Page 13 of Hearts Storm

“No, but you’re our best friend,” Mia huffs.

“I’m not texting you every freaking hour, you psychos,” I grouse, snatching my phone away from Ari.

“Fine,” she sighs. “But when you’re done visiting pound town—with what I’m sure, by the look of him, will be within an inch of your life—text us. Promise?”

“Promise.”

The night air is chilly, brushing against my skin as we step out onto the sidewalk.

Warm hand holding mine, Broody gives it a squeeze as he types into his phone with the other. “I’m ordering us a ride share. Your place or mine?”

“Where do you live?”

He shrugs. “Nowhere officially right now. I’m staying at Hotel Indigo.”

Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique hotel situated directly on the Columbia River. I’ve walked past it a few times, but have never ventured inside. Always wanted to though.

“Yours sounds much better than mine.”

A slow, sexy grin spreads across his face. “My place it is.”

eight

A sleek black car pulls up to the curb. The interior is dark and cool, smelling faintly of vanilla as we climb inside. The privacy screen between us and the driver makes it feel even more intimate.

Broody settles in beside me. Even though the car is a large SUV, the backseat is compact and my legs are long, so it’s basically impossible not to touch him.

His knee brushes mine as he takes my hand in his. Lacing our fingers together, he rests our hands in his lap as he shifts, pressing his thigh more firmly against mine. The contact sends a jolt of electricity up my leg, and I suck in a sharp breath, heart hammering against my ribs.

The rest of the ride passes in a haze of tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Every time the car turns or stops, our bodies shift and touch—shoulders grazing, thighs pressing—all while his thumb brushes absentmindedly across my knuckles. Each point of contact sends sparks skittering across my skin, and by the time the car pulls up in front of the hotel, I’m wound so tight I’m about ready to snap.

Paying the driver through the app, he climbs out and extends his hand. Palm warm and calloused against mine, he holds on tight as we walk through the lobby.

Clean lines and mood lighting fill the space, tall windows overlooking the river. It’s beautiful, but I’m too distracted by the man beside me to take the time to fully appreciate it.

His thumb traces small circles on the back of my hand, sending shivers up my arm as he leads us toward the bank of elevators. As we wait, he pulls me to stand in front of him, pressing his chest possessively against my back.

The doors slide open.

Slipping an arm around my waist, he splays a palm over my sternum, fingers brushing the curve of my breasts as he walks us inside, using his body as leverage.

My heart pounds as the doors slide shut, closing us in the small, empty space. Then, before I can blink, he spins me around and pins me against the wall.

“If I do something you don’t like, you’ll tell me, yeah?”

All I can do is nod.

“Words, Angel.”

Oh, fuck. He’s gonna be so much fun.

“Yeah,” I pant, rubbing my thighs together in an attempt to squash the amount of blood thumping against my clit.

His mouth crashes down. Hungry and demanding, his tongue sweeps past my lips as he palms my breast. I gasp into him, hands gripping his shoulders for balance as my knees threaten to buckle.

“Been wanting to do that all night,” he growls against my mouth, pinching a nipple.