Twisted Palace(43)

When we get back from dinner, Dad and Steve hurry off to the study, where they’re probably going to chain-drink Scotch and drone on about their SEAL days. East and the twins disappear into the game room, which leaves just Ella and me.

Finally.

“Upstairs?” I growl, and I know she doesn’t miss the predatory gleam in my eyes.

Riding the bench tonight sucked ass. Forget the fact that everyone in the stands was talking about me, and that some asshole coughed the word “killer” into his palm when he passed me. Not playing was a thousand times worse. I felt like a useless sack of potatoes, not to mention more than a little jealous as I watched my friends pummel the other team.

All the aggression I didn’t get to expend tonight is rearing up now. Luckily, Ella doesn’t seem to mind. She flashes me that beautiful smile and tugs me toward the staircase.

We practically sprint to her bedroom. I lock the door, then lift her up in my arms and march over to the bed. She squeaks in delight as I fling her onto the mattress.

“Clothes,” I order, licking my lips.

“What about them?” She toys with the bottom of her loose green sweater, all innocence.

“Off,” I growl.

She smiles again, and I swear my heart soars to the sky. I don’t think I could have survived this week if I didn’t have Ella by my side. The murmurs at school, the phone calls from my lawyer, the police investigation that’s still going strong. As much as I hated Brooke, it’s not like I’m jumping for joy that she’s dead. I’m not going to miss her, that’s for sure, but nobody deserves to die like that.

“Reed?” Ella’s humor fades when she sees my face. “What’s wrong?”

I swallow. “Nothing. I was just thinking about stuff I shouldn’t be thinking about.”

“Like what?”

“Nothing,” I say again, and try to distract her by peeling my long-sleeve shirt over my head.

It works. The moment she lays eyes on my bare chest, she makes a breathy little sound that goes right to my dick. I love that she loves my body. I don’t care if that makes me some cocky, superficial jerk. The way her eyes darken with pleasure and her tongue comes out to lick her bottom lip is the biggest ego boost a guy could ever get.

“Your stitches,” she says, as she’s done all week when we’ve fooled around.

“Healing nicely,” I answer, as I’ve done all week when we’ve fooled around. “Now take off your clothes before I do it for you.”

She looks intrigued, as if she’s wondering whether to be difficult just so I’ll follow through on the threat, but I guess she’s as horny as I am, because her clothes start coming off in the next moment.

My entire mouth turns to dust when her pink bra and matching underwear are revealed. Ella has no idea how gorgeous she is. Every girl at Astor Park would die to have those curves, that golden hair, the flawless features. She’s pure and total perfection. And she’s all fucking mine.

Keeping my pants on, I climb onto the bed and press my body against her, my mouth finding hers again. We make out forever. Kissing and groping and rolling around on the bed until finally I can’t take it anymore. Her underwear comes off. My pants are undone. Her hand is on me and my hand is between her legs and it’s so good I can’t think straight.

“Lie back,” she murmurs.

Holy hell, she’s bent over me now, and her mouth is doing things that drive me absolutely crazy.

Her hair falls over my thighs. I thread my fingers through the soft strands, guiding her over me. “Faster,” I whisper.

“Like this?”

“Yeah. Like that.”

Her lips and tongue shove me right over the edge, and even though it’s probably the biggest cliché in the book, once my body settles I pull her up and tell her I love her.

“How much?” She gives me a teasing smile.

“So much,” I say hoarsely. “Like, an insane amount.”

“Good.” She plants a kiss on my lips. “I love you an insane amount, too.”

She lies down beside me, stroking my abs while her lower body slowly rolls against my hip. Damned if that doesn’t get me going again. I might’ve gotten off, but she hasn’t yet. I love being the one to get her there. She makes the hottest noises when she comes apart.

“My turn,” I rasp as I move down her body.

She’s so ready for me it’s not even funny. I get hard again, because the thought of being the first one to slide into her welcoming body is hot enough to melt the entire continent of Antarctica. But I can’t. Not tonight. Not until I know for sure that I’m not going to be locked up for a crime I didn’t commit.