Page 166 of Bend

“There’s my girl.”

Echo’s eyes open, bright with that same smart-ass spark. “Don’t get smug.”

“I’m not.”

“You sound smug.”

“I like when you stop thinking long enough to let me have you.”

That quiets her.

Not because I’m ordering anything from her. Because she knows exactly what I mean.

I brush my thumb along her cheek. “You don’t have to be tough with me.”

Her eyes stay on mine. “I know.”

“Good.”

I kiss her again, softer this time, letting my weight settle beside her instead of over her completely.

“Then let me take my time with you.”

Echo grins against my mouth.

“Careful, Wolfe. I might start thinking you actually like me for more than my ass.”

I laugh, low and easy, and shift us farther onto the bed until she’s stretched beneath me properly. My hands move slowly beneath the hem of her shirt, warm against her skin as I start easing the fabric upward. She helps by lifting her arms, but not before her fingers find my ribs and give me a quick, playful pinch.

“Fuck,” I laugh, jerking slightly. “Was that necessary?”

“Absolutely.”

“Fucking brat.”

“Still your girl.”

That wipes the complaint right out of me.

“Yeah,” I murmur, looking down at her. “You are.”

I ease her shirt the rest of the way up and over her head, tossing it somewhere beside the bed. Echo barely gives me a second before her hands find the hem of mine.

“Your turn.”

I laugh under my breath but lift enough to help her pull it off. The second it clears my head, her palms slide over my chest and around my ribs, warm and curious, like she’s been waiting for the chance to get her hands on me properly.

Then she leans up and kisses me again.

Harder this time.

Her fingers curl at my side, dragging me closer as she shifts beneath me, and when I pull back just enough to breathe, she follows my mouth with hers.

I smile.

“Impatient are we?”

“Maybe you’re moving too slow.”