Page 74 of Swerve (Boosted Hearts 1)

The bathroom door opened and closed and I squeezed my eyes shut. The cool air hit me as Neco stepped in with me. He moved in behind me, wrapping his arms around me, pulling my body back against his strength. Neither one of us spoke. I had no idea where we went from here. All I knew was I loved him and I wanted him. That I would always want him.

“I do trust you,” he finally said against my hair. “Fuck, I’m proud of you, but Scott put you in the hospital, Ruby. I listened to a message the next day, heard you scream while he beat the shit out of you. I can’t just forget that. You’re working with Harry; I accept that. No, I don’t love it, because when it comes to you, I’m protective, and that will never change, but this case, I’m asking you again to leave it to me. For my own peace of mind.”

My heart squeezed tight. I wanted to give that to him, what he needed from me, but for my peace of mind, I didn’t think I could. I needed to work this case for me. I needed to save myself.

Turning in his arms, I pressed a kiss to his beautifully inked chest.

His cock instantly responded, stiffening between us. His hold tightened, and I knew he was about to take over, but I shook my head and pulled back, staring up at him as I reached down and wrapped his now fully hard cock in my fingers. That beautiful, wild heat that he always had in his eyes when we were together lit inside him, shining down at me. There was a wariness there, as well. He probably thought I was going to tell him to piss off after the argument we’d had. I couldn’t imagine that ever happening. Especially when I knew exactly why he reacted the way he did.

I slid my hand down and back up his hot length and watched every muscle in his body bunch tight. “This time, I’m in charge.”

He made a rough sound, hips pushing forward, sliding his cock through my fingers. “Is that right?”

“Mmmhmm.” I leaned in and kissed his chest again, sliding my lips across to his nipple. I nipped it, sucked it, loving the sound of his deep groan echoing off the tiles. I lifted my head, tying to keep my breathing normal, not easy with the way he was looking at me. But I refused to show weakness. If he saw an opening, he’d take over and I’d lose my shot at controlling the big, sexy, stubborn bastard staring down at me. One of his hands lifted, heading for my breast.

I grabbed his wrist and shook my head. “No touching.” Then I grabbed the soap and lathered up my hands. I ran them across his chest first, letting my nipples slide against his wet skin as I did, then up and over his broad shoulders.

He growled.

Heh.

I soaped up my hands again and let them slip and slide down over his defined abs, and just because I was a total meanie, bypassed his straining cock and dropped my hands to his outer thighs instead. My belly pressed against him, pinning his erection between us.

He smoothed my wet hair back from my face. “You tryin’ to torture me?”

“Maybe,” I said then nuzzled his chest.

He was quiet for a few seconds. “Maybe I deserve that.” He kissed my temple. “I’m not okay with what you did, not even a little, but I’m sorry for being an asshole.”

“Maybe you could be persuaded to change your mind, about one or two things?”

Another pause, longer this time. “That won’t happen.” His voice was rough, a little broken.

We were at an impasse. I could admit I was angry with him, about his refusal to see my way of thinking, over his refusal to even consider me working my own case. Really fucking angry. But that wasn’t all I was, because I knew where it came from. He wasn’t deliberately being controlling.

He was scared out of his mind for me.

And as much as I hated that I made him feel that way, I couldn’t pretend to be someone I wasn’t, either.

I forced myself to relax, to hold my tongue, and not start anything. I didn’t want to fight anymore, not tonight. I could drop it, for now. Instead, I got busy rinsing the soap from his skin, making sure our bodies slid together as much as possible, all hot and slippery.

Neco groaned. “You gonna put me out of my misery and suck my dick, or just keep rubbing your tits on me until I blow my load like a spotty teenager?”

I slid my arms around his waist. “You know what?” I screwed up my face. “I’m actually kinda tired.” I reached around him and switched off the water.

“What the . . . ?”

I opened the door and stepped out before he could finish his sentence. He grabbed for me, but I darted out of reach, somehow staying upright and not slipping over. Snatching a towel, I opened the door and speed walked to the living room. A thump and a curse followed me then Neco strode into the living room, completely naked—and deliciously wet.

He stood across from me, eyeing me like a bull facing down a red flag. “Woman, that was pure fucking evil.”

“You’re not tired?”

“No,” he growled.

I had the towel in front of me, and slowly lowered it, drying my stomach. His lips curled back, revealing gritted teeth. I shrugged, making my boobs jiggle. “I’m just being thoughtful. You’ve had a long day.”

His chest expanded with his sharp indrawn breath. “I’m not eighty.”