“Strength isn’t always what matters.” He glanced across at the two rangers. “Shall we go get set up somewhere?”
He didn’t bother disguising the anticipation in his voice. Eli rolled his eyes and tagged after them.
My gaze went to Aiden. “So we’re free to go now?”
“Yes. Do you want to pick up some takeaway on the way home?”
“Sure, but will anything be open at this hour? Argyle isn’t exactly Melbourne when it comes to trading hours.”
He touched my back, his fingers warm against my spine as he guided me back to his truck. “The burger shop will be open. They do a roaring late-night trade thanks to hungry werewolves coming back from runs.”
I raised my eyebrows. “I’m betting it’s not just running that makes you lot hungry.”
He laughed. “I think you could be right.”
It took us just over half an hour to drive across to Argyle, and another fifteen for the burgers and chips to be made. Thankfully, his home was only a few minutes away from there.
And the burgers were definitely worth the wait.
I stole the last couple of chips and then leaned back in the chair and rubbed my belly. “I’m full to the brim and have never felt better.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“The only thing that could possibly make the night more perfect is a nice hot shower.”
“Not so happy to hear that.”
I raised an eyebrow and then rose, undid my shirt, and tossed it onto the table. “Really? And here I was thinking your shower was big enough for two. Such a shame you don’t feel the need to join me.”
I turned and continued to strip as I headed upstairs, so that by the time I reached the bathroom, I was naked.
Aiden was only a few steps behind me, and also sans clothes.
Once the water was hot enough, I stepped under and then turned and smiled at the man behind me. “Are you coming in, or are you just going to stand there and admire the view?”
He wrinkled his nose, his expression thoughtful. “Tough question.”
I laughed, grabbed his hand, and pulled him under the water. His arms went around my waist and then his lips came down on mine. We kissed, long and hard, as the water drummed our skins and slid down our bodies, tickling and teasing.
After a deliciously long while, he reached for the sponge and began washing my body. And oh, it felt good. More than good. Tortuous, even.
When I couldn’t stand the teasing caress any longer, I grabbed the sponge, soaped it up, and returned the favor. His beautiful body gleamed in the bathroom’s bright light, and the water reverently caressed every muscle. I followed its lead, washing every marvelous inch, until he was quivering as badly as me.
“Enough,” he growled.
He grabbed the sponge and hooked it back over the tap. I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck, my kiss fierce and demanding. He groaned deep in his throat and pressed me back against the tiles, his body hard against mine. Desire and heat burned through us both; even the very air we breathed seemed to be boiling.
He slid his hands down my sides then cupped my butt and lifted me with little effort. I wrapped my legs around his waist and, a heartbeat later, he was in me. It was such utter heaven that neither of us immediately moved. We simply enjoyed the sensations and the heat that rose with this basic joining of flesh. Then that heat became too great to ignore and he thrust deeper—harder—into me, his body moving slowly at first and the
n with growing urgency. It was a dance as old as time, and it was crazy and electric and utterly perfect. Desire flooded me, consumed me, a force so strong it threatened to tear me apart.
And then it did tear me apart, and it was intense and violent and absolutely glorious. A heartbeat later, he followed me over that cliff.
For several seconds, neither of us moved. Then he leaned his forehead against mine, his breathing harsh against my lips. “Damn,” he said. “That was certainly worth the wait.”
I laughed softly. “It was indeed. But I am, unfortunately, feeling utterly content and ready for sleep now.”
“Sleep is never a bad thing.” He cupped his hands either side of my cheeks and kissed me softly. “And there’s always the morning.”