Chapter 38
GEORGIE
In the shower, I tilted my face to the spray.
I washed it all away. The blood, the dirt, the fear, the anger.
The grief would never leave. I’d always miss Viv, and Elliott, and my parents. But I didn’t want it gone. Grief was just proof of how much I loved them.
Shutting off the water, I stepped out and felt lighter.
I was free.
In the mirror, I stared at my reflection. I saw a woman with a small cut on her temple, which thankfully wasn’t too bad.
A woman who was no longer tired, alone, or running on fear and anger.
Just a woman. With possibilities ahead of her and who was in love with a sexy, strong man.
The bathroom door opened and through the mist from the shower, I saw him. He’d clearly showered in the guest room. His hair was damp and he was wearing black pajama pants that sat low on his narrow hips and no shirt.
He held up an ice pack. “I thought you might need this?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“How’s the cut?” He reached up and touched it, gently probing.
“Minor. How’s your head?”
“Still attached.”
Landon had checked him over when we’d returned to the Avernus. He’d given Nash the all clear, but told me to keep an eye on him. It was going to take me a long time to get the image of Snyder hitting Nash with a tire iron out of my head.
Snyder. I let the thought of him float away. He had no power over my life anymore.
Nash cocked his head. “You okay?”
I smiled “I am. I really am.”
“It’s been a hell of a night. I want you to lie down and rest.” He was still holding the ice pack like he was trying to find a spot on my body that needed it.
I fought back a smile. My big, protective assassin. I closed the distance between us and pressed my hands to his chest.
Things shifted inside me, a growing need that had everything to do with him. Everything to do with love and desire. I pressed my lips to his chest and nipped.
“Georgie…”
I ran my mouth up his neck. God, I loved the taste of him. I went up on my toes and pressed my mouth to his.
With a groan, he gripped my jaw and kissed me back.
“The last thing I want to do is rest,” I whispered.
His hands clamped on my hips. “Like I said, it was a hell of a night. You were abducted, you fought with Snyder, you killed him. It’s a lot to take in.”
“No. Tonight, Snyder no longer exists.” I nipped his jaw. “What exists is us.”
I kissed him again, before I slowly lowered to my knees in front of him.
“Georgie…” His voice deepened.
“I want you. I want you in my mouth.” I rubbed my cheek against the hard bulge in his pants.
He made a low sound, his fingers sliding into my hair. “Then suck me, sweetheart. I need you to suck my cock, Georgie.”
I pushed the waistband of his pants down and freed his cock. I licked my lips and circled his girth with my hand. Leaning forward, I took him in my mouth.
He groaned my name. I pressed my other hand to his strong thigh, sucking him deep. Right now, I didn’t have it in me to take my time or tease him. I dragged my mouth up, swirled my tongue around the head, then lowered my head again.
“Christ, Georgie, your mouth…” His hips rocked forward.
I looked up, our gazes meshing. I sucked him harder, so my cheeks hollowed.
With a growl, he slid his hands under my armpits and hauled me up. Then he carried me across the bathroom in two long strides. My bare butt hit the cool marble of the vanity, and Nash shoved my legs wide. His hands clamped over my breasts, squeezing, thumbs flicking over my nipples.
I arched into him. I could no longer think. I was pure sensation.
“I need you inside me,” I panted.
He made a low sound, and pushed my thighs wider with his hips. “Watch.”
One of his hands circled his hard cock, and heat licked my insides. I couldn’t look away as he lined up the thick head between my legs. Then he shoved forward.
I cried out. I was filled with Nash.
Filled with everything I needed.
With him, I wasn’t alone. With him, I was loved.
Then he started to move. It was hard and fast, and my cries filled the bathroom. His hands slid under my ass and lifted me. He swiveled, and I found myself on my hands and knees on the bathroom mat.
He was behind me, thighs pressing against my ass. Then he was back inside me. He hammered into me hard. I threw my head back against his shoulder. His hand delved beneath my straining body and strummed my clit.
“Nash.” I came hard, pleasure washing over me in intense waves. My head spun and for a second, I worried that I’d pass out from the intensity.
He gripped my hips, and I knew I’d have bruises. He slammed into me one more time, and with a low roar, he poured himself inside me.
We were both panting. I wasn’t sure I could move, but I didn’t need to worry. Nash lifted me off the floor and carried me out of the bathroom.
He set me down on the bed, then climbed on and hauled me close.
I snuggled into him and sighed happily.
“You sure you don’t need the ice pack?”
I laughed. “Absolutely. I’m good, Nash. Really good.” I tilted my head back. “Thank you. For everything. For helping me, for caring for me. But most of all, for helping me take down Snyder. It was what I needed.”
He stroked a hand through my hair. “You never need to thank me.”
I breathed him in, listening to the steady thump of his heart. An uncomfortable niggle wormed through me.
My mission was done. Snyder had been my focus, but now he was dead.
Now, I needed to sort out my life.
Nash hadn’t mentioned what happened next, but I couldn’t just stay at his place. I wouldn’t take advantage of him.
“I guess tomorrow I need to work out where I go next.”
He stiffened. “Go?”
I nodded. “I need to think about a job, and about finding a place to live.”
He stiffened even more.
I frowned. “Nash—”
“You live here.” His voice was a growl. He rolled and pinned me under him. “You aren’t leaving.”
He was using his bossy tone.
“Nash, I can’t just stay here. You’ve already done so much for me.”
His rugged face hardened. “You will stay here. You’re mine. I’m yours.”
My belly tightened. “I—”
“I’m not letting you go, Georgie. I tried it once. It was the wrong decision.”
My heart was giving tiny little flutters. “Why? Why do you want me to stay?”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Because we’re good together.”
“I need more than that,” I whispered.
That muscle ticked again. “You’re staying because I love you. I thought a different life would be better for you, but I was wrong. The best thing for you is me. A man who’ll love you, protect you, always.”
He loved me. My insides melted to goo. “You love me?”
“How can you not know?”
“I love you too, Nash. So much.”
He made a noise, then his mouth was on mine, tongue finding mine. The kiss was deep and possessive.
“You’re not leaving. Ever. I never want to hear you talk about leaving again.”
I stroked his stubbled jaw. “I didn’t mean that I was leaving you. I thought I’d find a rental apartment here in Las Vegas, and get a job—”
“You can find a job, or not. Whatever you want. But your home is here now. With me.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart.”
“They’re happy tears.”
“I don’t care. No crying.”
I fought back a smile. “I had nothing without you.” My voice was thick. “Now, I have everything.”
“And I’ll make sure you always feel that way.”