"Shhh, it's all right, you're safe now. Whatever was in
your dream can't hurt you now," he whispered softly against
her cheek. "I've got you, Delilah. I've got you."
As he held her close, the crisp scent of soap filled
her nostrils. Slowly, her sanity was restored as she felt
the warmth of his smooth, damp flesh beneath her hands and
fingers. Gently, she eased back to look at him.
He sat beside her, hair still wet from the shower he
must have been taking. Her eyes swelled at the sight of
him. Having his tantalizing body this close and this
unclothed on her bed caused her blood to pump wildly
through her veins. She licked her lips and glanced down at
the towel draped around his hips. A long slit slid high up
his strong, muscular thigh. The seductive effect he had on
her was spellbinding and a little frightening.
He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I would've grabbed a
robe, but I don't own one."
She shook her head and tried to smile. "It's okay,
Clay. I'm glad you're here. I was a little freaked out by
my dream, but I'm not anymore."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
She pursed her lips together. No, she didn't want to
talk about it. Warren was the devil in her nightmares, and
he was never far away, no matter how far she ran. He was
the one thing that made her deathly afraid.
"Not really. I'm just glad I'm not alone tonight." She
reached down and squeezed his hand.
Slowly, he reached forward and turned on the light. The
glow that illuminated his body made him so much more
enticing than he had seemed in just the light that filtered
into her room from the hallway. She couldn't help but feel
a little naughty as she envisioned herself licking the
droplets of water from his body. Was it wrong to want him
to kiss her?
"Look, I'm sorry I acted like an asshole with Hunter
today. I never meant for that to happen. It's just that I
may have gotten a little—"
"Jealous," she blurted out with an arched brow and
teasing grin. The idea that the big, strong sheriff had
gotten jealous created a wild flutter of excitement that
sank deep into the pit of her stomach. She liked the idea
that he had those kinds of emotions where she was
concerned.
He sighed with a smile, sweeping back a strand of her
hair that had fallen forward, tucking it behind her ear. "I
guess you could say that."
For what felt like an eternity, they just stared at
each other. Deep–flowing warmth charged up her body
and settled around her chest, neck, and face. Hands clammy
with nerves, she couldn't believe how much she wanted Clay,
needing him to kiss her and allow her to make love to him.
The feelings were almost desperate in nature. It was the
strangest, most powerful yearning she'd ever experienced.
"I should probably go," Clay stammered.
"No, wait," she said, grabbing hold of his hand as he
stood, keeping him from leaving her side. She hadn't meant
to sound so frantic, but she couldn't help it. For so many
reasons, she didn't want him to leave. She desired him,
wanted him to stay with her. Tonight. "I don't want you to
go."
He studied her, his hand slowly wrapping around
hers. "Delilah, I'll only be across the hall. I'll keep
your door cracked open if it would make you feel more
comfortable."
She shook her head. "That's not what I mean."
Again he looked at her, his eyes deepening with
understanding. The war raging behind his heated gaze told
her that he wasn't sure if what she desired he could
provide. She knew he feared hurting her. She didn't expect
a relationship and understood that was a commitment he
could probably never give her, but she didn't care. She
wanted him for at least one night and needed him more than
he ever could imagine.
She gently tugged at his hand, coaxing him to sit back
down in front of her. She'd show him what she wanted and
pray he didn't reject her.
He sat, his body slightly rigid. Her stomach swirled
with apprehension but more so with passions she wanted to
share with her sheriff.
My sheriff.
With the gentle caress of her hand, she stroked the
side of his face, still smooth from his morning shave. As
she touched him, he never looked away. Then, she wrapped
her fingers around the back of his neck, closed the
distance, and lightly pressed her lips against his.
He pulled away and stood, looking like a nervous and
scared child. His chest rose and fell quickly. Swallowing
hard, he whispered her name.
"Please, Clay. Don't..." She felt an overwhelming
tightness fill her chest. She didn't know what else to say.
He glanced down to the floor, and she could see a
million and one thoughts racing in his mind as she stared
up at him. When he glanced back to meet her gaze, she
swallowed the dryness in her throat.
"Are you sure?"
Leaning back onto the bed, she parted her legs so her
inner thighs caressed his outer. She tugged at the towel
around his hips, loosening the material until it dropped to
the floor. For a moment, she admired him, taking in what
she could of his gorgeous body and hardening cock.