Chapter Ten
Alice
T he sound of birds chirping stirs me from my peaceful slumber. My eyes flutter open to find the morning sun streaming through the cracks of the blinds.
It doesn’t take long before I realize the warmth I had enveloping me all night is no longer there.
Memories float to the surface, bringing forth the haunting nightmare that I know deep down was my reality. More than that, is the phantom feel of Braxten’s strong arms as he held me through it all.
Arms that I got to sleep in for the entire night.
The way his calloused fingers dried my tears and his hushed words eased my fears, is something I will never forget. It’s by far the best memory I have since waking up in that hospital, and despite the danger that still lurks, it fills me with a sense of hope for the coming day.
Throwing the covers off, I climb from bed, noticing the stiffness in my body is almost nonexistent now. The cool hardwood floor blasts the pads of my feet as I tiptoe to the bathroom for a shower. I’m so lost in my euphoria that I don’t realize it’s already in use. Not until I open the door.
I come to a jarring stop, the air leaving my lungs on a gasp at the sight I’m met with.
A thin layer of steam blankets the room, fogging up the clear glass, but it does little to shield the powerful, naked man before me.
Braxten stands beneath the hot spray, the water rushing down his hard body captivating me where I stand.
Unable to help myself, my eyes drift lower, exploring all that warm skin and lean muscle.
It’s then I see he has a large tattoo. A black and red dragon covers one side of his body, from his ribs down to his hip before disappearing behind him.
The beast is a work of art, exuding the same power as the man himself.
It’s beautiful and riveting, but not as much as what he’s doing to himself in this moment.
With one hand braced on the wall, Braxten strokes himself, his shaft long and hard as he pumps from base to tip.
Oh—My—God.
Heat explodes through my body like a wildfire, spreading from the tips of my fingers to my toes, singeing me from the inside out. My nipples pebble beneath the thin silk of my nightgown, a foreign ache starting between my legs. I’m as horrified with myself as I am turned on.
I should walk away right now. Turn around and quietly close the door to give him the privacy he deserves, but I can’t find it in myself to do it. I’m fascinated by the erotic sight. It’s the most intimate and beautiful act I’ve ever seen.
“Alice.” My name shreds his throat on a groan, yanking my gaze up to his face. “That’s it, baby. Suck my cock.”
Every part of me stills, including my breath. It becomes trapped in my lungs, passing back and forth in a fiery frenzy as I realize he’s thinking of me in this very private moment.
It has me wishing that I was brave enough to strip down, open that shower door, and walk in there to make his fantasy a reality. Just the thought has the throbbing between my legs almost unbearable.
It splinters in a heart stopping second when he turns his head, his eyes meeting mine. Horror grips my chest as time comes to a stand still. I wait for anger to enter his gaze, maybe even disgust, but it never comes. It’s as if he’s known I’ve been here the entire time.
The thought only mortifies me more, but not enough to walk out. I’m riveted by the heat in his gaze, a silent exchange passing between us.
An unspoken promise.
His hand picks up speed, pumping harder and faster, those lean, corded muscles straining beneath his hot, wet skin. His gaze never leaves mine as he gives me a show.
“Fuck!” He lets go of another groan, his jaw locking, teeth baring like a wild animal as he reaches his release.
I can barely make out that part of him behind the clouded glass, but I wish I could. God, I wish I could see it all. Feel it. Touch it. Taste it …
My breath rushes out as fast and erratic as his, a sense of satisfaction filling me at the same time.
All too soon the incredible moment comes to an end, leaving a cold reality in its place.
Tension blankets the room as I open my mouth, knowing I should say something.
Do something…“I-I I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here.
” The lame excuse tumbles past my lips before I quickly close the door and hightail it back to the room.
My feet pace a hole in the floor, hands moving to my flushed cheeks as I try to grasp what just happened, images of what I just watched burning hot and bright.
I not only invaded his privacy, but I watched and I liked it…
Oh god, I have to get out of here.
Desperate for escape, I hurry to the closet and grab the first sundress I see before throwing it on. Afterward, I slip my feet into a pair of sandals and bolt from the room, heading straight for the front entrance.
The creak of the bathroom door opening sounds behind me. “Where are you sneaking off to, Alice?” Braxten’s question stops me mid-step, the deep sound of his voice tickling my spine.
