Grinding (Portland Icehawks #6)

13. Afterburners

Chapter Thirteen

AFTERBURNERS

~~Camden~~

There’s an old saying, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Right now, the heat level in this particular kitchen is in the danger zone, and I don’t have the common sense to leave, which was my plan when I finished my beer.

But Inez…

I don’t want to go. At this moment in time, I’d give up my career for a night with her. I’m not sure how I’d feel about that in the morning, though.

Her brown eyes soften, and her luscious lips part. I suck in a breath and admit defeat. I’m a goner. I’ll do whatever she wants. Her eyes burn with the same lust currently raging through my veins, and I’m here for her. Fuck the consequences. I can worry about them tomorrow.

As if drawn by an invisible thread, we step toward each other until our bodies are a few inches apart. Our eyes meet, and my ability to resist melts into a pile of discarded warnings at our feet.

Inez surprises me and makes the first move. She wraps her arms around my neck and presses her body against mine. She’s tall but slender, and she fits me well. I rest my hands on her hips. My body burns like a forest fire during a drought. Every nerve ending is hyperaware, and my libido is in overdrive.

I can’t recall ever being this aroused by a woman I haven’t even kissed yet. It’s time to rectify that.

I bend my head, and her lips quiver. It’s her silent invitation, and I understand the mission. Our mouths meet, and my world explodes. There are literally fireworks going off in my head, which I used to think was just romantic bullshit people made up. I can now attest to it being a real thing.

Her mouth is soft and pliable and welcoming. I respond enthusiastically, tasting and sampling every inch of those incredible lips of hers. She takes the initiative once again and coaxes my mouth open. Our tongues dance together, enacting a version of what we’d like to do with other parts of our bodies.

I’m lost in a whirlwind of sensations I’ve never felt before. My world is spinning while my body happily hums along to its one song.

I want more, and I take the lead this time. I deepen the kiss and push her gently against the counter, never breaking the lock between our lips.

I’m lost in Inez. Completely. Absolutely. Undeniably. Fucking. Lost.

And I don’t care. I never want to be found again if being lost feels this damn good.

I’m floating on a cloud of joy, and I’m not getting off. I want this woman more than hockey. An annoying, nagging voice whispers in my ear, you might be giving up your career if you take this much further . I bitch-slap that bastard and shove him in a box, never to be heard from again, at least not tonight.

I want to kiss this woman forever and never stop. I slide my hand under her sweater and up her bare back. She shivers, and I smirk with satisfaction. I’m getting to her as much as she’s getting to me. I knew I was, but it’s nice to have confirmation.

In response, Inez presses harder against me, rubbing up and down my erection until I’m in exquisite pain. My groans are those of a wild animal begging for release.

I drag my mouth off hers, needing a moment to rein in the insanity, but her hands are all over my body. Her mouth, abandoned by mine, nibbles on my earlobe, my neck, my shoulder. I groan and close my eyes as the sensations overwhelm me and drown me in a sea of glorious lust. I free her luxurious hair from that restrictive bun. It falls all soft and loose around her shoulders. Without the bun, she’s more vulnerable, sexier, more everything.

“Inez.” I press my mouth against her neck and pant. “I fucking need you naked.”

“I need you naked,” she gasps.

“This. Is. Stupid. Isn’t it?” I force each word out. It’s painful to speak the obvious because I risk her coming back to her senses and stopping us before we get started.

“Yes. Very, very stupid. But I don’t care, do you?”

“Not one fuck do I care.” I snort before burying my face in her silky hair.

“Then I guess we’re in this until the end.”

“Sleeping with you has been inevitable since I first laid eyes on you.”

“Same here,” she says. Her answer surprises me, though it shouldn’t.

“Really?”

“Really,” she assures me, then playfully nips at my neck. I let out an exaggerated yelp.

“What’s the matter? Don’t you like it rough?” She’s challenging me, but I’m up to the challenge.

“I like it any way you wanna give it.”

“Then we’re on the same page.”

I lift her into my arms and carry her into the bedroom. She offers no protest. I lay her down on the bed and strip off my shirt.

Inez’s slow smile is predatory as she studies my bare chest.

“You like?” I puff up my chest like a proud peacock.

“I fucking love. There’s one problem.”

“And that is?” Her gaze is glued to my chest. She definitely likes what she sees.

“You have too many clothes on.”

“Then do something about it.” She lifts her head, and her smirk is a silent challenge.

I chuckle. Inez is bold and fun. Fucking her is going to be the carnival ride of all carnival rides, and nobody loves a good ride as much as I do.

“Come here,” I order, asserting my desire to be in charge.

She smirks, and for a moment I think she’s going to refuse. But she stands and presses against me.

“I’m here. Now what?” She raises her hands in the air as I pull off her Icehawks T-shirt.

“Fuck.” I suck my breath between my teeth as I gaze at her black lace bra. I muse as to whether or not she wears bras like this every day or if she’s been hoping we’d get naked together.

Inez reaches behind her back and unhooks her bra. Her sultry expression turns my knees to mush, and I’m lost, and she’s the only one who can find me.

Abruptly her expression shifts to one of alarm, and she freezes.

My muddled brain takes a few seconds to get with the program. Someone is ringing the doorbell incessantly and pounding on the door.

“Inez! Let us in. Now.”

“It’s girls’ wine night in, Inez. Open this door.”

Her eyes grow big. “That’s Everly and Michella.”

“What are they doing here so late?”

“We used to do these impromptu wine nights in the early hours of the morning. We haven’t done one in ages. I guess they figure it’s time.” She scrambles to put her shirt back on, and I’m doing the same.

“What are we going to do? They can’t find me here.” I glance around for an escape route. We’re on the second floor. There’s no way out unless I climb over the deck and shimmy down the support post. I’m not on board with that option.

“I’ll distract them. Be ready and sneak out the front door.”

“But how can they not notice me?”

“Do you have a better idea?” she challenges me.

“No. I’ll be ready.” I’m not overly encouraged by her lack of a plan, but I’m out of options.

Inez hurries to the bedroom door, halts, and whips back around. She runs to me, gives me a big kiss, and is gone faster than I recover from the heaven of her lips on mine.

I hear her open the door. Giggling and outright laughter follows. I press my ear against the door, feeling like a peeper or something.

“I was just heading to the laundry room to grab my clean clothes. They should be out of the dryer any minute now. Come with me. We can drink wine while my clothes are finishing up.”

Everly and Michella agree. After a flurry of noise, which I assume is them pouring wine into glasses, the door opens and shuts. I listen, but it’s deathly quiet out there. I open the door a slit. I don’t see anyone. Making sure I have my wallet and phone, as I didn’t drive myself here, I hurry out the door and down the apartment stairs. I jog across the parking lot when the voices reach my ears. I turn on the afterburners and sprint out of sight, hoping they didn’t see me.

I don’t stop until I’m a few blocks away, then I slump on a bench and call for a ride. My heart slams in my chest, and my head pounds. We came so close to being caught.

And so close to doing something else…