Queenie lifted her head, bleary-eyed. Her mouth twitched. “Well, I should get going.”
“You sure?”
She nodded. “We’re searching the parks today. Just in case, you know.”
I pulled her into a hug. “Keep a positive attitude. No sense driving yourself crazy until he’s found.”
“I’m trying,” she whimpered. “Thanks for listening.”
“Of course.”
We exchanged goodbyes, and she headed out the door. I’d decided before I’d slid the deadbolt. I didn’t like asking Vinn for favors, but I’d put my pride aside for Queenie.
Vinn was working out in the gym. He’d changed into shorts and a tank top. He stood in front of a wall-to-wall mirror, lifting an Olympic barbell. His features were so perfect and symmetrical that any more would’ve made him too beautiful for a man. Dark hair stuck to his handsome, square face. He jerked it to his shoulders and swung down, releasing the bar. He picked it off the ground and repeated the exercise.
The plates banged into the rubber mat.
Vinn cupped his shoulder and let out a raw hiss, massaging the muscle surrounding the gunshot wound from a year ago.
My feet smacked the floor as I rushed toward him. “You okay?”
Vinn gave me a narrowed glance. “I’m fine.”
His frosty tone should’ve sent me running. Something disturbing had replaced his smolder, and it cautioned me to stay away, but I hated leaving him alone.
I approached, lungs filling with the scent of iron and his heady musk. “I didn’t realize it still hurt you.”
“It doesn’t.”
Like hell.
Sweat glistened on his forehead. His nostrils flared as a timer beeped from his phone. He closed it and wiped his rippling brow.
“You don’t have to pretend. You can be vulnerable with me.” I joined him on the bench, fidgeting with my shirt. “I’m always here to listen.”
“Not the talkative type.”
He patted my knee and lurched upright, then snapped the safety clips off the barbell. He eased the Olympic plates while lifting the bar. His bicep trembled, and a bang erupted through the room as it landed.
“Fuck.”
I stood. “I’ll get ice.”
“Don’t bother.” Vinn sighed, dropping onto the mat. “Fuck.”
“Would a massage help?”
He stared into the mirror, silent. His arm fell in his lap as he rested against exercise equipment, his eyes shut.
I rolled my hand over his shoulder. He tensed but didn’t throw me off. I slowly dug in. Vinn released a ragged hiss.
I paused, my heart pounding.
“Don’t stop,” he whispered. “Harder.”
I did my best to work out the rock-hard knot, but it was like massaging stone. I sank into him. His mouth twisted, beads of sweat rolling down his neck.
“Am I hurting you?”
“No, it’s good.” Vinn leaned into me, sighing. “I used to have a physical therapist do this, but I got sick of a dude touching me every week.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I took a deep breath and held it in. “So when you declared yourself healed six months after the shooting, that was total bullshit?”
“I keep everyone in the dark and oblivious.”
“Why?”
“I see no point in letting people in.”
“You should’ve texted me,” I growled. “I could’ve helped you.”
Vinn’s broad face split with a smile that tickled my cheeks. “Hey, Li. Want to come to my place? I could use a back rub. Your brother would’ve loved that.”
“Like I’d tell him.”
He made a deep sound. “Tempting, but I’m nobody’s dirty secret, and neither are you.”
“I would’ve done anything for you.”
My insides clenched at the blunder. I was doing it again. Pouring out my feelings would get me hurt. I throttled the current zipping through me.
Vinn’s gaze riveted on my face. My skin tingled as he searched my eyes. He turned, hand cupping my cheek. Warmth bloomed inside me, betraying my resolve. My attraction to Vinn had nothing to do with logic. It screamed for me to take the leap.
Our lips touched.
He melted into me with gentle strokes. I slackened as he lulled me into a trance. Ecstasy swirled in my body. He traced my lip with a swipe of his tongue, and a hot ache grew in my throat. His nails grazed my head.
I was a furnace. He’d captured me at a young age with his magnetic presence, but this dreamy intimacy had signed my heart over forever. His light touch blossomed with sharp aches in my skin.
I pressed my open lips to his, but he didn’t crush me. He held me hostage with his slow, drugging kisses. I drifted on clouds. His uneven breathing caressed my neck as he broke away, dragging me to the rubber floor.
Vinn’s heavy palm weighted my head.
My knees buckled.
I faced his groin. Not in any hurry, Vinn thumbed his shorts and pushed, grabbing his cock from a bed of trimmed hair. It swelled, the head shining with a bead of precum. He held it to my mouth. I licked my lips, stroking Vinn in the process.
“I can’t stop thinking about the other night.” Vinn’s heartbeat pulsed through the taut skin as he stared down. “I hate every man who touched you. Hate. Them. Especially the guy whose cock you sucked on demand.”
A sensual quality quivered through Vinn’s voice that made me slowly spread my legs. “And?”
“It should’ve been me.”
He fisted my hair. His head nudged my lips, and my mouth parted. He worked in his thumb, hooking it on my cheek. His cock slid inside, filling me with a rock hardness I barely breathed around.
I choked.
He groaned as he buried himself, and my body clenched as though he’d satisfied the ache between my legs. His hold on my hair slackened. His fingers trailed my jaw. Everything was more sensitive. His light touch hurt. The pain lingered like a smoldering kiss. He fucked me, his eyes glazed as he chased his pleasure. He rolled his hips with quick, abrupt jerks, his grip hardening.
His need stirred me like a finger teasing my clit. The hot, iron-like pressure thrust mercilessly as he gripped my head, making a mess of my hair. He sped up. He released a long, tortured groan, pushing himself deeper, holding me still.
I leaned into him, meeting his thrusts. Saliva dribbled onto my chin as he pounded faster, hissing. He slammed home and made a desperate sound, and thick, salty warmth filled my mouth. Vinn’s cock jumped in my throat.
“Swallow,” he ordered.
I flicked my tongue along his shaft, relishing in his possession.
“Swallow, or I’m not taking it out.”
I swallowed, a thrill touching my nipples when his cum slid down.
“Open and show me.”
I obeyed, heart pounding.
“Good girl,” he said, his tone soothing. “Now I want you on your back. Legs spread wide.”
I flattened on the rubber mat as Vinn ripped off my pants. He removed my panties and settled between my thighs. He fisted the necklace as he smashed his mouth into mine. It was a brutal, possessive kiss. His tongue swiped in and claimed me as his blunt head fitted to my pussy.
I writhed.
He shoved inside, stretching my walls. He gave no time to adjust. He slipped out and rammed in, trailing kisses over my body. Muscles within me contracted. I raked his back and sank my nails into his steel ass.