Chapter 9 #3
Eventually their movements slowed to a stop, and their chests no longer heaved with forceful breaths. When Colt’s eyes found hers, Alex was filled with a sense of female pride knowing she’d put the look of satiety there.
“Wow.” Colt blinked, his broad shoulders rising and falling with steadying breaths. “That was . . .”
Amazing. Incredible. Earth-shattering.
A mistake?
Alex gently lifted her body from his. When she did, Colt reached down to keep the condom from slipping loose. Her legs quivered beneath her and her head spun.
She’d just had sex with Coulter Morgan. Not just sex but freaking phenomenal sex.
Was it a mistake? Probably. But it was like she’d said before. He was finally out of her system, and she was out of his.
You sure about that?
“I’m gonna go clean up.” Colt stood from the couch with a groan. “Be right back.” He leaned down, dropping a sweet kiss to her lips.
“Okay,” Alex whispered back, not sure of what else to say.
While he disappeared into the bathroom, she set about collecting their previously discarded clothes. She’d shower later, after he left, but for now, she chose to redress in her pajamas before laying his things on a nearby chair.
“Well I guess that answers that question.”
She turned to see him walking toward her from the shadows of the bedroom. He was still naked, of course, and his half-hard erection was bobbing between his strong thighs.
Things between them had happened so quickly Alex hadn’t had the chance to fully appreciate his masculine physique. But now that she saw him in all his God-given glory—
Well, damn.
His biceps, chest, sculpted six pack, and those powerful thighs. Colt was more fit and chiseled than she’d ever imagined, even in her wildest dreams.
“Alex?”
She blinked, clearing her throat on reflex with a quick shake of her head. “Sorry, what question did I supposedly answer?”
The man’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. “I was going to ask if you were ready for round two.”
“Oh.” She swallowed as he came to a stop before her. “I, uh . . . I mean, I would but I have a really early flight.”
A flash of disappointment crossed over his blue gaze, but he recovered quickly. “Of course.” Colt nodded. “You’re absolutely right. Give me a sec to get dressed and I’ll be out of your hair.”
“It’s nothing personal,” she rushed to assure him. “If I wasn’t leaving tomorrow—”
“It’s okay, Alex.” Colt smiled. “I get it. Really. It’s been a long day, and you’re right. You should probably get some sleep.”
“You, too.” She crossed her arms at her chest as the walls she’d built long ago rose high. “Especially if you’re planning to do your spy thing and take down Gordan’s sex-trafficking operation. I’m sure a job like that requires you to be well-rested and at the top of your game.”
“Sleep is always a good thing.” He put on his pants with a chuckle.
Alex watched as he draped his jacket, shirt, and tie over the crook of his elbow. With those items secured, Colt balled up his dress socks and boxer briefs in one fist while letting his dress shoes hang loosely from his other hand.
An awkward silence filled the space between them as he came over to where she still stood.
“This was fun, Alex.” His blue gaze met hers. “And don’t worry. I promise to stick to our agreement.”
“Agreement?”
“No strings, right?”
Oh. That.
“Right. No strings.” She cleared her throat. “I’m sure you can agree, it’ll make things a lot easier for us both.”
“Easy’s good.”
“It is.” Alex forced her lips into a smile. “And like you said, no one else ever has to know.”
I’ll know.
For the rest of her life, she’d have to live with the knowledge of what it felt like to be with this man.
“Hey.”
Alex gave herself a mental shake and met his worried gaze. “What?”
“You good?”
“I’m fine,” she lied through her teeth. “I’m great.”
She wasn’t sure he believed her, but at least Colt didn’t continue to push.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m good, Colt. Just tired. I think I’ll take a quick shower and go to bed.”
He moved the shoes to his other hand before reaching out to cup one side of her face.
“You need anything, you call me.” He spoke with a gentle tone. “And I don’t mean just for tonight.”
“Okay.” Alex’s response came out a tad shaky. She cleared her throat again, offering him a much stronger sounding, “Thanks.”
Now please, please, please hurry up and leave.
It wasn’t that she didn’t revel in his touch. The problem was she did. And if he continued touching her in such a sweet and caring way, Alex feared she’d do something stupid and invite him to stay.
Colt leaned in close and pressed his mouth to hers. She kissed him back, knowing this would be her last chance to savor his taste.
One last time. One final kiss. It was going to have to be enough.
Colt pulled back before she was ready to let him go. His thumb feathered across the flushed skin at her cheek.
“You have my number.” His spellbinding gaze searched hers a moment longer before he stepped back and let his hand fall from her face.
Alex walked him to the door. She undid the safety latch and pulled it open. Colt stopped with one foot in the hall.
“Sleep well, Alexandria.”
“You, too, Coulter.”
A second later, he was gone.