I spin around to find amusement splashed across his handsome face, no anger or embarrassment as there should be.
Instead, he stands tall and confident in the doorway, a towel knotted low on his waist. It has my eyes drifting down the length of him again.
I’m certain I’ve never seen anything so magnificently crafted in all my life.
“Running scared?” he asks, cocking a brow.
My eyes snap back up to his and I shake my head even though that’s exactly what I should do. I should run as far and fast as I can, escape all these overwhelming emotions that I can’t seem to process.
“Good. Wouldn’t want you to get lost.” He advances on me, those dark, predatory eyes piercing the very depths of my soul.
With every step he takes, I retreat until I bump into the wall and become trapped.
My head cranes back as he invades my personal space, the heat of his skin stifling, robbing all the air from the room. Air that I desperately need at the moment.
“Do you know what happens to lost little girls, Wonderland?”
God, I love it when he calls me that.
My heart bangs against my ribs as I shake my head again, unable to find my voice.
His face dips, nose skimming along my cheek in a heated caress until it reaches my ear. “They get eaten by the big bad wolf.”
Oh gosh. I’m not so sure that’s such a bad thing. Not if he is the wolf.
“Braxten.” His name whispers past my lips on a needy whimper, my hand moving to the hard surface of his stomach as I fight to remain upright.
He leans back, his eyes storming with all the things I feel.
Before either of us can make any kind of move, the front door swings open with a bang, making me jump. A yelp escapes me, my heart leaping through two beats before taking off in a sprint.
Looking over Braxten’s arm, I find Knox in the doorway, his unforgiving eyes taking us in the compromising position.
“Am I interrupting?” His voice is as cold as ever.
I quickly slip out from under Braxten’s arm, suddenly feeling the need for distance.
“Actually, you are,” Braxten says, his tone annoyed as he turns to face his brother. “You need something?”
“Yeah, I do.” Knox’s gaze bores into mine, his indication clear.
It turns the blood in my veins to ice.
“Knock it off, Knox!” The warning snaps from Braxten like a lashing whip. He steps in front of me, blocking me from view.
“What’s wrong, brother? Not in the mood to share anymore?” Knox’s response might be dry, but there’s no denying the pain within each spoken word.
“Don’t do this,” Braxten says. “Not here. Not in front of her.”
The two face off in a silent exchange, emotions that I can’t even begin to name battling between them.
I hate that I am the cause of it.
The sound of small footsteps bound up the porch steps, interrupting the tense exchange. “Breakfast is ready,” Hannah J. announces. She ducks her head under Knox’s arm to peek inside, completely oblivious to what she just walked in on.
“Good morning, Hannah J.,” I greet softly.
“Morning, Miss Alice.” She takes in Braxten next to me, a frown adopting her face. “Uncle Brax, why are you naked?”
“Just got out of the shower, little bit,” he tells her, but his gaze remains on his brother.
“Well, you better get dressed before breakfast, no one wants to see that.”
A snicker escapes me before I smother it with my hand.
Braxten’s gaze finally moves to his niece, the anger on his face slowly melting away as amusement takes its place. “I’ll be sure to do that.”
“You coming too, Uncle Knox?” she asks, looking up at him expectantly. “I put out your favorite syrup.”
“Maybe later, kid.” He backs out of the doorway, betrayal lurking beneath his narrowed gaze as he glares back at his brother. “I suddenly don’t have much of an appetite.” Turning, he heads down the rickety steps, leaving us in silence.
I chance a look at Braxten and find an undeniable pain on his expression. It has me reaching out to touch his shoulder.
His gaze meets mine, displaying a war of emotions, each one striking my heart.
“Wanna walk with me to the house, Miss Alice?” Hannah J. asks. “Uncle Brax can be a real slow poke at times.”
My gaze lingers on Braxten, unsure what he wants me to do.
“Go,” he urges gently.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, we’ll finish this later.” There is no denying the dark promise in his voice.
After a nod, I walk over and take Hannah J.’s outstretched hand in mine.
“See ya there, Uncle Brax.”
“See you soon.”
His words might be for his niece, but his gaze remains on me. The intensity of it can be felt long after the door closes, doing things to my heart that can no longer be denied.