Page 27 of Cipher

“You live here.”

Bex stepped closer and rose onto her toes to press a slow kiss against my mouth, giving me enough of her sweetness to make my cock hard before she eased back.

I caught her nape and took another, deeper kiss, stroking my tongue over hers until her fingers closed in my shirt and her body softened against mine. The low sound she made dragged a pulse through my erection. I ended the kiss before the image of her beneath me turned into a plan I no longer had any interest in delaying.

When we returned to the study, I began clearing the shelves nearest the section of table Bex had claimed. I moved the reference books I rarely used, added a desk lamp, and arranged her folders and notebooks within easy reach. The new charging cable ran cleanly beside her place, while a shallow drawer beneath the table gave her somewhere to keep the pens, highlighters, and colorful tabs currently scattered across the wood.

Bex crossed the room, wrapped both arms around my waist, and pressed her cheek against my chest while I settled one hand over the back of her head and the other across her lower back. Her body fit against mine with the same easy certainty it had carried since she woke in my arms. Holding her while all her things brightened the room affected me more deeply than I knew how to explain.

10

BEX

Iwoke up alone, but the smell of coffee and bacon told me exactly where Corbin was. Snagging the black T-shirt he’d left draped on the back of the chair, I pulled it over the camisole I’d slept in. Since he was so much bigger than me, it covered all but the bottom inch of my sleep shorts, which made me grin at my reflection while I was in the bathroom.

It was only my second morning at his house, but my things looked like they’d been here forever. I liked seeing my toothbrush next to his and my favorite shampoo and conditioner in the shower. It somehow made me feel like my stay here really would be permanent.

After getting ready, I followed the scent downstairs and found Corbin at the stove with his back to me. His dark hair was still slightly damp from a shower, and he was only wearing a pair of low-slung sweatpants. Seeing all that tanned skin and the dimples in his lower back above his butt made my belly clench in need.

He turned around when I padded into the kitchen. His gaze raked over me, and heat flared in his eyes. “Morning.”

“Good morning.”

I took in the gloriousness that was his broad chest. In the morning light, I could see his nipple rings and all of his tattoos. The ink that really caught my attention was a geometric emblem on his right shoulder.

When I moved close enough to trace my fingers over the blue and black lines, his gaze dropped to my hand. “Ever think about getting one?”

“Nope, but I really like yours.” I flattened my palm against his shoulder. “What does this one mean?”

“I had the artist blend the Navy cryptologic technician rating badge with some hidden special warfare symbolism so it wasn’t readily recognizable,” he explained, pressing his hand over mine.

I noticed the ink seemed a little faded compared to his other tattoos. “When did you get it?”

“When I was twenty, right after I finished my advanced cryptologic training.”

“Very cool.” I grinned up at him. “Maybe I’ll want to do the same when I finish my studies.”

His dark eyes narrowed. “You trying to be cute while calling me old?”

“I mean…I’m definitely cute.” I wagged my brows and giggled. “But I don’t think you’re old.”

He captured my mouth in a quick but deep kiss. “Good, because you’re not getting rid of me.”

The bacon popped, and he turned to pull out a couple of pieces. As he laid them out on a paper-towel-lined plate, I boosted myself up onto the counter. Then I reached for a piece of bacon.

Corbin caught my wrist before I could steal it. “That one’s mine.”

“You’re cooking a whole package,” I pointed out.

“And that’s the first piece.”

“Looks like the best, too.”

Shaking his head with a sigh, he released my wrist and watched me pop the bacon into my mouth. I made a show of chewing slowly, and his mouth twitched. So I stole a second piece while he turned back to the pan. Then a third.

Corbin shut off the burner and stepped between my knees. He braced both hands on the counter on either side of my hips, caging me in. “You’re a menace.”

“And you like it.”