Free Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye Page B

series of quick pecks against her full mouth.
    By the time he finally started to talk, Makenna felt a little dizzy. His breath was sweet against her face. His stubble chafed at her cheek. He bored those deep brown eyes into her, pinning her against him in every possible way.
    "I've never...you're just...” He heaved a sigh. “Aw, hell. I like you, Red. I want to be with you. I want you to argue with me some more. I want to lie in your arms again. I want to touch you. I...I just..."
    Hope and happiness filled and warmed her chest. He'd come back for her. He wanted her.
    Smiling, Makenna reached a hand up behind her neck and grabbed one of his. He hesitated to release her, but finally let her pull his hand around to her mouth, where she pressed a big open-mouthed kiss onto the head of his dragon. She grinned up at him. “Come upstairs,” she breathed. “I make a mean omelet. And I'm starving."
    Her smile finally returned to brighten his face. He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead. “Okay. I could definitely eat."
    When Caden stepped away to allow her to turn back into the lobby, Makenna immediately missed the hard heat of his body all against hers. She squeaked when he grabbed at her bags, jerking her back a half step.
    "Let me,” he said as he pulled the straps away and slung them over his shoulder.
    My Good Sam.
    Out of habit, she stepped to the bank of elevators and pressed the button. This late at night, the door dinged and opened immediately. She turned to assess Caden's reaction before stepping in.
    He rolled his eyes and motioned her forward, grumbling under his breath.
    She was giddy things were turning out so differently than she'd feared just fifteen minutes before. Her joy bubbled over. She burst out laughing, then grasped his hand and pulled him into their second elevator of the night. “Come on. Lightning doesn't strike twice. Usually."
    She hit the button for the fourth floor and stepped against him and nuzzled his chest. He stroked her hair and she melted.
    The elevator reached her floor and opened up onto a rectangular space with halls running in opposite directions. She led Caden out and to the left, down to the fifth door on the right. “This is me."
    She reached into her open purse still on his shoulder and found her key ring, then turned and opened the door. Smiling over her shoulder at him, she pushed into her apartment and flicked on the hall light, which illuminated her small tidy kitchen as well. She walked to the kitchen counter and dropped her keys, then turned and unburdened Caden of her bags, and plopped those onto the counter, too.
    Sliding his hand around her neck, he kissed her again. Gently, adoringly. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom?"
    "Of course not.” She pointed behind him. “Just down that hall. I'm going to change out of my work clothes."
    "Okay.” He brushed her cheek with his big fingers. She leaned into the touch. Then he turned away.
    Makenna floated across her small apartment to her bedroom. She stumbled into her walk-in closet, kicking off her heels as she went, and stripped off her rumpled and grimy clothes. She breathed a deep sigh of relief when she was finally naked. The idea of a cool shower took root in her mind and sounded so delicious she finally gave in. She piled her hair on top her head to keep it dry and just stood for a moment as the water streamed over her. Finally, she grabbed the bar of Ivory and ran it quickly over her skin. Minutes later, she was back in her closet and feeling a lot more like a human being.
    She grabbed a pretty lavender lace bra and panty set, hoping against hope he'd actually see it, then slid into a pair of gray yoga pants and a soft lavender V-neck shirt. In her bathroom, she brushed her teeth and reworked her hair into a ponytail. She stretched her arms up over her head and luxuriated in feeling more comfortable than she'd been in hours.
    When she strolled back out into the adjoining living room, she found Caden perusing