So much more.
It was safe to say she’d thrown that monkey off her back. She was practically a sexpert now! She could return to Chicago a changed woman, ready to date—or, maybe not that just yet. She needed a job first. And maybe somewhere to live. But those things seemed more attainable than they had four days ago. Mentally, she had shifted to a better place.
Yet she loved where she was now. Time was suspended here where the real world couldn’t touch it. A momentary panic gripped her, an unwanted acknowledgment that this would end soon.
There was only one possible reason for this dread building inside her: she was falling for this good and decent guy who had fought dragons for her.
She moved her hand over his chest, feeling the rugged contours of his body, imprinting them on her memory. But it was more than just his muscles she wanted to remember.
In her mind, she set aside space for their conversations, how well he listened, how angry he got on her behalf. His funny hat and the way he rubbed the bridge of his nose when he was stressed. His sense of humor and cheeky charm.
Her favorite Bast muscle was the one inside his chest, but as she couldn’t reach inside and hold it close, she went for the next best one. Her hand coasted south and gripped his hardening cock, enjoying the pulse of it in her hand, the power beneath her fingertips. That throaty moan he released as he rocked into her clasp.
Continuing her stroke, she kept her eyes on his handsome face. Those lovely lashes fluttered, then peeled open to reveal all that perfect blue. His smile on seeing her, that gorgeous, wonderful curve of joy made her so happy.
She stored it away with the rest.
“You’ve been busy,” he said, his lips stretching wider.
“The early bird catches the worm.”
“What a terrible thing to say about my cock.”
She giggled and stroked harder, loving how he responded. The flush of his cheeks, the dilation of his pupils, the drag of teeth along his lower lip.
All filed away.
“Should I apologize?” she asked.
“Yep. Tell him he’s nothing like a worm.”
Moving down under the covers, she applied a kiss to the swollen head. “You’re beautiful.” Then a lick, which got a satisfying gasp. “Absolutely perfect.” Followed up by a lusty suck that drew his moan.
“Sweetheart, that’s—oh, fuck, that’s so good.”
“I’ve wanted to do this since our first night here. I asked to taste you, remember?”
“I-I do.”
She swirled her tongue around the head until a splash of salty liquid emerged.
“But you wanted to kiss me instead. Maybe you didn’t think I’d be any good.”
“Never crossed my mind.”
She smiled. “Tell me how to do it. What feels good.”
“Pepper, what you’re doing—ah, yeah. That. Christ, I must have been dreaming about you before I woke up. Primed for that gorgeous mouth.” His hips rocked, pushing him deeper between her lips. Faster, with more urgency.
“Gonna come, sweetheart. You might want—”
She sucked harder, needing this, needing him to lose control, and when he did, it felt like the sweetest victory.
Looking up, she saw him gazing at her with such affection it made her want to cry. Jesus, Pepper, get it together. No need to turn to mush because a decent guy was kind to you.
“What?” he murmured.
“Nothing.”
He pulled her into his arms. “You look sad.”
“No, not at all. In fact, I’m really happy.”
Because it happened. This wonderful thing happened.
“We probably should talk.”
Here it comes, Bast’s final benediction.
The thaw is upon us and so is the end of our little sojourn here. It’s been great. You’ve been great. And I hope you can leave this place, knowing you’re not an utter failure at sex and that I’ve also forgiven your sins against me. Go in peace to wreak havoc on the world.
He opened his mouth …
… just as someone opened the door.
They looked up. Reid stood at the bedroom’s entrance, his brow creased in confusion.
“Bast …” He switched his dark gaze from his brother to her, then back. Before he could say another word, a big bundle of fur and energy rushed by and jumped on the bed.
“Hey, Bucky!” Sitting up, Bast threw his arms around the black and white mutt. He shot a wry glance at his brother who was still frozen in the doorway.
Bast broke the stony silence. “How about we get dressed and I meet you out in the kitchen?”
“Sure,” Reid said. “Come on, Buck.”
The dog returned to his owner and Reid closed the door behind them.
Pepper clutched defensively at the comforter. “He didn’t look very happy.”
“That’s standard Reid.” Bast threw back the covers and grabbed his sweats.
“No, seriously, he looked pissed. He’s going to wonder why you did this.”
Bast looked confused. He waved between them. “This? Is it that much of a mystery?” Before she could answer, he added, “Don’t sweat it. Come on out when you’re ready.”
Once he was gone, she slipped on a hoodie and her jeans. Her civilian clothes, a step back to reality. Chunky wool socks were the finishing touch.
In the kitchen, she found Kennedy making coffee while Reid and Bast eyed each other like they were figuring out how to create a ten-paces-at-dawn situation in the room’s cozy confines.
Bast turned and his expression changed when he saw her. Softened. Then he closed the gap between them, cupped her jaw, and kissed her.
She was far too self-conscious to kiss him back, but she did whimper a little. Pulling away, she caught Kennedy’s knowing smirk.
“What are you doing?” Pepper muttered in her lowest voice to Bast.
“What does it look like?”
She peered up at him, trying to figure it out. It seemed like a blatant middle finger to his brother, who was obviously still annoyed. Was this some power play? Bast had already admitted that there was tension between them.
Reid was likely pissed at her because she’d set Bast’s recovery back.
Or maybe he loved his brother so much he couldn’t bear to see him hurt by a troublemaker like Pepper. She understood that instinct to protect. She’d lived it with Kent as she tried to cover up his bad behavior, the kind that was hurting him.
“Pepper!” Kennedy elbowed Bast out of the way and hugged her like they were old friends. “Sorry to barge in on you like this. Would you believe Reid made us leave Chicago at 4:30 this morning? He was worried when Bast only responded with one-word texts.” She shot a you-should’ve-known-this-would-happen look at Bast.
“So he thought we’d better come up and check on him. Not that you’re anything to worry about, right? Of course not.” She answered her own question, but the undertone lingered like a bad smell. You’re not going to hurt my brother-in-law any more than you already have, are you?
“I don’t think so. But I’m probably biased.”
Kennedy smiled serenely. “So how are you finding the place?”
“It’s beautiful. A perfect escape.”
“Yeah, that’s what we love about it, too.” She touched her husband’s arm, a soothing motion. “But tough in winter. Reid sort of panicked when he saw you guys were snowed in, so he talked to Mr. Gunderson next door and borrowed the snowblower. Sorry if we woke you.”