Surviving Broken(61)

Reed’s gaze wandered from her head to her toes. “I didn’t. Oh hell, you look absolutely beautiful.” He tossed the bouquet of sunflowers over his shoulder and reached her in two strides. Clasping his arms around her waist, he buried his mouth in the hair near her neck. “Is your phone turned off?”

She nodded, draping one arm over his massive shoulders and the other around his neck, taking in his spicy woodsy scent.

“Door locked?” His steamy, ragged breath tickled her ear. “Do we need to put a Do Not Disturb sign on the gate? Cause if we get interrupted again…” He pulled her even tighter to his large frame, threading his fingers through the hair at her nape. Tenderly, he tugged her head back, preparing to take her mouth with his.

Her torso arched upward, fire igniting every place his hard frame touched her body. “What’s the matter, Reed? Patience wearing thin?” She flushed from head to toe with heat.

A hint of a smile danced in his eyes. “Paper fucking thin, darlin’.”

He lowered his mouth to hers, sinking his tongue into her mouth. JC opened, letting him explore the depths of her mouth, her heart, and her soul. The sweet flavor of his breath sent pings of delight surging through her limbs. Unable to contain her enthusiasm, she kissed him back aggressively. She wanted more, searching deeper with her tongue, trying to satisfy her unbearable hunger. Her fingers gripped the collar of his shirt as her lower abdomen clenched uncontrollably, seeking the release she needed so desperately.

In that very instant, she knew she’d give this man whatever he asked for, whatever he wished for, and whatever he desired.

Vaguely aware she’d started to ride up on his hips, she broke the kiss, tearing her lips away from his. Dizzy from weakness, JC turned her head to the side, struggling for air. Reed kissed her temple and nuzzled her neck. The smoothness of his face brought another strike of delight to her lower abdomen.

JC eased back and cupped his jaw in her palms. “You shaved!” She leaned back further to get a good look at him.

“I was wonderin’ when you’d notice.” A quiet chuckle escaped. “You look stunning. I love your dress.”

“Thanks. I considered answering the door buck-ass naked, with the heels of course,”—she blushed crimson red, pointing to her strappy four-inch heels—“but I didn’t want to scare you.” JC attempted to keep a straight face, but couldn’t manage and let out a naughty giggle.

This roused a smile. “I think I can handle it. Should I go back out and knock on the door again?” he mumbled under another scalding kiss.

JC shook her head beneath the pressure of his lips. “Patience is a virtue, remember?” she panted, mocking him with a Texas drawl.

“I’ve already seen you buck-ass naked, and to tell you the truth, I haven’t been able to get the vision out of my head. Every time I close my eyes…” His eyes drifted shut.

“Happy birthday, Reed.” JC nipped at his ear and pressed a long kiss against his cheek.

He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her slower without demand, yet with every stroke of his tongue it felt like he was claiming her as his own. She surrendered to the moment and returned the kisses passionately without reserve, relaxing against his powerful grasp. Heated tension built inside her as the kisses became longer and greedy. Their mouths mingled with faint moans.

The strength and force of his presence made her go weak with desire. Needing to touch his skin, JC slipped her fingers beneath his charcoal gray shirt only to find a white t-shirt. She tugged at the cotton fabric, pulling it from the waistband of his jeans and caressed the contoured dip between his hip and abs.

Reed’s hands roamed up and down her spine, over her shoulders, neck and arms, but stopped short of cupping her breast. He snatched his fingers back every time he got close. JC had never experienced such raw need and feared she might cry if he held back any longer. She wanted his hands on her, his mouth on her. She wanted to do anything, everything with this man. She wanted to drop to her knees and kiss every inch of his gorgeous body.

Reaching blindly for his hand, she placed it right beneath her breast. He groaned with relief, lifting his palm to her breast. As soon as his thumb brushed against her nipple, Reed’s stomach released a thunderous growl. A quiet laughter escaped them both as he dropped his chin to his chest and shook his head. “Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious.”

“Maybe we should try to make it past the front door.” She panted with a soft chuckle laced with embarrassment. “I need to turn the oven off.”

Reed reached down and picked up the sunflowers he’d thrown over his shoulder and followed her to the kitchen. “I can’t believe you’re making me dinner.”