Page 38 of Hollow Trace

Scout melted into him, head resting beneath his shoulder, hands palming his back. Each soft breath tickled his skin as he placed his chin on her head, put this moment into memory. He’d been serious. She’d saved him the other night, and not just his life.

She’d saved his soul.

Scout hummed against his pecs, dropping a kiss on his chest before easing back, staring up at him, eyes bright, a sexy smile curving her lips. She grabbed some soap and lathered his skin, each swirl of her hands reigniting the need pooling in his groin. He didn’t move, admiring the way she snagged her bottom lip, her breathing already increasing.

He loved that about her.

That his pleasure spurred hers.

She took her time, massaging his muscles a bit, the water splashing around them. “You’re larger than before, and that’s saying something. How many hours have you been putting in the gym?”

He shrugged. “As many as I could when I wasn’t working. The harder I pushed, the more exhausted I was, and the easier it was to catch a couple hours each night.”

She paused, soap suds bubbling up from beneath her hand, before she continued. “Sleeping’s the hardest. Can’t shove it all down when you’re not in control.”

“This Finch asshole been keeping you awake?”

“Not Finch. Missing you. I’ve just been lying here, wishing… berating myself for not having the strength to seek you out.”

He placed his hand over hers. “I’m sure the general didn’t make it easy.”

“Nothing worth fighting for is ever easy. I know that now. And I won’t let you down again.”

“You didn’t let me down.” He sighed then laughed. “I’ll make you a deal. You cut yourself some slack for being put in an impossible situation, and I won’t dwell on all the stupid things I’ve done in your absence.”

She snorted. “In other words, make peace with the past, and move forward.”

“Let’s not go completely crazy. We both know neither of us is making peace with anything. At least, not until Brea’s back, and I’ve had a chat with Gus, but I’m up for moving forward.”

She stared up at him for a few moments, then smiled. “Deal.” She gave herself a quick rinse, before placing the soap on the ledge. “Now, I believe I warned you about what would happen when I’m on my knees.”

He hooked her elbow. “I might only have one more round in me before I’ll need a bit of a rest.”

“Then, I guess I’ll get your chest as a pillow before you wake me up and ravage me once you’ve recovered.” She grazed his ribs, slowly went to her knees. “Be a good sport, and take your punishment.”

Quinn shifted, shielding most of the spray as he gathered her hair, holding it back from her face. Scout gazed up at him through thick lashes, most of the blue hidden behind her lust-blown pupils. She trailed her fingertips down his torso, tracing the ridge of muscle by his hip before landing on his thighs.

She tilted her head, sizing him up as she leaned forward and blew a heated breath across the tip. His damn dick spiked up toward his belly, staying there for a moment before she encircled him with her hand, bringing him level with her mouth. After a smile, she smoothed her lips over the head, slowly sinking down his length.

Dead.

That’s what he’d be in exactly sixty seconds. Between the heat and the pressure of her mouth and watching her work him…

He tightened his grip on her hair without meaning to, tugging at the strands out of sheer need. Scout paused with him nudging her throat, eyelids fluttering as if she was just as far gone, just as overwhelmed.

Quinn panted through clenched teeth, wondering how he was already so fucking desperate when they’d just finished. Just had his mind blown. Yet, there he was, standing beneath the spray, Scout on her knees, a minute into her seduction, and he wasn’t sure he’d last another. Make it long enough to even ask her if she wanted a different ending. If, maybe, she didn’t want to wait for him to recover.

Though, based on the fire raging beneath his skin, she could get him primed, again, from nothing more than a touch. His name whispered on a ragged plea.

Scout bobbed down, stealing his next breath, daring him to deny her hold over him. That she could get him off in record time. That hair trigger he’d teased her about. Not that she seemed concerned with how quickly she’d make him cave, teasing him with a few passes before sliding off, licking and nibbling until he pulled her hair, again.

She arched a brow, shifting back on her heels. “Something on your mind, babe?”

Damn, she was gorgeous. Soft curves atop strong muscle. The way her dark hair set off her blue eyes. But her beauty wasn’t just on the outside. Her honor. Her determination. She was gorgeous in every way, and he’d spend the rest of his life showing her how lucky he was that she hadn’t left him standing behind his truck.

He thumbed her cheek. “You’re a damn tease.”

“Am, I? Didn’t seem that way when our roles were reversed.”