Which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

No, it would be a very, very good thing.

Throwing aside the sheets, she crawled out of bed, shivering lightly as she left the warmth. Heat that was still present from when he’d been lying in bed with her.

She hesitated a moment, eyeing the bathroom, waiting for the telltale sign of steam from the shower. After a few minutes, she heard the water turn on and she quietly made her way to the door.

His shower was huge. Easily big enough for two. Or even three. Completely glassed in with multiple showerheads, one overhead and two jets mounted on the wall. His outline was visible through the fogged glass and she could see him washing himself, his hands drifting lower and lower . . .

She opened the stall door and stepped inside before she lost her nerve. His eyes came open, his hand circled around his cock. He blinked in surprise, but the surprise quickly turned to molten desire. His eyes went liquid and his hand stroked over the length of his cock.

He went from a semi-flaccid stage to erect and straining in two seconds flat. If there was any doubt in her mind that he’d welcome her into his shower, it fled as his body came to life in front of her eyes.

“That’s my job,” she murmured as she slid her hand over his erection, removing his in the process.

“By all means,” he said.

Water streamed down his back and rolled down his gorgeous body. His hair was soaked and she could see it was longer than she thought it was. With the weight of the water, there was no body to it, no slight unruly curl. It hung past his neck to the tops of his shoulders.

“You’re so beautiful,” she whispered as she moved closer so their bodies touched.

The water hit her, pulling her in, the heat an exquisite temptation.

His body tensed and his eyes grew rougher, darker. His arms came around her, molding their bodies together as she continued to caress him with her hand.

“You’re the beautiful one, Bethany. I never get tired of just looking at you.”

She smiled and rolled up on the balls of her feet so she could kiss him.

“I’ve never had shower sex before,” she said huskily against his mouth.

“Then we most assuredly need to remedy that right away.”

She slid down his body to her knees, water raining down over them. She glanced up to see his gaze locked with hers, and then it drifted to his groin, where she caressed him to further hardness.

As light as a hush, her mouth feathered over the mushroomed head, her tongue flicking out to tease the sensitive underside. Drops of water hit her tongue, filling her mouth as she sucked him deeper.

A tortured groan sounded above the spray of the water. His hands went to her hair, now drenched and plastered to the side of her head. He framed her face with his palms and held her tightly as he pushed inside her mouth.

His features were harsh, lines forming at his mouth and at his temples. She could see his chest work up and down, his breath coming in ragged bursts as she worked him deeper, to the back of her throat.

Applying light suction, she took him even deeper, boldly making love to him. He hit the back of her throat and she swallowed. This time he emitted a hiss, the violent expulsion of air loud over the sound of rushing water.

He stroked over her head, then to her cheeks, lightly caressing the lines of her face as her throat worked around him. His touch was infinitely gentle, so tender that her heart squeezed in response.

He was her addiction. Replacing everything else. With him, there was no need for the coping mechanisms of the past. He was her anchor. He was what sex and pills used to be for her. A safe place in a world of uncertainty.

Had she merely traded one addiction for another?

The thought took root in her mind, a shadow that gave her pause. But she shook it off, determined not to let her past ruin what she had with Jace. Right here and now. She was finished living in the past, wasn’t she? Jace had given her new life. He’d made her believe that they were starting new and fresh, that what had been no longer mattered. That it was what was to come that was important.

With everything else he’d given her for Christmas, this was the most precious gift she could ever hope to receive.

She sucked deeply again, pouring every bit of her heart, her feelings for him into her movements. She hoped he could see, could feel what she was giving him. It was the only thing she had to give him. She just hoped it was enough.

Jace’s grip tightened on her face. Then he roughly slid his hands down and underneath her arms. He lifted, hauling her up his body. His mouth met hers in a heated clash that left her gasping for breath.

Then he hoisted her and, in one swift movement, he turned and pressed her against the wall of the shower.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he growled.

The fierce command sent shivers down her spine. Her belly clenched and butterflies took flight in her chest. Already his cock had found her opening and as she hooked her ankles at the small of his back, he plunged, finding his depth in one forceful thrust.

His fingers dug into her buttocks, massaging and molding, holding her open as he pounded into her again. His mouth brushed teasingly against her neck and then he sunk his teeth into the sensitive column, eliciting another gasp from her.

He sucked as he plunged over and over, driving her body against the shower wall. His hands seemed to be everywhere, his mouth driving her insane with lust. She’d have a mark on her neck later, evidence of his possession and the bruising force in which he took her. And yet she wanted more. More strength. More ferocity. It would never be enough.

“Not going to last long, baby,” he said roughly, his voice strained and garbled. “How close are you? Want you there.”

She took one arm from around his neck where she was gripping him tightly and slid her hand between their bodies, down to her clit. As soon as she touched herself, her body coiled into a tight knot.

“Close,” she gasped.

“Good. Get there.”

He leaned into her, trapping her hand between them. She barely had room to caress the taut bundle of nerves between her legs. He pounded into her, driving her against the wall, driving himself deeper into her. She felt bruised and shaken, the force with which he took her overwhelming.

She was his. She truly belonged. To him.

Her thighs shook, her entire body quaked. Desire rose, sharp and edgy. Overpowering. Her climax built into a crescendo that was nearly deafening. The roar in her ears. The pounding of her heart. She screamed hoarsely and then his shout of triumph joined her cries.

He leaned into her, buried deeply, his chest heaving with exertion. He kissed her neck. Her jaw. Then her lips, his breaths mingling with hers.

