Page 14 of Collateral Damage

Her full lips curved into a soft smile that said she didn’t believe him. Not even a little.

He would have to find another way to prove it to her, because if there was nothing else he accomplished tonight, he wanted her to know she was beautiful. Fucking perfect.

Wade eased down over her, giving her more of his weight. “I saw you the minute you walked in tonight. Couldn’t look away from you.”

Her skin barely flushed in the dim light filtering through the open blinds on the window. “Should I be worried you’re a stalker?”

The comment was a little too close to the truth. It pushed him up from the bed, trying to put some distance between them. He backed to the window and twisted the slats closed, keeping his eyes on her the whole time. “I promise not to stalk you.”

“Thank you.” The room was too dark to be sure, but she didn’t sound completely grateful for the assurance.

Or maybe he was hoping that was the case. Either way, he would never be able to see this woman again. No matter how much he might want to.

“Can I turn the light on?”

She hesitated. Just for a second. Long enough he knew she wanted to say no.

But she didn’t.

“You can.”

Fuck. If there was anything he would ever admire in another person it was bravery, and that’s what she just gave him. It might sound stupid, but he’d had enough women to know her letting him see everything was a big deal.

Wade walked to the nightstand and clicked on the small lamp. “Okay?”

When he looked at her his lungs nearly stopped working.

Her hazel eyes were open wide but held no fear.

None.

Only unmet need.

He straightened, unable to look away as her gaze stayed on him, unabashedly focused.

He would never ask anything of a woman he wasn’t willing to give. If he wanted to see her then she sure as hell should get to see all of him.

Wade reached behind his head to grab the back of his shirt, tugging the fabric up and over before tossing it onto the chair. Forcing himself not to focus on the packed bag sitting beside it.

Her eyes stayed on him as his pants followed, going to one side with his shoes and socks.

He stood for a minute, watching her, taking in every breath, every flutter of her lashes as her eyes roamed his body. The flush of her cheeks spread rapidly, covering more of the skin he ached to taste. When he couldn’t hold back any longer, his briefs went to the floor.

“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “I wasn’t expecting you to—”

“To what, Sweetheart?” The endearment slipped free of its own volition, and Wade let it go. He couldn’t call her Carly anymore.

It wasn’t her name.

That’s the only reason. The only one he could admit to.

He started to crawl onto the bed, the need to touch her making him edgy, desperate in a way he’d never been.

“To get completely...” She licked her lips. “Naked.” When he froze her eyes snapped to his. “Already.”

“You want me to put them back on?”

“No.” The word was short and pitchy. She shook her head. “No.” This time it was stronger. Sure.