It felt like they’d been together hours, but it had all happened in a whirlwind. Pushing her hair off her face, she felt his hand go to her stomach as he moved over her. His lips grazed her skin, teasing the tendrils of hair at the back of her neck.
Even though she was completely exhausted, her neck was a highly erogenous zone. One little touch, and she was ready for more.
His lips touched her ear.
“You were right, Riley.”
She tensed up as his words registered in her head.
“I’m a hitman, and you should never have let me fuck you.”
Chapter Seven
Riley’s eyes were still closed as she stretched out her legs in bed. She felt so comfortable, so completely sated. Then she tensed as her waking mind processed everything that had happened the night before.
I slept with my hot neighbor!
She peeked open her eyes, half wondering if she’d dreamt the whole thing. Shadow was asleep on her bed. Riley studied his back, the way it sloped down from his massive set of shoulders to his tapered waist. His skin was a light golden hue, and the closer she looked, the more she noticed the multitude of old scars. She wanted to run her fingers along those wounds, but didn’t want to wake him.
Everything felt real in the light of day, reality snuffing out the fog of passion. Would he still feel the same way? Or had this always been about sex? Riley wasn’t used to men sticking around or wanting to keep her forever. She refused to put down all her guards with Shadow until she was certain he wouldn’t break her heart.
She remembered his warning from last night. He thought she’d made a mistake by sleeping with him. Riley wasn’t afraid. She knew exactly what he was: a hitman, a killer for hire. If she was smart, she’d run the other way, but she’d never been one to follow the rules. And she wanted him. He was perfect—gorgeous, mysterious, damaged, and the man was a beast in bed. She’d been forced to survive on her own for most of her life, not relying on anyone. Refusing to rely on anyone. But it felt uniquely satisfying being with a man who could take care of her, protect her from anything or anybody. She was tired of fighting, tired of being alone.
Riley started to sit up when Shadow rolled to his back, one arm bent over his head on the pillow. He looked equally stunning and adorable first thing in the morning. In her bed. She dropped back down, holding the sheet over her nudity.
“Hey,” she whispered.
“Morning, beautiful.”
Immediately, she wondered what she looked like. Her hair and makeup would be a disaster. Regardless, the way he assessed her made her feel like the most sought-after woman in the world.
“About last night—”
“You want your key back?” he asked, giving her a cute smirk. He rolled to his side, facing her. With daylight coming in her window, she had a clear view of his elaborate tattoos and all those perfectly defined muscles. God, she wanted to touch him.
“You’d just make another,” she teased. Riley dared to reach forward and trace her finger over one of the inked patterns on his pec. “Tell me about all this. About you,” she said. “You’re so secretive.”
She felt a connection with Shadow, but there were so many layers yet to unravel. Riley didn’t want this to end as a one-night stand.
“Comes with the territory,” he said. His eyes were so dark, and he stared at her as if memorizing the colored flecks in her eyes. She loved how special he made her feel. He pushed up on an elbow and reached out, clutched her head behind the neck, bringing her in for a kiss. She closed her eyes and melted against his lips—the slow, sensual tease bringing her body to life. But she couldn’t fall victim again, not when he was still a complete mystery to her.
“What territory?” asked, pulling back. “You seem to know a lot about me, but I don’t know anything about you.” She licked her lips, combing her fingers through her hair.
“Trust me, you know more than most.” His muscles flexed as he attempted to lean forward to kiss her again. She pressed a hand to his chest to keep him at bay. Every cell in her body wanted to give in, to allow him to dominate her body again. But her heart and mind didn’t want to be forgotten.
“I know you’re a hitman. You work out at one of the sketchiest gyms I’ve ever seen. You put out your garbage the same time every week. That’s about it,” she said. Riley took a risk, praying it didn’t push him away. “I want to know the real you. I want what happened between us to mean something.”
He exhaled, a sound of defeat. “You were in the foster system. So was I,” he said. “That was the start. That’s when my childhood ended.”
She nodded, not able to speak.
“It’s been a rough ride, but we can’t change the past,” he said.
“Your parents?” Riley was terrified to push the wrong button, to make him close up on her. She knew all about memories, the type that weaseled their way into her nightmares. They were better left forgotten, but they still molded her into the person she was. She needed to know what made Shadow tick.
He clearly struggled for words, and she felt guilty for asking. Still, there couldn’t be secrets and mysteries if they wanted more than a relationship consisting of quick dates and hot sex.
“I never met my father. My mother died when I was nine. There’s no one else.”