Dimly, she became aware of the water still rushing over them. The steam was choking, the air so moist it was hard to breathe in.

“Christ,” Jace muttered. “You undo me, Bethany. How the hell am I supposed to even move now, much less finish showering and get to work?”

She smiled against his neck and then let her body slide down the wall until she stood on shaking legs.

“Guess I’ll just have to finish washing you,” she murmured.

“Oh hell no,” he grumbled. “I’m going to wash your hair and then kick you out of my shower. If you put your hands on me again, we’ll never leave the bathroom.”

Her grin broadened and she leaned up to kiss his firm jaw. “I’m not going to argue with a man who wants to wash my hair for me.”

Chapter twenty-nine

When Jace’s car pulled up to her apartment building, he acted as though he were reluctant to let Bethany get out. He held on to her hand for a long moment before leaning over to kiss her. Fierce. Possessive. She struggled to pull in a breath when he finally released her and his gaze glittered, his eyes going dark and sultry.

“I’ll be over when I finish at work.”

She nodded and then opened her door.

“Be careful. The rain is picking up. I don’t want you to get wet.”

She smiled. “A little rain never hurt anyone, Jace.”

“Still, it’s cold. I want you inside quickly so you don’t come down with something.”

She leaned back in to kiss him and then she got out and as he’d requested, she made a dash for the entrance, dodging raindrops as she went. A burst of laughter escaped and she marveled at how happy and light she sounded. She turned just inside the door to see Jace’s car pull away into traffic and she stood staring until it disappeared from sight.

She was about to push in and go up to her apartment when she heard her name.

Frowning, she turned and to her shock, Jack stood a few feet away. He was wet and bedraggled, carrying only his tattered backpack.

“Jack!”

His name came out as a whisper and then she hurried forward, stepping once more into the cold drizzle.

“Jack, what are you doing here?” she asked. “How long have you stood out here?”

He gave her a half smile. “Wasn’t sure when you’d be back. I had the doorman ring up to your apartment yesterday but you weren’t here. So I hung around, hoping to catch you.”

“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry.” Her voice was stricken. And guilt flooded her. While she’d been happy and warm, celebrating the holiday with Jace and his family, Jack had been here, waiting for her in the cold. No place to sleep or be out of the elements.

“Nothing to be sorry for, Bethy. If it’s not a good time, I can come back . . .”

“No!” she said fiercely. “Come inside. You need to get out of the cold. I had no idea you’d come. I’d hoped you would. If I’d known, I would have been here.”

She took his arm, dragging him toward the entrance. When they met the doorman, she thrust her chin up, daring him to pass judgment.

“This is Jack. He’s my brother. I’m giving him a key. If I’m not here and he needs in, you’re to let him pass.”

The doorman respectfully nodded. “Of course, Miss Willis.”

She hurried Jack toward the elevator and winced as he dripped all over the inside. He was shivering and he looked even thinner than the last time she’d seen him. Had he been eating anything at all?

She should have looked after him better. Should have made more of an effort to make sure he was taken care of. She had so much now and it killed her to think of Jack still on the streets. Not when she could provide a place to stay and food to eat.

“Nice place,” Jack muttered when she shoved him inside her apartment.

“Yeah, it is. Go into the bathroom and take a hot shower. I’ll lay out some of Jace’s clothes. They’ll be big on you, but they’ll at least be warm and dry.”

Again that crooked grin as she bustled him into her bedroom.

“Jace the guy who hooked you up with all of this?”

Bethany softened, a smile curving her lips. “Yeah. He’s a good man, Jack. The best. I’m . . . happy.”

Jack reached out to touch her cheek. “I’m glad, Bethy. You deserve to be happy.”

“So do you,” she said fiercely.

His smile was sadder this time. “I’m sorry about what happened. I never meant for you to be involved.”

“I know,” she said in a soft voice. “Now go. Get a shower. I’ll fix you something to eat, okay?”

As Jack disappeared into the bathroom, Bethany pulled out a pair of Jace’s jeans and one of the T-shirts he’d left in her apartment. She found a pair of socks that would fit Jack, wanting his feet to be warm. Shoes. She needed to buy him new shoes. The ones he wore now were threadbare, the soles coming off and there were holes. They were no barrier to the cold.

After leaving the clothing where he could find it, she went back into the kitchen.

She pulled out bacon, a carton of eggs and some ham and cheese. An omelet would be quick and it had lots of protein. She busied herself with the preparation and by the time Jack reappeared, dressed in Jace’s clothes, she had his plate ready.

“You want juice or milk?” she asked when he took a seat at the bar.

He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll drink whatever.”

After pondering a moment, she pulled two glasses down and poured a glass of each. The extra nutrition certainly wouldn’t hurt.

“I can’t stay long,” Jack said. He was already digging into the omelet with gusto. Bethany cringed to imagine when his last good meal had been. “I have shit to see to. I just wanted to see you and leave my pack here, if that’s all right.”

“Of course it’s all right,” she said. “But why can’t you stay?”

“I’ll be back. Just some things I need to take care of and I didn’t want to have my pack. Could get stolen out there. You know how it is. Always someone wanting what someone else has.”

He was vague and it bothered her.

“What’s in the backpack?”

He ignored her question and then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a pill bottle and her stomach clenched.

“I got these for you, Bethy. I know you need them sometimes.”

Her heart began to pound when he slid the bottle across the counter.