Page 40 of Hollow Trace

He kissed her, dragging it out before dipping his shoulder and rolling. Scooting backwards, he rested his torso against the headboard, her thighs bracketing his, her body trapped between his chest and knees. “Ride me.”

Scout placed her arms on his shoulders, wiggling her ass across his erection. “And here I thought you’d want something wilder.”

Quinn held her thighs, inhaling as she eased up, centered him beneath her, then slowly sank down, once again engulfing him in all her warm, wet heat. “I thought about pounding into you from behind with you plastered against the headboard.”

“You know I’m down for that, right?”

“Next time. I just…”

How the hell did he say he needed to look into her eyes? See her love shining back?

Scout leaned in, breath catching when he pushed up from beneath, sinking even deeper. “I’m not a wish. Or a dream.”

Quinn stilled, all his love pouring out. “But you are. You’re the one that came true.”

Her breath hitched, her mouth claiming his as she lifted then slid back down, pausing only for a moment before making another pass. Faster. Harder. Using his shoulders as leverage.

Quinn gripped her thighs, helping her move, thrusting up into her. Their heavy breathing filled the air, a mix of sex and floral soap surrounding the bed like a shroud. Sweat beaded her skin, but she kept moving until her head tipped back, all the muscles in her neck cording.

Eyes squeezed shut and breath held, she arched against his chest. “God, Quinn.”

His control splintered. Not that he’d really had any left, but hearing her raspy plea, seeing her on the edge of another orgasm, wrecked him. Had him pushing up into her, as he fisted her hair, dragged her mouth to his in a punishing clash of lips and tongues.

Her body quivered, her frantic breath mixing with his as she crested — fell off that cliff.

Quinn paused just long enough to watch her, take in the flush of her skin, how his name left her lips like a prayer before he joined her. The room dimmed, every ounce of strength drained out of him as Scout buried her head in his shoulder, trusting him to keep her safe as she gave herself completely over to the orgasm.

His arms shook as he wrapped them around her, one hand speared through her hair, the other palming the small of her back. Holding her close as he rocked a bit, he enjoyed the way she burrowed into him.

The room drifted back to reality, a sound at a time — the ticking clock, the dripping water, his pounding heart nearly bursting in his chest.

It took another five minutes before he could move — shift Scout onto her side as he slipped out then quickly cleaned himself off. He brought back a cloth, erasing the sticky remains of their lovemaking before helping her into that t-shirt. He ditched the cloth then climbed into bed, tucking them both beneath the covers.

Scout curled into him, her head on his chest, one leg draped over his. She managed a quick kiss, mumbling how much she loved him before she passed out.

Quinn listened to her sleep, each twitch a reminder of how badly she probably needed this.

He mulled over the thought, aware she wouldn’t truly rest until they’d neutralized the threat — brought down Finch. If that meant he had to operate outside the law, so be it. Hell, he’d cross every line if it meant keeping her safe. Getting Brea back.

They’d find Hackett, and Quinn would ensure the bastard learned the cost of harming the people Quinn loved.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“Scout.”

Scout jerked awake, the man’s voice startling her from a deep sleep, the heat from Quinn’s body still clouding her thoughts. She recognized Gideon’s voice a second before Quinn had them both upright, Sig in his hand, muzzle pointed at the couple standing beside the bed.

His chest heaved, breath panting before he cursed, lowering his weapon. “Damn it, Gideon, you scared the shit out of me.” Quinn tugged at the covers, glancing over at her, then back to them. “What happened to knocking?”

Zadie laughed. “We did. Several times, but you two sleep like the dead.”

“Maybe because we were up for forty-eight hours straight.” Quinn scrubbed a hand down his face. “What time is it?”

“Seven. Sun’s not quite up.”

“I assume this means you’ve got news?”

“We just cracked the encryption. Thought you’d want to be there as we go through all the files.”