Yes.” His gaze rakes over me with a hot intensity that makes my heart race.
“If it helps, he has a girl back at the base.”
“So? Lots of men cheat on their girls.”
I lift a brow. “Would you ever cheat on me?”
“Never.” His voice rings with unwavering certainty. “Don’t you get it?”
“Get what?” I swallow through the sudden thickness of my throat.
“You own me, Dove. My heart, soul, body. It’s all yours. There could never be anybody else. Not in a million fucking lifetimes.”
For one breath-stealing moment, it feels like time stops. The entire world pauses for us. Cross isn’t usually a romantic, but the way he’s looking at me right now…
