Page 46 of From the Wreckage

Brielle

The cabin is quiet when I step inside, Everett close on my heels.

My pulse pounds in my ears as I toss Dad’s truck keys onto the counter.

The sound is sharp, loud in the silence.

I whirl around, my chest heaving, and before I can think better of it, I close the distance between us, my lips crashing onto Everett’s.

He doesn’t hesitate. His arms cage me in, his mouth claiming mine with a hunger that steals the air from my lungs. All the fear, the rage, and the adrenaline from Joey—it twists and ignites into something else. Something dangerous.

His hand cups my jaw, the other sliding down to grip my ass, yanking me against him. His kiss swallows my gasp, his tongue stroking mine until I’m trembling and dizzy.

“Angel,” he groans against my mouth, his voice frayed with desperation. “We shouldn’t?—”

“I don’t care,” I whisper, tugging his shirt up, my hands fisting in the fabric. “I want you. Now.”

Whatever control he had left shatters. He lifts me onto the counter, shoving between my thighs as his mouth devours mine. My shorts are gone in seconds, his jeans shoved low on his hips. His fingers slide into me, stroking and preparing me for his dick. I arch into his touch with a strangled cry.

“Fuck, you’re so wet for me,” he rasps, his forehead pressed to mine. “You ruin me, angel.”

“You ruin me, too,” I breathe, wrapping my legs around him.

He yanks his boxers down, and then he’s inside me with a deep, hard thrust, filling me as I gasp his name against his shoulder.

His thrusts are rough and frantic, the countertop biting into my skin as his hands grip my hips, anchoring me.

Each snap of his body against mine is a brand, searing me with possession.

“Everett,” I whimper, my nails digging into his back. “God, yes?—”

“Say it,” he growls, driving deeper. “Tell me you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” I sob, my release crashing over me in violent waves. My body tightens around him, milking him until his own climax rips through him with a guttural curse.

He collapses against me, both of us trembling, sweat slicking our skin. For a few stolen breaths, the world is nothing but his weight against me, his heartbeat beating with mine, and the forbidden bliss of us.

But it’s ruined by the sound of a rumbling motorcycle engine.

Its roar grows louder and closer until it turns into the driveway. Panic slams through me.

“Shit,” Everett hisses, pulling out of me. We scramble, fumbling with clothes, dragging them on with shaking hands. I shove my hair back, trying to smooth it. Trying to breathe and look normal.

His boots sound like thunder as he climbs the porch steps. He shoves the door open, then steps inside, his helmet in his hand. Suspicion sharpens his gaze.

“Saw your truck outside,” Dad says to Everett.

“You’re home early,” I blurt out at the same time, my voice too high and shaky.

Dad narrows his eyes, looking from me to Everett again. “What’s going on?”

Everett steps forward, calm and collected in a way I can’t manage. “I stopped by Pine & Page for coffee. Found Joey harassing Brielle. He had his hands on her.” His jaw tightens, his eyes dark with the memory. “I yanked him off.”

Dad’s face goes red, fury and fear clashing in his expression. “He what ?”

“I’m fine, Dad,” I rush to reassure him, even though my voice is still unsteady. “Really. Everett took care of it.”

“Yeah, I scared him off.” Everett runs a hand through his dark hair. “But Bri was pretty shaken. So I bought her a coffee and sat with her for a few minutes until she calmed down, then followed her home.”

Dad exhales, pulling me into his arms, his embrace tight and protective. My eyes flick over his shoulder to Everett. Panic sparks in me. Does Dad see it? Does he know about Everett and me?

Everett’s face is unreadable as he gives a slight shrug.

When Dad pulls back, his eyes are full of concern. “Sorry Joey was an ass. Again.” He reaches over and claps Everett’s shoulder. “Thank you, man. You’re a damn hero.”

I exhale a relieved breath. He doesn’t suspect anything.

Dad eyes me. “Maybe it’s best if Everett sticks close. Goes with you when you run errands. Just until we’re sure Joey backs off. I’d feel better knowing someone’s with you when I’m at work.”

I force a smile, but my stomach knots. Dad thinks Everett’s protecting me. He has no idea that he just gave us every excuse to keep being together.