Chapter 12
SUNDAY
This is nice. I never appreciated a man’s strength before, and sitting in Razor’s arms by the lake, in the middle of the night is a lot. For the first time, it’s as if I’m protected. Nobody can reach me, and I never want to leave.
I want to bury my face in his muscled chest and those strong arms to wrap around me and keep the world away. There is so much weighing heavily on my mind, but with him I am almost free.
I appreciate his silence. His comforting presence is enough, and I kind of like the way his arm holds me, rubbing circles on my skin, the heat it provides rushing through my body like a lit fuse.
It’s a warm, balmy evening, and the fireflies dance on the moonlit lake, and I wish more than anything I could take a cooling dip.
“Razor.”
My voice is low and he grunts.
“That’s my name.”
I smile. “I’d sure like a dip in the lake. Is it safe to swim in there?”
“Depends on what you mean by safe.”
“As in alligators, snakes, reeds?”
“I can offer no guarantee against that.”
He turns, and his sudden smile catches me on the edge of my heart.
“I can wrestle an alligator if needed and tie a snake in knots. If you’re up for it.”
“I have no doubt that you can do most things.”
He grins.
“Commando or do you mind wet clothes?”
Fuck!
My blood burns a trail through my entire body, and I hitch my breath and whisper, “Commando.”
The sudden burst of lust in his expression matches my own, and as I stand, I shimmy out of my shorts and pull the tank over my head. Leaving me in nothing but my lace panties and bra.
His expression darkens, and he stands, towering over me as he pulls off his shorts. Fuck me, he really is commando under there.
With a wicked gleam in his eye, he reaches out and scoops me into his arms. As we hit the water, I gasp for air because, fuck me, that’s cold.
I’m grateful for his strong arms as he holds me carefully, my head above water, my arms clinging to him like a lifesaving device.
Now we are closer than we have ever been, and it’s a lot.
I never appreciated the sheer size and strength of the man before, but now I’m kind of up close and personal, it’s like David and Goliath.
I doubt he was kidding when he said he could wrestle an alligator.
You could probably add in most of the animal kingdom as well, and I include lions in that.
I’m grateful that he isn’t letting me go and as we tread water, my face is inches from his strong chest and as I catch my breath, I’m conscious of his hands on my bare skin, his chest rising and falling against mine.
It’s not awkward, not even close, and I wonder about that.
“I can let you go if you want to swim.”
The deep rumble of words from his throat is comforting, and I shake my head. “I’m good, thanks.”
As I lift my eyes, I experience the full force of his attention, and it takes my breath away far more effectively than the cool hit of the water.
“You’re a pretty woman, Sunday.”
His compliment takes me by surprise, and my smile is a genuine one as I whisper, “You’re a striking man, Razor. I’m guessing you get told that a lot.”
“No.”
His gaze burns; it’s sexy as fuck, and his hold tightens as I edge closer.
“So–” I breathe a little faster. “Um, I’m kind of new in town and I was wondering how things work around here.”
He says nothing, his eyes gleaming in the shadows, and I hesitate. “I mean, Britney told me the Reapers kind of like, well, the women, and well–”
I falter because what the hell am I attempting to say, and his brow furrows, his expression brooding.
“If you’re asking if you’re expected to follow the other girl’s example and fuck a Reaper, you’re not.”
“Wow, tell it to me straight.”
I’m slightly shocked, and his sudden grin catches me off-guard.
“You’re here for protection, and that includes from us.
The decision is yours and yours alone. If you like someone, nobody will judge you if you want to explore that connection, and nobody will hold you to it.
You’re a free woman here, Sunday. It’s probably one of the few places I know where that means total freedom with no repercussions. ”
“I see.”
I chew on my bottom lip, and his gaze darkens. His hold tightens and I shift even closer.
“What about you, Razor? Do you indulge in your freedom here?”
I wonder where this bravery is coming from, and I’m glad of the darkness because I must be blushing like fury right now.
“Yes.”
Why do I hate that answer?
“Britney?”
I really must change the subject because this one is torturing me.
“No.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not going to pretend I haven’t accepted the offer of a pretty girl in the Reaper bar on many occasions, but I’m not like my brothers. I don’t require a body to cling to every night. On occasion, yes, but not as often as you’re probably thinking.”
His admission makes me happy, and I don’t know why.
His low voice rumbles against my chest.
“You can explore or keep yourself private. It’s your choice, darlin’. It always will be.”
My cheek rests against his chest, my arms tighten, and I wish this moment would never end. Being in a man’s arms isn’t a normal thing for me. I’m not promiscuous; I never was. I had a boyfriend through school, the same one, and the idea of a different guy most nights leaves me cold.
But Razor is different. I have never met a man like him in my entire life, and he fascinates me.
“Baby.”
His endearment brings tears to my eyes for some reason.
“You are safe here. I can’t stress that enough.”
“Thank you.”
I search his expression and find nothing, merely interest, and I surprise myself by reaching up and touching his face, hesitantly, almost apologetically, and his gaze burns as I whisper, “Can I kiss you, Razor? I mean, I don’t want to come across as well—”
His sudden smile catches me off-guard, and he nods slowly, “Darlin’, I thought you’d never ask.”
He pulls me a little closer, higher, and as if in slow motion our lips come together, the sensation a little overwhelming as I kiss a man like him. He’s not the boy from school, not even close. He is one thousand percent man, and it’s a different kind of experience.
His kiss is hard, yet soft where it matters. Dominating, possessive, so hot it leaves scorch marks on my soul.
I run my fingers through his hair, loving the wild part of him, aching to press my lips to his muscles, to experience his lips all over my body. I am delirious with need for this man; I can’t explain it. It’s a primal urge that is screaming inside me.
The kiss deepens, his tongue twists in mine, his grip tight but gentle, his muscles flexing as he holds me against him.
I am delirious with my desire for this man. He fills every thought in my head right now. I can only see him, and I’m desperate for more.
I never want this kiss to end.