Page 36 of Cipher

It had only been five days since he announced I was moving into his house, but that was enough time for me to believe he really meant that. Butterflies swirling in my belly, I decided that I wanted to do something for him. Making him a meal seemed like the least I could do, so I headed toward the fridge.

In the mood for stir-fry, I pulled out chicken and vegetables and got to work. A few minutes later, soft music drifted through the speakers. It only took a few beats for me to recognize one of my favorite songs, and I danced around while I chopped the veggies.

Then the next song started, and I froze with the knife in my hand. It was from my playlist, too.

Corbin appeared in the doorway and propped his shoulder against the frame.

“You imported my music library?”

He nodded. “Yup, figured you’d want it.”

I set the knife down and turned to face him fully. “You’re making this place feel an awful lot like my home.”

Corbin crossed the kitchen, coming to a stop only inches from me. “You live here now. The distinction is irrelevant.”

That was such a Corbin way to put it, making me smile. “You’re very sure of yourself.”

“Have good reason to be.”

I wiped my hands on a towel, more because my palms were suddenly sweaty than because they were dirty. “Does it end with the danger?”

His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“All of this.” I gestured back and forth between us. “What happens when I’m safe again?”

One of his hands came up to grip the side of my neck, his thumb resting just under my jaw. “Nothing about us is temporary.”

I stared up, seeing nothing but certainty in his eyes, and I knew I was ready to take the next step. Now was the perfect time we’d been waiting for.

Twirling around, I put the chicken and vegetables back in the fridge. Then I dumped the cutting board in the sink and washed my hands. With that done, I turned back to Corbin, twined my arms around his neck, and went on my toes.

“Fucking hell, baby.” Corbin’s mouth met mine in a deep kiss that stole my breath.

I barely had time to melt into it before he broke away, bent, and tossed me over his shoulder.

“Oh my gosh,” I cried, bracing my hands against his back.

He gently swatted my butt, then used a steadying hand to hold me in place as he strode through the house. “Done fighting this. I fucking need you. Now.”

“Finally,” I panted.

I felt the deep chuckle rumble up his chest as he carried me into the bedroom and kicked the door shut. Then he gently tossed me onto the mattress and followed me down.

Staring up at him, it felt as though my world had been set right again. Then it got even better when he dipped his head and sealed our mouths together in another deep kiss that stole my breath.

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” He trailed his lips along my jaw until he reached my ear.

The moan that bubbled past my lips had his dick hardening even more between us.

He pulled back just a little and looked at me sprawled beneath him. The intensity in his dark eyes made my inner walls clench. The hunger rolling off him told me he was running out of restraint. Then he proved me right by practically ripping the clothes from my body and quickly stripping out of his own.

His gaze raked down my naked body, and the heat in his dark eyes eased my self-consciousness. Although I was fully exposed, I felt totally wanted.

“Damn, baby.”

I stroked my palms up his six-pack abs, resting my left hand on the crowned skull inked on his pec. “Right back at you.”

“I’m a lucky man.” He lowered his muscular body against mine, pressing my back deeper into the mattress. It felt like electricity sparked everywhere our bare skin touched.