Shadow of Sin(10)

She felt him long before he actually touched her. The heat of his hand burned as it hovered above her skin, as if he, too, was steeling himself. She heard his intake of breath a moment before his fingers danced over her back.

“I did the best I could to wash the dirt off.” Feather light, his gentle touch rocked her. Moisture dampened her panties as her body readied itself for more than first aid.

“Easy. Just relax,” Caleb soothed. “You’ve got a few abrasions, probably from the underside of the truck. Nothing too severe.” He moistened a towel and began to blot it against her back. He worked quickly and efficiently, re-cleaning her scrapes and rubbing antiseptic ointment over them. “Turn around.”

“I don’t —”

“Turn around.”

She huffed, but obeyed. The minute she faced him, he brushed aside the fabric of her shirt, holding it between his fingers as he wrapped his hand around her bared waist.

Caleb slipped to his knees before her. Samantha tipped her head toward the ceiling and prayed he’d be quick. His breath was warm and enticing against her stomach as his fingers prodded at her side.

“I don’t see any glass. It looks like a clean cut, but I don’t want to take any chances since we aren’t sure what cut you. You won’t need stitches.”

“But, the blood.”

He gave her a droll stare. “It wasn’t that much. Probably just seemed like it at the time.”

“Okay,” was all she could manage. She didn’t want to talk about blood and whether she’d need stitches. Her fingers itched to dive into his hair and pull him close. She was wet, her body primed for sex—for release—and the sight of Caleb on his knees threw her into sensory overload.

If he so much as looked at her again, she’d come for sure. Thank God he was completely focused on his task, gently cleaning the cut, and oblivious to her rampaging hormones.

“This might hurt a little.” His brow creased as if the thought upset him.

He tipped a bottle of peroxide over her side, allowing the liquid to drizzle over her wound.

She hissed as the liquid made contact, the muscles in her stomach flexing in response to the blossoming pain.

She clenched her teeth as Caleb poured and dabbed, poured and dabbed. By the time he’d placed the bandage, Samantha was ready for another drink.

Caleb looked as if he could use one himself. His cheeks were flushed and perspiration clung to his forehead.

He cleared his throat and straightened to his full height. “All done.”

A strange flutter went through her chest and she was suddenly unsure of how to handle his newfound kindness. He’d been bossy, sure, but his touch had been gentle, caring. As if she were important.

And thoughts like that would only get her into trouble. Caleb saw her as a duty. Nothing more.

“Thank you. I’m sorry Alec called you, but I’m grateful you were there.”

“You shouldn’t have been there at all.”

Annnnnd he’s back. She rolled her eyes and stepped around him, needing to put some distance between them. “You sound like a broken record. I’m not a saint, Caleb. I’ll not live like one.”

“Someone took a shot at you tonight!” His voice reverberated through the room. “If you don’t give a shit about your life, then at least think about Amanda and what it would do to her if anything happened to you. You’re like a sister to her. She loves you.”

His anger gave her the reality check she needed. How dare he use Amanda against her.

“So, you’re saying I should give up my life? Sit at home every night and twiddle my thumbs? Masturbate until I’m blind? Is that what you’re saying?”

“I’m saying you need to be more careful about who you fuck around with.”

“Are you volunteering?” Samantha threw the question he’d posed to her all those months ago—the night she’d bought the vibrator—back in his face.

Without warning, he grabbed her arms and jerked her against him.

“Make no mistake about it. If I were to take you, it wouldn’t be a quick fuck.” He crowded her back against the door and shoved his knee between her legs. His hands clenched her arms, holding her still.

She struggled against him, her chest heaving, as he leaned his weight against her, making it clear who held the reins. “I like to take my time, Samantha. There are so many fascinating places to explore on a woman’s body. So many tempting noises to tease from a mouth gone swollen from my kisses.”

He put his mouth close to her ear. “If I take you, you’ll be mine to do with as I please. You’ll be wet.” He ground his hips against her stomach. “And you’ll beg.”