Bare It All

“I would.”

Yes, she would. Alice never held back during sex.

If only she was that honest the rest of the time.

Unwilling to have that thought intrude, Reese blocked it and instead concentrated on the here and now with Alice. “After we’re both nice and clean—”

“And excited.”

Taking the bag of candy from her, Reese tossed it onto the counter. “I’d position you in a way to make it easier. Like this.” He took her wrists, helping her to plant her hands flat on the front of the appliance. “Leave them there, but step back a little. Widen your stance, but keep your legs straight.”

Her ass cuddled into his groin.

Biting off a groan, Reese held her hips. “That’s it. Now arch your back.”

She did, and he thought he’d lose it. He trailed his hands up her taut body, over her waist to her br**sts. “I could take you like this, with the water running over us.” He matched action to words, pressing the hard ridge of his erection to her sweet bottom. “It’s a favored position of mine. I can easily hold your br**sts and play with your ni**les while going deep.”

She groaned.

Giving up, Reese said, “I’m sorry if I upset you.”

Her ni**les were tight, her breath broken and fast. “Okay.”

Damn it, he’d just had her last night, not that many hours ago. But with Alice, it didn’t matter. Each time he had her just made him want her more. “I had to know, Alice.” God, he hated to admit the truth, even to himself, but she left him strung so tight... “I was jealous.” Of a f**king phantom—her white knight.

Another man, one who’d been there—thank God—when she needed him most.

Alice turned so suddenly that they both stumbled. Since he’d been leaning into her, lost in lustful visions, she ended up flattened against the refrigerator, his body crowding into hers. “You were jealous? Seriously?”

Trying to reorder his thoughts, Reese cupped her face. “And worried. I can’t protect you if I don’t know everything.”

“Okay, I get the protection part. You’re a detective.”

Did she think he went around getting intimately involved with every woman who faced danger?

“But...jealous?” she said with a puzzled frown. “Of Trace? With  me?”

That annoyed him. “Why not you? You’re the most fascinating woman I know.”

“Trace saw me only as a victim.”

“Then heroic as he might’ve been, he was also a blind idiot.”

Alice considered that, her thoughts almost transparent. She touched his chest, brushed her hand over his left nipple—which had a very different effect than when Nikki had done it—and she made up her mind.

Smiling, she grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

“To the shower?” Please let it be to the  shower.

“Yes.” She hauled him into the bathroom and went to work on his slacks. “But Reese?”

His pants loosened, and she put her small hand inside, wrapping her delicate fingers around him. He caught his breath. “Hmm?”

“I really enjoy sex with you.”

Damn it, why did that offend him? Because with Alice, he wanted it to be more than just sex.

How much more, he didn’t yet know. But definitely...more. A lot. Maybe...everything.

Thoughts like that were way too heavy for the moment. Reese managed a nod. “Ditto.”

“Please, don’t mess things up by playing games, okay?”

“Maybe not that game,” he conceded. He took her hand and removed it from his person, then bent to lift her nightgown up and over her head. “But there are other games, Alice, games that you’ll absolutely enjoy.”

Naked, excited, she stared up at him. “You’ll show me?”

Hiding his smile, he turned on the shower, took her hand and helped her step inside.

“Give me two minutes to brush my teeth and shave.” He trailed the backs of his fingers over her belly, then lower. Meeting her gaze, he said, “I don’t want to leave you with whisker burns.”

She released a trembling moan and nodded. “Please, hurry.”

So incredibly sweet. So f**king hot. And so trusting—at least with this.

Somehow, some way, he’d earn her trust in all things. But for now, he considered this a great start.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

DESPITE THE FACT that they were headed to a police station, where she was sure she’d be questioned endlessly, Alice felt pretty good. After amazing sex in the shower, she’d fallen back into bed for a nap.

An hour later, she’d awakened in a cocoon of warmth, Reese holding her close to his chest, Cash curled behind her knees. Any movement at all would have disturbed them, so for a while she’d stayed still, relishing the comfort, the nearness.

The sense of being loved.

In a relatively short time, Reese and Cash had both become a part of her world. It seemed impossible to imagine an entire day without either of them. She enjoyed caring for Cash, and even arguing with Reese had its obvious rewards.

Sex in the shower and a nap—who knew that would be the result of a disagreement? For her, it was energizing and fun.

But how did Reese feel about their situation?

He’d be returning to his duties soon. She had her own stack of projects to catch up on. Would they be able to work out a compatible routine?

She glanced at Reese now, driving down the busy streets. Dressed in his work clothes, wearing dark sunglasses, apparently lost in thought, he still made her warm and melty all over.