Sloane squeezed his hand, undone. “And if I just want you? Without knowing why or how long it will last?”
Lust tightened deep in his belly. “Then you’ll have my body. But only if I can have yours.”
He needed to kiss her more than breathe. He swallowed her sigh as his mouth took hers. Her hands reached for him, and he groaned at the contact. He liked seeing that she wanted him as much as he longed for her. There was the need that had flared back at the loft, and now the fire that burned deep at the memory of what they could repeat, experience again, and push further.
This woman went against everything he’d promised himself the moment he’d left the Marines. He’d gladly fought for his country, didn’t regret any of the sacrifices he’d had to make, but once he decided to step away, Luke had gladly turned his back on danger and violence, even if it was wishful thinking. He’d dreamed of coming back, getting his doctorate, and working in the only job he wanted. He wanted love in his life, the white picket-fenced home with a wife he adored, and kids.
This woman, Sloane, was a detour he hadn’t expected. A violent explosion of color blinding him in lust that blurred the lines.
Luke decided that he’d allow himself to cross that line for now, for this mission, and for her. And maybe a little bit for himself. One last reminder of who he’d been before settling, before returning to his chosen path.
Sloane gasped, breaking the kiss. “You stink, professor.”
Laughter shook him and he stood, leaving her on the bed. “Careful. You’re an interesting mix of sweat and sewer yourself.”
Her nose scrunching in disgust, Luke understood the moment she was about to retaliate and sidetracked her by removing his boots and socks before reaching for the top button on his pants.
“Come with me, Sloane. Come have a shower with me and forget about the rest of the world for a moment as we replace pain with pleasure. I dare you to say no. Unless you’re a coward and you want to flee.”
With that last taunt, he didn’t have to look back to know the pink-haired warrior was on his heels, wanting to prove herself again.
Chapter 15
How did he do it? A brief moment ago, she’d confessed a fault that had stained her soul and weakened who she’d hoped to be. The next, he was like a magnet, the heat between them scorching everything that made her hesitate or doubt.
The bathroom had been redone to offer a separate shower and bathtub, and Sloane stopped to admire Luke, his back to her, gloriously naked, adjusting the water temperature before stepping in.
All muscles and sinews that were beckoning her closer. The glass walls of the shower steamed too quickly to indulge any longer.
Inside, Luke played with the manual controls, and activated a second set of jets on the wall behind him and bowed at the sudden sting, the sharp male shout reverberating between her legs.
On the other side of the glass pane, all she could see was the outline of his body, the various shadows of his skin and his movements as he took the soap from the shelf and washed himself.
Curiosity was what made her open the door, wanting to see more of him. There he stood, drops of water like diamonds on his dark beard, an amused smile on his mouth.
Standing there, with the humid heat escaping, Sloane didn’t know what to do. Or more exactly, how to act with him. She’d never denied herself when it came to satisfying her lust. Men, women, if consenting and laced with attraction, she would indulge, sometimes one a night, maybe more if it suited all parties. Once satiated, Sloane returned to the void, to her purpose, to the mission.
As an unwanted child, she’d learned to indulge desire, and apart from the team, it was the only time she’d ever felt wanted, needed. Now, this stranger made everything less obvious, not as clear or sharp.
“You’re letting all the heat out. Either you’re in or you’re out, Sloane.”
Was he talking about the shower, or something more?
Her clothes fell where she stood, and she stepped into the spray, plastering herself against his body.
As she sought a searing kiss, Luke gently pushed her away. “Easy, you’re hurt. We both are. Let me take care of you.”
Strung tight, strangely out of place, she stood under the hot water, waiting. She’d never been this passive with any of her lovers.
Luke turned her around, soaking her hair under the spray before reaching for a small bottle of shampoo in the corner. His fingers ran down her strands before massaging her scalp. The touch was unhurried and soft, yet it was impossible for her to relax into it. Luke didn’t speak and continued to lather her hair until she reached her tipping point and her muscles finally softened.
Inch by inch, Sloane let herself be caressed, rinsed, and washed by Luke, who was always mindful of her bruised flesh. It was like being bewitched. It wasn’t an awful state to be in, just incredibly new.
In the foreign state, and for the first time ever, her mind completely stalled, focused on his touch over her skin.
Her hair clean, he swiveled her once more so they faced each other. How strange to feel loose as a noodle, but with a burning pulse between her legs.
Hyper focused, Sloane saw him take the soap again, and instead of using it directly on her, lathered his hands before cupping her breasts.
All that stroking had sensitized her skin so much that when his thumbs stroked her taut nipples, she lost her breath again. “I don’t think that part of my body is that dirty, professor.”
“Then I need to keep checking.”
Oh, how much she wanted to kiss him, but he had other plans. His dark eyes firmly locked with hers, he lathered his big hands once more and slid them over and up her hips. He touched her stomach, but only lightly and briefly, again mindful of her bruises. Like he’d done in the medical bay, Luke put a knee down, and worked on her legs. His beard scratched, inflaming every inch it touched. Once she was distracted, his busy fingers snaked between her quivering thighs.
Sloane reached for the stall walls, her head feeling incredibly light all of a sudden. Teasing, circling, caressing, the man at her feet didn’t seem to want to rush, but instead, played with the edge of sensations until her breath became erratic, and moans couldn’t stop pouring out of her lips.
“Luke.”
“You’re so sexy when you’re strong, but irresistible when you beg. Let me hear your lovely voice, my warrior.”
And before she could think or react, his tongue licked her folds just as he slid one big finger inside her. The air rushed out of her lungs and she couldn’t tear her gaze from Luke pleasuring her. The intensity in him, his beautiful, muscled body, bruised but glistening, made her want to touch him, but she feared that if she let go of the walls, she’d collapse on the tiles. It was like being bound in place, but without ropes or shackles.
Normally, she craved to take over, to stop this and dive on him, feast on him. She was far from used to being passive. The fast swirl of pleasure cresting inside her made her want to touch him, but Luke must have sensed her shift, and instead of releasing her, dove in for the kill. His mouth sucked on her with a force that verged on pain, as he added another finger inside her. The loud moan surprised even her, but not as much as the intense pressure he exerted against her G-spot. Time and time again, different lovers had tried to push her over that way, but she suspected they weren’t as skilled as the wicked professor. Or was it his tongue flicking her clit with increasing speed that put her body into overdrive?