Free Rebel on the Run by Jayne Rylon Page B

cheeks had more to do with embarrassment than desire.
    “Like I’d die if I didn’t come. Or like I could do that forever without my mind wandering to the charity event I’m planning next. Like I’d die happy if I could do that and nothing else for the next decade.” She figured she could stop there though there was so much more rushing through her. 
    “Glad to hear it.” He chuckled as he swooped in for a kiss, calling it quits before it got too intense. Still it was long enough for her to sample their mingled flavors and decide she liked it. “Because I sure as hell have never eaten anyone as sweet as you. I’m going to need another taste soon.”
    “So why won’t you let me touch you?” She tilted her head, scrutinizing his wince.
    “Because if you do, I’ll lose control. And you’re not ready for that. For me. Not today. Not with everything else going on.” He cleared his throat. “I shouldn’t have pressed you. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Not now. And not like this.”
    “I’m glad it did.” She offered him a shy smile as her body hummed its approval. Warm and liquid, she settled into a delicious afterglow. “I’ve waited long enough to experience the kind of passion I’ve read about, don’t you think?”
    “You and me both.” He grinned.
    “And I’ve learned not to take things for granted.” She took a deep breath. “I should have told you when we were kids how much you meant to me. I regretted that the most once you were gone.”
    “Same goes, lady.” He covered her face in butterfly kisses, showing her he understood. Maybe even felt the same. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.”
    “And now that I know how people can disappear from your life, I don’t want to ever waste a chance.” She blurted out what had been bugging her since before he crashed her solo bath party. “But I don’t want to put you or your friends in danger. I should leave. The sooner the better.”
    “Shush. You’re not going anywhere, Kae.” He hugged her so tight she might have squeaked if she could have drawn the breath for it. “Not until this is resolved. The gang agrees. Each of us came here running from something. Hot Rods has been our sanctuary. We’d never shut the door on someone who needs shelter. Stay and figure this out. I’ll help you.”
    “And then?” She hated that she asked, but now that she’d found him, the thought of losing him again shredded her guts.
    “That’s up to you.” Part of her still worried maybe he was being polite, offering her a place until she got on her feet. She sighed, swallowed hard and forced herself to separate from him. Put a modicum of distance between them. Getting too attached was something she couldn’t afford.
    “Okay?” He glanced down at her, concern in his stormy gray eyes as he swiped the last drops of moisture from her cheeks with his thumbs.
    She nodded, unable to speak. Or at least afraid of what her voice might convey.
    Bryce plucked her towel from the floor, where it had fallen. Utterly forgotten. He tucked her in the warm, soft fabric, then linked their fingers and led her toward the bathroom door.
    “Want me to ask Sally or Nola for some PJs?” He winced as he glanced over his shoulder from their joined hands to her towel-dress, which couldn’t begin to hide the lovely rose and lilac marks he’d left on her with his love bites.
    “Nah. At this point it seems kind of silly.” She grinned, not one bit sorry for what they’d done or how today had turned out. From the lowest point in her life to a record high, she couldn’t have traded up any better.
    He nodded and grinned, a hint of the boy he’d been shining through his tough-guy exterior. She squeezed his hand before he led her into the hall.
    Where several of the Hot Rods were milling around. Had they heard her cries as Bryce ate her out? How could they have missed them?
    Instead of mortification, Kaelyn felt pride in Bryce and his ability to please her.
    No