Free Cinders by Asha King Page B

down his shaft, fingers tentative and careful. The more she touched him, the more comfortable she seemed, immediately understanding his panting breaths and groans of pleasure. She gripped him harder, the dampness of the bathroom and rain still clinging to them helping to make him slick and ready, gliding easily in her hand. He kissed her, devouring her lips, sliding his hands over her body. But as much as he wanted to take over, to hear her sigh and cry with pleasure as he drove her to climax, he reined himself in, let her lead.
    It wasn’t long before orgasm was barrelling toward him, just her seductive yet earnest touch enough to push him right over the edge after wanting her for so long. A familiar tingle started low, his body ready to erupt.
    “Back up, sweetheart,” he whispered against her lips and her lust-hazed eyes met his in question. “I’m going to come.”
    She gave their bodies just a bit of space but didn’t let go of him, sliding up and down, grinding her palm against the head of his cock. He gripped the edge of the sink with one hand, locked the other in her hair as he kissed her, pleasure rushing through his entire body. Desire unraveled him and he gave up control, let climax tear through him. His seed jetted out, splashing across his abdomen as he struggled to calm his breaths.
    Brennen panted, his heart thudding loudly. He kissed her softly, nuzzled her cheek, wanted to take her straight to his bed for a second round. But he still didn’t know why she showed up at his door or what else was going on.
    Little by little she peeled away from him, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I just—”
    “You do not need to apologize for that, Gina.”
    Her gaze skimmed his torso where evidence of their encounter waited and she blushed harder. He wanted to save her any more embarrassment and turned to run the faucet, soaking a cloth by the sink to wipe off his stomach.
    “Is it okay if we...don’t do anything else, tonight?” she asked quietly.
    “Of course.” Cleaned up, he cast the cloth in the laundry pile and turned to her, reaching past to switch off the bathtub water—it was already full, and running down the emergency drain just as quickly as it filled. He stood straight to wrap his fingers around her upper arms and pressed a tender kiss to her temple. “Your tea is probably cold, but take a few minutes to relax in the water. I’ll find you a change of clothes. And I won’t peek.”
    Gina grinned up at him, her sweet smile warming him through. “Thank you, Brennen.”
    He kissed her again and went to find that change of clothes. Still, despite his body’s hunger briefly quieted and the relief that she seemed a bit brighter and more settled now, worry gnawed at him. He still didn’t know what brought her to his door, what could’ve possibly happened that night, or how he was going to restrain himself if someone had hurt her.
     
    ****
     
    Gina soaked in the tub, sinking deep into the water and closing her eyes.
    Brennen had brought her an oversized T-shirt and a pair of his boxers, set them on the counter, and then scooped up her clothes all while providing her privacy by not glancing her way. Which she was grateful for—she was mostly hidden in the deep water, her knees drawn up and arms crossed over her chest, but she didn’t need to. He was a perfect gentleman, careful not to push or hurt her.
    She wasn’t sure what she’d been thinking, showing up at his place, but she couldn’t stay at home after dealing with Maureen. Couldn’t bear the thought of heading back upstairs to her room, where she’d lie awake thinking about everything she couldn’t do to stop the sale of the bakery. Couldn’t tolerate another minute of that life awaiting her at home and couldn’t stop thinking about everything she didn’t have, everything she wanted.
    Gina had very little money—her stepmother basically saw to that—except for the bits she’d gathered up over the years when someone