Celine pulled him forward. “You remember Thane.”
He smiled. “Hey, Lauren. Good to see you again.” His gaze moved to Celine. “What are we doing?”
“Going back to Florida.” Celine toyed with a button on his black shirt. “Ari’s worried for nothing. Lauren’s just been busy. She’s good.”
“We won’t be going anywhere tonight.” He wrapped his arm around Celine. “There’s a bad storm coming. It’s already started to pour down.”
“Didn’t we pass a motel a few miles from here? It looked decent.” Celine winked at Lauren.
“Okay.” Thane’s gaze went to the French doors. Rain drizzled down the glass. “Who’s out there?”
Lauren’s heart sped up. “Where? I don’t see anyone.”
“Someone’s in the trees.” Thane boots thudded on the floor as he rushed out to the deck. Celine followed.
Lauren ran after them. “Probably hunters. There’s a pond nearby. I’m sure that’s where they’re going.”
Thane stared down at her. His gaze narrowed. “Hunters going to the pond. It must be an interesting place.”
“It’s”—she willed herself not to fidget—“popular.”
Celine and Thane exchanged speculative looks. The rain picked up. They walked back inside.
Thank you. As Lauren sent up the silent prayer, she resisted looking over her shoulder.
When they reached the front door, Celine appeared reluctant to leave. “I’ll let Ari know I saw you. Make sure you call her, and if you need me for anything you let me know.” Her brow crinkled with a worried expression. “Let me give you Thane’s number, too, just in case. Day or night, whatever it is, you call, and if you need me, I’ll be here no matter what.”
To avoid an argument, Lauren added Thane to her contacts. I’m okay. She willed Celine to know that as she hugged her goodbye.
Celine and Ari would want to kill her for holding out on something this big. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, but she couldn’t betray Reid.
Chapter 11
Reid flattened behind the tree. Rain dripped down his face and drenched his clothing. He’d almost been spotted, but he’d had to get a closer look. Who was the guy on the deck? Why did it not feel right to see him? Was he Samson? If he was Samson, how well did Lauren know him?
“Reid!” Lauren called out to him. “Where are you?”
Was Lauren pretending to care? Was she leading him into some kind of trap?
“Reid!” Her voice cracked. Head down she gripped the railing. Her shoulders shook.
Was she crying? He made it halfway to the deck before she looked up.
Lauren ran down the steps and slammed into him. He rocked back. “You’re here.” She tightened her arms around his neck. “You didn’t leave.”
Why hadn’t he? What was it about her that reeled him in? Reid smoothed damp hair from her face. Her green eyes melted doubt into the falling rain. “I’m still here.”
Rising on her toes, she clasped his nape and brought his lips to hers.
He wrapped an arm around her. Lush curves crushed against him. The delicate bones of her spine pressed into his palm. He dwarfed her in size, but she tore him down with her strength and loyalty. How could she want to protect him, without knowing the cost?
He lifted her by the waist. She rubbed against him. His arousal swelled against her belly. Every time he held Lauren, the need to have her overwhelmed. Around her, he had no control.
He invaded her mouth with his tongue.
Lauren’s moan loosed fire. Softness, heat, sweetness of the wine she’d enjoyed addicted him. He couldn’t get enough of her.
A strong wind showered sheets of rain.
“Inside.” She murmured.
In the cabin, they stumbled into the bedroom. Stripping off their wet clothes led to frustration as their hands and mouths tangled in a feverish rush.
He pressed her down to the mattress. A shiver raced down his spine with the sensation of skin against skin. Their combined body heat melted away the chill of the rain.
He wanted to glide inside of her so badly, but he forced himself to go slowly.
“Reid.” Lauren wiggled underneath him, anxious to fit them together.
Adjusting his position, he intertwined their legs and held her in place. “Shh, it’s okay.” He kissed her tenderly. “There’s no rush. We have all the time in the world.” His gut knotted even as he said the words. His forgotten memories, a boundary he couldn’t name or see, kept them from reaching forward.
He brushed kisses along her temples, her eyelids, her cheeks. Her warmth seeped into his lips as he swept kisses down her neck.
With a soft sigh, she smoothed her palms down his back.
Need, unruly and demanding, pulled and tugged at him. Only gliding deep between her thighs would bring him ease. But he’d promised they had time.