Page 63 of Distress Signal

She turned her back on me, and my more basic nature finally got the better of me. I allowed my eyes to dip down—and down and down.

Goddamnit, the tee was so fucking short, it barely covered her ass, the bottom curves of the cheeks peeking out of the hem.

And her legs were as long and shapely as I remembered.

They’d looked so fucking good wrapped around my face and my hips.

I gave myself a shake.Not the time, Finn.

She took a glass from the cupboard and filled it to the brim with water, chugging eagerly until there was only an inch or so remaining in the bottom.

Even the woman’s throat was sexy, the way it worked as she swallowed.

I remembered it swallowing a few other things that involved both of us wearing a lot less clothing.

And there I went, thinking about sex again.

Clearing my throat and swinging my eyes upward again, I asked, “Are you okay?”

Her lips were pursed, an eyebrow slightly curved upward, as if to say,really?

Shit, she’d caught me checking her out.

Whatever. I was a red-blooded male who hadn’t fucked in a long damn time, and I knew exactly what fucking this particular woman was like.

No one I’d ever met had managed to get me going quite like she did.

Sue me.

In answer to my question, she finally said, “I’d be a lot better if you put that gun away.”

“Shit,” I hissed, realizing my pistol was still in my hand. I flipped the safety on and let it hang loosely at my side, not exactly having anywhere to store it in this house. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” she said, draining her glass of water. “I’m sorry I woke you up and made you go all…Rambo.”

I chuckled. “Kind of second nature. I am a soldier, after all,” I reminded her.

“Oh, I’m well aware.”

Silence descended between us. Not exactly awkward, but fraught with something I couldn’t quite name. The air was charged with tension, and I recognized this moment as a tipping point. We could part ways and pretend like nothing happened, or…

Ultimately, I decided to leave the ball in her court.

“Well, I’m gonna head back,” I said, hooking my thumb toward the door and my house. “Gotta be up early. But call if you need anything.”

Honestly, I had no idea what time it was, only that dawn was coming faster than I’d like. And I’d surely struggle to fall back to sleep after this, too worried about her and wired about the threat of danger to let myself relax.

My hand was on the doorknob when she stopped me with a single word.

“Stay.”

I whipped back around. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she whispered, but the word was firm. “I need someone here. So stay. Please?”

The question came out as a plea, softly begging.

As if I’d ever deny her anything.