Free Head Above Water (Nightshade MC Book 4) by Shannon Flagg Page A

would be. “I don't recall asking you to beg. That's really not my thing.” He kept his voice even and calm, like the way that Ace talked to Jillian when she was on edge. Drea looked on edge. Despite her words, he thought that if he walked away, there would be harm done.
    “Whatever,” she replied. “I'm getting a beer.” She headed for the kitchen and he got to his feet. He watched her grab the beer. She turned back around, saw that he was standing and frowned. “What?”
    Monroe decided not to answer with words. Instead, he went with action. She remained expressionless as he moved closer to her, but gasped when he buried his hands in her hair. He dipped his head down, brought his lips to hers. She tasted like tequila and beer.
    There was no hesitation in her response to him. She kissed him back, and his hands in her hair wasn't enough. He let his hands slide out of her hair, over her shoulders and to her back. Drea pushed closer to him, let her arms move around his neck. Monroe only pulled back when the need to breathe became too great to ignore.
    “I don't know about you, but I'm about to go upstairs and get naked.” She stretched up, kissed him and untangled herself from him. Monroe followed her up the stairs. It was smaller than downstairs. “I didn't make my bed this morning, don't judge me.”
    “Why make it? You're just going to get back into it anyway.”
    “Good answer,” she laughed as she opened the door to her bedroom.
    Monroe had expected it to be bare, sort of how her living room was, but she seemed to have settled in up here. One of the walls slanted slightly; she had strung little sparkling lights along the top of it, so he got a good view of a plush bed, and tall armoire, even before she turned on the overhead light. Once she did turn on the light, she started to take off her shirt.
    “Hold on a second, let me do that.” He stepped forward. “There's no need to rush, Drea.” He reached out for the hem of her shirt, slid his hands underneath. She jolted as his fingers slid along her side to her back. The smooth skin gave way to something else, raised bumpy flesh. Scars.
    She inhaled sharply, tensed but didn't move away. “I was in an accident when I was a girl,” she said shortly.
    “Sorry to hear that.” Monroe was sure that she was lying, but he let it go. He gripped the hem of the shirt, eased it up. Drea raised her arms. Underneath the simple shirt, she wore a bra that was basically all dark green lace and seriously sexy. “Is this from the shop?”
    “Yes,” she admitted. “Do you like it?”
    “Green is my favorite color.” He skimmed his fingers down her arms. “And it looks good on you, really good.”
    “So, that must be why Claire buys so much of it. She's always bragging about getting it ripped off of her or whatever, so I did the math. I know she's part of the Nightshade harem.”
    “It's not a harem,” Monroe protested.
    “Whatever they are, it doesn't matter to me. It's not like either of us are virgins, unless you've got something you'd like to tell me.”
    “Definitely not a virgin,” Monroe replied.
    “Prove it,” she said with a grin he was starting to recognize. “Just please tell me that you have a condom.”

Chapter Five
     
    “I've got condoms,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “You having second thoughts?”
    “No. You?” For a horrible moment, Drea wondered if he had. Was that why his searching hands were suddenly still on her skin? His expression was serious, his eyes on hers, but then a smile lit his face.
    “Fuck no,” he replied with a laugh. “I'm just trying to figure out where to start with you.”
    Several suggestions immediately sprang to mind, but Drea didn't get a chance to list any of them because his mouth was on hers again. There was demand in the kiss, so much need that it took her breath away, and all she could do was hold on to him. Even though his mouth was demanding, his hands were soft, gentle, as he worked his way down