Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

Colby stared into those beautiful blue-green eyes and found himself stuck between a rock and a very hard place. He desperately wanted to say yes, but didn’t want what happened here to simply be a product of gratitude.

He might come across as a laid-back guy on the surface, and for the most part he was, but there were a few things he knew better than to be thoughtless with.

He slowly shook his head. “I’m tempted to say yes, honey, but this isn’t something you should feel obligated to do.”

“I absolutely don’t. You could have brought it up way before now, but you didn’t. I really appreciate that. But I do want you...only if you’re willing.”

“That’s definitely not an issue.” Colby’s body had been telling him to shut the hell up and say yes during this entire conversation.

“Then join me. No obligations—on either side.”

He had a feeling that nothing about meeting Brynn would be that simple, but this wasn’t a moment he could easily say no to and walk away.

He left the door open behind him as he crossed the threshold to let in whatever warmth it could. She held her position for his first few strides, then turned away as if she’d lost her nerve. They were a few feet from the tub when he reached for her arm, pulling her gently back around to face him.

The flickering lights from the candles in the room created a myriad of shadows and valleys on her features, hiding her expression from him. Yet somehow, he could still feel the energy pulsing through her. The desire. The need. Something he desperately wanted to meet.

Whatever this was might not last forever. Might not even last the night. But this moment in time would be a memory they’d both carry forward—against whatever force dared to hold them back.

Colby spread his fingers and eased them into the thick hair at her temples, stroking back through the tresses. Her hair felt silky and thick, gliding over his fingers and palms. Brynn’s features relaxed, her eyelids sliding closed as she melted into the sensation.

Her low moan filled the air, shooting energy straight to Colby’s core. His muscles tightened. His dick hardened. His immediate reaction made him skeptical he could hold out long enough to give her what she needed.

But he’d sure die trying.

He cupped the back of her skull in his hands, then carefully clenched his fingers around her hair, creating a soft pull. Working his way around her head, he released as much tension as he could from her scalp. The blissful expression on her face rewarded him as he massaged down her neck and what he could reach of the tops of her shoulders.

Brynn’s muscles were so tight they felt like she’d carried the weight of the world on her shoulders for most of her life. Considering her history, Colby suspected that she had. Not because it had been expected of her. But because that’s who she was. It had allowed her father to lean on her as she got older, not realizing the toll that would take on her.

But Colby was ready to shoulder the burden with her. Stand by her side so she didn’t have to fight alone—if that was the result of this whole scenario.

With sure strokes, he slid her flannel shirt off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. Skimming back down over the front of her body, he breached the hem of her t-shirt and worked his way back up, pulling the material along with him. Her skin was warm and smooth. That heat built a desire to be skin to skin, multiplying the warmth between them.

She raised her arms so he could pull the shirt off. The front clasp of her bra made it easy to follow. He took a brief moment to trace the highlighted curves of her soft breasts, straight shoulders, and pink nipples. But his building desire wouldn’t let him linger long.

He shucked his own clothes quickly, not wanting her to feel alone in her vulnerability. The escalation of her breath fed his need, making him grateful for the simplicity of her sweatpants. He couldn’t stop himself from sliding his hands under the waistband, then cupping the rounded curves of her ass to pull her against his bare skin. The sound of her gasp shot electricity straight to his groin. He pushed against the fabric, at once grateful and frustrated with the material that kept him from simply taking her where they stood.

Her hands grasped his shoulders for balance. The slight dig of her nails forced a groan from him. He found himself panting, desperate to focus on her before he lost what little control he still possessed.

Step away. He knew he had to, but the pull of her sweet skin was almost impossible to resist. Only the anticipation of steaming water pushed him to break his hold. Quickly he stripped her from her lush hips down to the narrow elegance of her toes.

The heat from the water made him hiss as he sank into it, engulfing his body in warmth that seemed to ratchet up his need instead of relaxing him. He held Brynn’s hand to keep her steady as she too stepped inside.

Instead of propping herself against the opposite side of the big tub like he’d expected, she straddled his body, then sank straight down on top of him. Colby braced his knees against the porcelain for both stability and some modicum of control. The feel of her core against his stomach, so close to his throbbing cock, had him gripping the rim in a strangle-hold.

More than anything, he wanted this time for her. And if he could keep from exploding the minute he was inside of her, by damn he was going to give her what she needed.

She pressed against him with a moan, her lower lips spreading against his wet skin. Sweat broke out across his forehead. The feel of her was incredible.

The sight of her even more so.

Candlelight danced over her curves as she straightened. So strong. So gentle. She rubbed against him again as her hands came up to explore his chest, gliding over his pecs and nipples. Her clit was hard. He imagined it throbbed with the same need he felt.

Holding back was too hard. He leaned forward, nuzzling his face against the inner curve of her breasts. Her back arched, pushing her closer to his face and harder against his body.

Grasping her hips, he urged her into a rhythm as he captured one sweet nipple in his mouth. The primal suction drove him higher but he forced himself to focus on her.

Her body glided up and down against his stomach, just brushing his cock with her backside before pulling away again. He wanted to cry out, but sucked harder instead. Within seconds, she shuddered against him, her long, low moan filling the air.

Instead of a soft surrender, Brynn quickly lifted her hips, guiding his cock directly against that oh so soft spot he needed the most. Her sheathing was quick. This time he did cry out, arching his hips to bury himself as tightly into her heat as he could.

It was the only concession he gave himself.

Luckily, Brynn wasn’t interested in soft and sweet. She rode him hard, bombarding him on all sides with a tight grip, volcanic heat, and jiggling curves. He smothered himself in her breasts, sucking whatever flesh he could reach.

Oh Jesus, help me. Just when he thought he would lose his grip on reality, Brynn screamed. Her body clamped around his—hips, hands, and cock. Colby let himself follow her lead to oblivion.

As the water slowly calmed around them, a sense of reverence and wonder settled over him. As if in this building once built for spiritual enlightenment, Colby had just made a pledge to protect and serve like knights of old. A moment of certain direction in a life lived aimlessly for the last year.

A moment when he knew without a doubt he would protect this woman with all that he had, even against the unknown.