Chapter 33
Everett
Iunlocked the door and let us into Piper’s suite.
She’d been quiet. I could tell she was tired, worried, and drained.
“I’m going to get us some food and make you a hot drink.” I set my keys down on the kitchen counter. “Why don’t you have a hot shower and change?”
She met my gaze briefly and nodded.
“Remember to cover your stitches so they don’t get wet.”
“Yes, Dad.”
I watched her go, worry gnawing at me. I was so used to take-charge Piper. I hated seeing her so upset.
I made some hot chocolate but held off ordering food. I wasn’t sure if she’d eat anyway. Once I filled a mug, I glanced at the bedroom. I could hear the shower running and she still hadn’t reappeared.
Carrying the mug into the bedroom, I set it down on the bedside table and walked to the bathroom. Steam filled the room and I saw Piper in the shower stall.
She was standing there, arms at her sides, looking at the water swirling down the drain. My heart clenched. Damn, I wanted to take away all her pain. I wanted to see her smile. I wanted to hear her snapping orders at someone over the phone.
I quickly shed my clothes and stepped into the shower. She startled and looked up. She hadn’t even realized I was in the room.
“Hey.” I wrapped my arms around her.
She burrowed in, and together, we stood under the hot spray.
“I can’t get warm. I keep seeing Chance… I keep seeing his blood on my hands.”
“Shh. Just let it all go for now.” I tipped some of her flowery shower gel onto my palm. Then, I took my time smoothing it over her skin. I wanted to soothe her, help her realize that she was safe. “I’ve got you.”
“No one ever has before,” she whispered.
But I did. And I would forever if she’d let me.
Fuck, I was way past falling for Piper Ellis.
I’d hit the ground hard. I was crazy for her.
Not the glossy, sometimes bossy and terrifyingly smart executive.
I liked that Piper and her high heels, but I also liked the other side of her.
The loving daughter, sister, and granddaughter, the real woman she didn’t show everyone.
Still, I knew Windward wasn’t for her. And it was my home.
I shoved that thought away for now.
“One day, you’re going to stop looking so surprised about someone looking out for you.” I washed her all over, then got some shampoo and worked it into her hair. She was quiet and still, tipping her head back, letting me wash her.
Finally, I shut the shower off and led her out. I wrapped her in one of the hotel’s fluffy towels. With a second towel, I dried myself off quickly and slung it around my hips. Then I took my time drying her off.
With the towel still around her, I nudged her into the bedroom. When she sat on the edge of the bed, I pushed the mug of hot chocolate into her hands.
“Drink. It’s probably going cold.”
“You’re always making me drink hot things.” She sipped.
I stood over her, watching. “Drink it all.”
When she rolled her eyes at me, I took that as a sign she was feeling a little better.
“Do you want something to eat? I can order us something.”
She shook her head. “This was enough. I…couldn’t manage anything else.”
“Then into bed.”
I got her under the covers, then headed out to turn off the fireplace and the lights. When I got back to the bedroom, I slid into the bed on the other side. She instantly pressed into me.
“Sleep now.” I pressed my face to her hair.
She shook her head and I felt one of her hands drifting down my stomach.
I grabbed her wrist. “Piper…”
“I need you.” She tipped her face up.
“You need sleep.”
“I need you more.”
Those words arrowed into me. A week ago, I knew it was something she wouldn’t have said to anyone. I let her take my mouth. There was a hint of something in her kiss, like she was trying to erase the day, trying to outrun whatever emotions were coursing through her.
I didn’t care. Whatever she needed, I’d give it to her. I’d be her port in the storm.
I rolled her under me and took the kiss deeper. Her nails dug into my back and she moaned into my mouth.
It was too late for me.
I was in love with Piper and I couldn’t pull back, even if I wanted to.
If I said the words, I knew she’d panic, or look at me with shock, or worse, sympathy. I couldn’t say them out loud. I let my hands slide down her body, tracing her curves. But I could show her.
I could make as many memories as I could, so I had them to hold onto when she was gone.
Our kisses got heated. I shoved the covers out of my way, then slid my hands behind her knees. I pushed her legs up and out and listened to her husky gasp. Then I buried my face in her pretty, slick pussy.
“Everett.” Her hands sank into my hair, tugging hard. I licked her and she rocked her hips against mouth.
I drank in the taste of her, stabbing my tongue deep, loving every needy sound she made.
She was getting close, and so was I. I needed to be inside her.
I reared up and grabbed a condom.
“Hurry,” she panted.
I rolled it on my throbbing cock. Need was riding me hard, and with no skill or finesse, I pinned her to the bed. I’d wanted to be romantic, to go slow.
That wasn’t an option anymore.
I was inside her in an instant.
“God, yes.” She arched into me, her nails digging into my arms.
Her pussy clenched on my cock. I slid an arm around her to keep her in place, my other arm resting on the bed so I didn’t crush her. Then I thrust into her—hard, rough, and fast.
As I rode her, I kept my gaze locked on her flushed face. I tilted my hips and she cried out. Her nails scratched down my back and I fucked her harder. Her gaze never left mine.
“Find it, Piper.”
Her lips parted, her chest was rising and falling fast.
“Piper, fuck, so good,” I groaned.
Her pussy clenched on my cock. With a sharp cry, she started coming.
Thank Christ. With another heavy thrust, my own climax slammed into me. I groaned through it, my body shuddering as she milked me.
Finally, I rolled off her and collapsed onto my back. She curled into me, pressing kisses to my chest. We were both breathing hard.
“Now can you sleep?” I rasped.
“I think so.” She kissed my slick shoulder. “You know, I always knew you’d be good with your hands, but it’s a hard choice to decide if you’re better with your hands or your mouth.”
I looked down at her. She was smiling. Her hair was damp, her lips swollen, and her blue eyes were bright with happiness. I slid my hand up and cupped her breast. When I flicked my finger over her nipple, it pebbled.
“Maybe you need some more experience with both for you to decide.”
She bit her lip. “Maybe I do.”