Coulter eased back, staring down at her as if she’d lifted a curse. Maybe saved him from drowning. He thumbed her jaw, the love she felt reflected in his eyes.
He drew in a ragged breath, shifting onto one elbow as he leaned in, kissed her. “You okay?”
She smiled, biting back the three words trying to claw free. “Ask me again once I can feel my toes. Talk about being worth the wait.”
“That’s all you, sweetheart.” He frowned, looking as if whatever he was thinking hurt, before he eased free.
She sighed, already missing the way he made her feel complete.
Coulter chuckled. “Don’t worry. I plan on wrecking you again as soon as I can breathe.”
Her gaze dropped to his ribs. “Shit, it was too soon, wasn’t it. Should I get Darwin?—”
“Neve. I’m fine. And I meant my lungs. I haven’t breathed that hard infiltrating enemy compounds. Christ, what you do to me…” He lowered himself until his side rested on the bed. “I’ll never take you for granted, again. Which starts with a shower, if you want one.”
Neve traced the bands along his arms, humbled by the sheer strength of him. “How about a compromise. You hold me until my heart stops racing, then you can pin me against the wall in the shower. Get me dirty all over again.” She pushed up, nipped at his bottom lip. “Or I can go to my knees. Try to beat your performance.”
“It’s not a competition.”
“Not as long as I’m winning. Though, not sure there’s any way I can lose.”
He rolled his eyes, then rearranged their positions until she was snugged against him, his arm across her back, wrapping her in his protective embrace. “Rest. Recover. Because I plan on doing absolutely filthy things to you in the shower. Then, we’ll get some food. Deal?”
“Deal.”
She rested her head on his chest, his heartbeat slowly drawing her under. And she knew, sooner or later, she’d have to tell him the truth before the words simply broke free.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Coulter sat on the bed, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still dripping onto his back as he braced his elbows on his knees, focused on simply breathing. They’d laid in bed for another twenty minutes before Neve had finally felt like moving. He’d started the shower and gathered the supplies, stepping in with her once the water had warmed. She’d leaned into him, and he’d held her for a few minutes, her heart beating in sync with his, her head a gentle weight against his chest. He’d savored the moment, aware they’d be thrown back into the fray far too soon.
Neve had initiated their next encounter, kissing him like she couldn’t remember how he tasted before going to her knees. In record time, she’d had him primed and working not to shoot down her throat until he’d picked her up, balanced her ass on a tiny excuse for a shelf and pounded into her.
He’d lost track how many times she’d pulsed around him before he’d let go, damn near passed out from the pleasure. Since then…
He’d been floundering. Sitting on the bed wondering how he could love her and be the soldier she needed him to be when all he wanted to do was steal her away — take her somewhere neither Ramsey nor Finch would ever find her.
Somewhere he could guarantee her safety.
Except, that place didn’t exist — not that she’d ever willingly go. He wouldn’t either, but damn, constantly putting her in the line of fire chipped away at his sanity.
“Either you’re regretting the past several hours, or you’re on the verge of an epiphany.”
Coulter looked up as Neve’s voice sounded from the bathroom door. She had a similar towel wrapped around her torso, a few drops of water beading on her skin. He held out his hand, and she crossed the short expanse, moving willingly into his arms.
He closed his eyes, pressed his head to her ribs. “Just thinking.”
“Ramsey?”
“Not quite.”
She raked her fingers through his hair. “About how becoming lovers has put your protective instincts on high alert? That you’re trying to puzzle out how to have my six and keep me on the sidelines at the same time?”
Coulter jerked his head back, staring up at you. “You couldn’t possibly have guessed that.”
“Please, you’ve got a tell. Besides, you’ve been overly protective of all of us since you woke up. And there’s also the fact I want to keep you safe, too. That there’s only one thing I can’t afford to lose...”
He tugged her onto his lap. “I’ll find a way, just…”