Page 105 of Trusting You

She doesn’t have to explain.

“We made it out just fine,” Locke grumbles, but his expression is patient. He knows his sister is worried.

“Where’s your umbrella? Actually, where’s your shirt?”

Locke reaches to the ground and grabs the soaking wet, dirtied shirt. “It was torn in the mob. As for the umbrella….we lost it. As you can see.”

“And—and Ben?” she asks while pushing the door farther to let us in. I’m so slick between my legs, and it’s not rain. I’m worried Astor can tell.

“He’s good.” Locke’s response is curt, but I’m too busy racing up the one flight of stairs and cooling my flushed face down to analyze why.

“Thank God,” Astor says, but doesn’t follow us up. “I brought my stuff with me. I’m ready to go.”

“Thank God,” Locke echoes, but not loud enough for Astor to catch. “Thanks a bunch, sis. I hope Lily wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Are you kidding? That kid’s an angel. She must get it from me.” Astor winks, props open her umbrella, then heads out. Before she disappears, she calls over her shoulder, “But you two kids have fun!”

My head whips to Locke, clumps of wet hair sticking to my mouth. “Do you think she knows?”

“Oh, she definitely knows.” He glances behind me. “Your dress was unzipped the whole time you went up these stairs.”

“Shit. Shit,” I squeak. “But I promised—”

“Forget promises. We’re making too many of those.” Locke’s hands come down on my shoulders, his thumbs slowly drawing the straps down my arms. “I want right now, instead.” He angles his head, and that somehow makes him sexier. “Don’t you?”

I can’t stop myself. “Yes.”

That’s all he needs. With an inhuman flick I didn’t think was possible for mere mortals, my dress is off, and I’m wet and naked in the hallway.

He lifts me against his chest, my legs wrap around his torso, and we topple into the apartment.