Bared to You: A Crossfire Novel

triumph. I could do this to him.

In the moments of orgasm, I owned him as completely as he owned me.

Gideon folded over me, his hair fal ing forward to tickle my chest, his lungs heaving. “God. I can’t go days without this. Even the hours at work are too long.” I ran my fingers through the sweat-damp roots of his hair. “I missed you, too.”

He nuzzled my breasts. “When you’re not with me, I feel—Don’t run anymore, Eva. I can’t take it.” He pul ed me up to stand in front of him, keeping his cock in me until the soles of my heels touched the hardwood floor. “Come home with me now.”

“I can’t leave Cary.”

“Then we’l drag him out of here with us. Shh…

Before you complain, whatever he hopes to get out of this party, I can make happen. Being here accomplishes nothing.”

“Maybe he’s having fun.”

“I don’t want you here.” He suddenly seemed distant, his tone far too control ed.

“Do you know how badly it hurts me when you say that?” I cried softly, my chest tight with the pain of it.

“What’s wrong with me that you don’t want me around your family?”

“Angel, no.” He hugged me, his hands roaming my back in soothing caresses. “There’s nothing wrong with you. It’s this place. I don’t—I can’t be here. You want to know what’s in my dreams? It’s this house.”

“Oh.” My stomach knotted with worry and confusion.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Something in my voice lured him to press a kiss between my eyebrows. “I’ve been rough with you today. I’m sorry. I’m edgy and agitated being here, but that’s no excuse.”

I cupped his face and stared into his eyes, seeing the tumultuous emotions he was so used to hiding.

“Don’t ever apologize for being yourself with me. It’s what I want. I want to be your safe place, Gideon.”

“You are. You don’t know how much, but I’l find a way to tel you.” He rested his forehead against mine.

“Let’s go home. I bought some things for you.”

“Oh? I love gifts.” Especial y when they came from my self-professed unromantic boyfriend.

Cautiously, he began to pul out of me. I was shocked to feel how wet I was, how copiously he’d come. The final few inches of his cock slid out in a rush and semen slicked my inner thighs. A moment later, two audacious droplets fel to the hardwood floor between my spread legs.

“Oh, shit.” He groaned. “That’s so damn hot. I’m getting hard again.”

I stared at the brazen display of his virility and felt warm. “You can’t go again after that.”

“Hel if I can’t.” Cupping my sex in his hand, he rubbed the slickness al over me, coating the outer lips and massaging it into the folds. Euphoria spread through me like the warmth of fine liquor, a sense of contentment that came solely from the knowledge that Gideon found gratification in me and my body.

“I’m an animal with you,” he murmured. “I want to mark you. I want to possess you so completely there’s no separation between us.”

My hips began to move in tiny circles as his words and touch reignited the desire he’d goaded with the thrusts of his cock. I wanted to come again, knew I’d be miserable if I had to wait until we reached his bed. I was a sexual creature with him, too, so physical y attuned to him and so positive that he would never physical y hurt me, that I was…free.

I encircled his wrist with my fingers and gently directed his hand around my hip to reach for me from behind. Nipping his jaw with my teeth, I gathered the courage he inspired in me and whispered, “Touch me here with your fingers. Mark me there.” He froze, his chest lifting and fal ing rapidly. “I don’t”—his voice strengthened—“I don’t do anal play, Eva.”

Looking into his eyes, I saw something dark and volatile. Something very painful.

Of all the things for us to have in common…

The raw passion of our lust gentled into the warm familiarity of love. With my heart breaking, I confessed,

“I don’t either. At least not voluntarily.”

“Then…why?” The confusion in his voice moved me deeply.

I hugged him, pressing my cheek to his shoulder and listening to the slightly panicked beat of his heart.

“Because I believe your touch can erase Nathan’s.”

“Oh, Eva.” His cheek pressed to the crown of my head.

I snuggled closer. “You make me feel safe.” We held each other for long moments. I listened to his heartbeat slow and his breathing smooth out. I inhaled deeply, relishing the mix of his personal scent mixed with the scent of hard lust and harder sex.

When the tip of his middle finger slid gossamer-soft over the pucker of my anus, I stil ed and pul ed back to look at him. “Gideon?”